
HON. AVILLIAJI CURRENCE CARPER. 



THE 



History of Upshur County 

West Virginia 



From its Earliest Exploration and Settlement 
to the Present Time 



ILLUSTRATED 



yv. B. OUTRIGHT 



INTRODUCTION 



The actual history of Upshur antedates the period of recorded events; re- 
lates to the peoples who lived on this continent prior to its discovery ; embraces 
the epochs of settlement, colonization, nationality and disruption of Virgmia ; 
refers more particularly to the early settlers on the waters of the Buckhannon 
and West Fork rivers and their troubles with the Indians, the local political 
agencies which brought about the formation of the county, her complete records, 
including Upshur's share in the Civil and Spanish-American Wars, the life of her 
people, commercial, industrial, economic, social, educational and religious; also 
the family records of a thousand persons who have taken part in the settlement 
and county periods. 

Within this volume will be found a very instructive chapter on the Birds 
of Upshur, by Rev. Earle Amos Brooks, a native bom son who is authority on 
ornithology and whose reputation spreads to the ends of this nation. 

The plan of this history proper embraces three divisions. The first is a 
condensed history of West Virginia ; the second is an elaborate, carefully-prepared 
county history, and part third is a biography. 

Part First was written by Hu Maxwell, author of county histories of Tucker. 
Randolph and Barbour, and joint author of County History of Mineral and a 
text book on History and Government of West Virginia. 

Parts Second and Third in the fall of 1906 and spring of 1907 and the 
material (much of collected years before) was collected from every available 
source. To those who aided in collecting the data for this book we are indebted 
and for the names of those who assisted in the most substantia! way to make the 
History of Upshur a success, particular reference is directed to family history. 
Buckhannon, W. Va., July i, 1907. 



-7 -^ 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



PART FIRST— STATE HISTORY 



CHAPTER I. 

Explorations West of the Blue Ridge. 

Capt. Batte's Expedition. .Governor Spotswood Reaches the Base of the 
Alleghanies. .The South Branch Valley Explored. .Washington's Surveying Tour 
Alleganies — The South Branch Valley Explored — Washington's Surveying Tour 
..Settlement Forbidden West of the Alleghanies. .Soldiers Attempt to Drive 
Colonists Out. .Settlements on the Ohio and Monongahela — Population of West 
Virginia. .Land Titles. .19-24. 

CHAPTER //. 

Indians and Moundbuilders. 

West Virginia's Territory Uninhabited. .The Mohawk Invasion .. Mound- 
builders and Indians Probably Identical. .Their Origin Unknown. .America Had 
Pre-Historic Inhabitants. .Estimated Number of Indians East of the Mississippi 
..25-28. 

CHAPTER HI. 

The French and Indian War. 

The Scheme of France .. Contest for the Ohio Valley. .The French Build 
Forts — England Interferes. .Washington's Journey to the West. .The French 
Use Force. .English Troops Skirmish with Jumonville. .Battle at Fort Necessity 
..Washington Surrenders. .Braddock's Campaign. .His Defeat and Death- -In- 
dians Attack the Settlements. .Expedition Under Forbes. .Fort Duquesne Falls. . 
France Loses the Ohio Valley. .29-38. 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Dunmore War. 

Causes Leading to Hostilities -• Forerumier of the Revolution. .England's 
Scheme to Intimidate. .The Quebec Act. .Lord Dunmore. .His Greed for Land. . 
Indians Take Up the Hatchet. .Two Virginia Armies Invade the Indian Coun- 
try.. Battle of Point Pleasant. .Treaty at Camp Charlotte. .Alleged Speech of 
Logan. .The Indians Make Peace. .39-46. 



vi TABLE OF CONTENTS 

CHAPTER V. 

West Virginia in the Revolution. 

Meeting at Fort Gower. .Resolutions Passed. .Meetings at Pittsburg and 
Hannastown. .Soldiers from the Monongahela. ..\ttempted Tory Uprisings Sup- 
pressed. . Patriotism on the Greenbrier. .Four Indian .Armies Invade West Vir- 
ginia- • Numerous Incursions. .Cornstalk .Assassinated. .First Siege of Fort 
Henry.. Capt. Foreman Ambushed. .Simon Girty Joins the Indians. .Fort Ran- 
dolph Beseiged. .General C'.ark Marches to the West. .Last Battle of the Revo- 
lution. .Expeditions Against the Indians. .General Wayne Conquers the Savages 
• -47-56. 

CHAPTER VI. 

Subdivision and Boundaries. 

Virginia's Western Territory. .Jealousy of other States. .The Controversy. . 
Virginia Cedes to the General Government Her Territory West of the Ohio.. 
Mason and Di.xon's Line. .Other Boundary Lines. .Contest with Maryland.. 
Virginia's Original Eight Counties. .Table of Population. .57-65. 

CHAPTER VH. 
The Nnvspapers of West Virginia. 

Humble Beginnings. .The First Newspaper. .Others Enter the Field.. 
Ephemeral Character of Country Journalism. .The Editor's Mistakes and Suc- 
cesses. .6670. 

CHAPTER VHI. 
Geogfapihy, Geology and Climate. 

The Rock-History of West Virginia. . Mountain-Building. . Valley-Sculpture 
. .The Plateau of West Virginia. .Influences Acting on Climate. .How Coal was 
Formed.. The Rain Winds and the Rainless Winds. .Rainfall and Snowfall.. 
Formation of Soil. .Fertility and Sterility. .Fertilizing Agents. ..Altitudes in West 
Virginia. .71-82. 

CHAPTER IX. 
Among Old La-^^'s. 

Examination of and Extracts from Virginia's Early Statutes. .Death Pen- 
alty for Petty Crimes. .Cruel Punishments. .Condemned Prisoners Forbidden 
Spiritual Advice. .Law Against Gossiping. .Hog Stealing. .Special Laws for 
Slaves .. Horse Thieves "Utterly Excluded". .Pillories. .Whipping Posts. Stocks 
and Ducking Stools. .Fees of Sheriffs and Constables. .Tavern-Keepers. .Ferries 
. .83-88. 

CHAPTER X. 
Constitutional History. 

The Bill of Rights. .Constitution of 1776. .Freedom of the Press. .Schools 
not Mentioned. .Restricted Suffrage — Constitution of 1830.. Members West of 
the Mountains .Advocate Greater Liberty. .Overruled. . Education Neglected . .Con- 



TABLE OF CONTENTS vii 

stitution of 1852. .Line Drawn Between the East and West .. Property Against 
Men.. West Virginia's First Constitution. .The Slavery Question. .Constitution 
of 1872. .Enlarged Suffrage. .89-104. 

CHAPTER XL 
John Brozvn's Raid. 

His Purpose.. The Attempt. .Capture, Condemnation and Execution .. 105- 
108. 

CHAPTER XH. 
The Ordinance of Secession. 

Causes of Beginning. .The Richmond Convention. .Delegates from Western 
Virginia. .Stormy Sessions. .The Vote. .Western Delegates Secretly Leave Rich- 
mond. .Virginia Seizes United States Property. . 109-1 12. 

CHAPTER Xni. 

The Reorganised Government of Virginia. 

Mass Meetings West of the Alleghanies. .First WHieeling Convention .. Its 
Members . . Vote on the Ordinance of Secession . . Second Wheeling Convention . . 
The Delegates. .New Ofificers Chosen for Virginia. .113-119. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Formatioti of West Virginia. 

The United States Constitution Provided a Way . . The Several Steps . . Pres- 
ident Lincoln's Opinion. .The Bill Signed. .120-125. 

CHAPTER XV. 

Organising for War. 

Call for V^olunteers by \'irginia. .Troops Sent Across the Alleghanies. .Mus- 
kets Sent to Beverly by the Confederates. .Guns frfom Massachusetts Reach 
Wheeling. .Federals Cross the Ohio. .Fight at Philippi. .Confederates Fortify in 
Randolph. .General Garnett in Command- General McClellan Arrives. .Defeat 
of the Confederates at Rich IMountain. .Gamett's Retreat. .126-137. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Progress of the War. 

General Lee in West Virginia. .Expedition Against Cheat Mountain and 
Elkwater. .General Loring's Army. .Movements in the Kanawha Valley. .Quar- 
rel Between Generals Wise and Floyd. .Federals Defeated at Cross Lanes- -Con- 
federates Worsted at Gauley Bridge. . Further Fighting. .Contest for the Balti- 
more and Ohio Railroad. .Governor Letcher's Proclamation. .138-146. 



PORTRAITS AND ILLUSTRATIONS 



PAGE. 

Anderson, Joseph • • 399 

Ash Camp Rock 230 

Beans' Mill and Bear Den Rock • • 333 

Beer, Dr. O. B 390 

Bennet, Silas 398 

Bennet, Vernon Lee 457 

Boreman, A.I 390 

Brown, Eugene 391 

Bridge, Stone and Dirt Road 203 

Bush's Fort 196 

Carper, W. C Frontispiece 

Carper Church 216 

Clark, A. B 604 

Conference Seminary 271 

College, West Virginia Wesleyan 271 

Courtney, John T 262 

Court House, New 279 

Court House, Old 279 

Cutright, W. B 174 

Cutright, G. S., Family 270 

Cutright, Lyman 190 

Crites' Mill at Selbyville 231 

Dailey, James 605 

Darnall, H. A 391 

Downes, J. M. N 391 

Famsworth, Gov. D. D. T 360 

Farnsworth, J. J 263 

Farnsworth, Thomas J 446 

Farnsworth, Dr. Thomas G 398 

Farnsworth, Professor B. U 190 

Fleming, G. M 391 

Fidler, W. F.'s Family 278 

Fidler's Mill 278 

French Creek Institute 268 

Graham, Sanford 400 

Gould, Aaron, Sr 390 

Gould, Benjamin 456 

Hanging Rock 332 

Hall, D. OB 605 

Hamner, William E 464 

Heavner, Major Jacob 472 

Herd of Graded Cattle 202 

Hiner, Charles E 464 



xii PORTRAITS AND ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE. 

Hinkle, Job 481 

Hinkle, Margaret Hadden (Jackson) 481 

Hinkle, Foster, and wife 480 

Hyre, Jacob's Grist Mill 276 

Jackson, Minter J 465 

Kiddy, Arthur Glasgow 456 

Leonard, Levi 248 

Leonard, Ebenezer 496 

Leonard, Wealthy Gould 496 

Lewis, H. Q 390 

Ligget, Thomas J 262 

Lorentz, Jacob's Pack Train 319 

Marple, Granville D 465 

Martin, W. T 605 

Mearns, William 263 

Moore, Oscar L 540 

Morgan, Isaac 207 

Morgan, J. J 398 

Neflf, Henry 399 

O'Brien, W. S 54° 

Phillips, Spencer 532 

Phillips, Lothrop 532 

Phillips, Walter 533 

Phillips, Ernest .• 533 

Poe, David 541 

Pringle Bros, and Sycamore Tree 177 

Racoon Meeting House 332 

Regar, John, Sr., Major Abram and John W 544 

Regar, John, Sr., and daughter, Barbara 326 

Rexroad, R. B., and family 206 

Rohrbaugh, Simon 398 

Ross, Charles 541 

Reger Mill on Spruce Run ■. . .231 

Smith, John L 386 

Sexton, F. P 400 

Smith, Joseph C 457 

Stockert, Gustave F. and wife 576 

Strader, Rev. Perry S 54o 

Strader, John, and wife 480 

Southdown Sheep 202 

Talbott, Sen. W. D 604 

Tenney, A. M., Jr 604 

Teter, Alva, and wife 327 

Westf all. Homer, and wife 207 

Young, Hon. U. G 604 

Young, Hon. U. G.'s residence 270 

Zickefoose, A. J 605 



PART FIRST 

State liistory 



CHAPTER L 



EXPLORATIONS WEST OF BLUE RIDGE, 

It is impossible to say when and where the first white man set foot on 
the soil of what is now West Virginia. In all probability no record was 
ever made of the first visit. It is well known that adventurers always push 
into new countries in advance of organized exjiloring parties: and it is likely 
that such was the case witli West AHrginia when Tt was onlv an unnamed 
wilderness. Probalily th.- Ir,(li;ius who waged war with the early colonists 
of Virginia carried pii^oncis iiHiMhis region on their hunting excursions. 
Sixty-five years were rc,|uiiv>l tui-th.' colonists of Virginia to become suijer- 
ficially acquainted with the ccunlry as far west as the Blue Ridge, which, 
until .June, 1670, was the .■xiivmr limit of explorations in that direction. 
The distance fj'diii .Iani.'sl;i\vii, Ihc first colony, to the base of the Blue 
Ri(l--i\ was twci hinulivd miles. Nearly three-quarters of a century was 
riMluii'cd In |jus|] llif ()ut|)!)sls <if civilization two hundred miles, and that, 
too, across a country favorable for exploi-atioii, and with little danger from 
Indians during most of the time. In lat.T y.ai-s ihe outposts of civilization 
moved westward at an avei\age yearly rate of se\-e!iteen miles. The people 
of A^nginia were not satisfied to allow the Blue Ridge to remain the bound- 
ary l)ci\\i(ii the known and unknown countries; and in 1670, sixty-thi-ee 
yiMJs alter the first settlement in the State, the Governor of Virginia sent 
out an exploring party under ('ai)tain Henry Batte, with instructions to 
cross the mountains of the west, seek- for silver and gold, and try to dis- 
cover a river flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Early in June of that year, 
1670, the explorers forced tlie lieiglits of the Blue Ridge which they found 
steep and rocky, and descended into the valley west of that range. They 
discovered a river flowing due north. The observations and measurements 
made by these explorei-s ]„M-liaiis satisfied the royal Governor who sent 
them out; but their a.-eura.y may !»■ (|nestioned. They reported that the 
river which they had .lis.'..\ cie.l was Uhw hundred and fifty yards wide; its 
banks in most places one tlioiisaud yards higli. Beyond the river they said 
they i-oiil(l see toweriii,-- iiioiiiilaiiis (iestitute of trees, and crowned by white 
clrits, hidden mueli of llie time in mi.^t, Ijul occasionally clearing sufficiently 
to give a glimpse of their ruggedness. They expressed the o]>inion that 
those unexplored mountains might contain silver and gold. They made no 
atteinj>t to cross the river, but set out on their I'eturii. From their account 
of Ihi' 1)road rivei- ami ds baiik-s llioiisaiids of feet high, one might suppose 
that tliey had dis<-o\-ered I he ( 'anyoii of I lie Colorado; but it was only New 
River, iiie principle i ri bill a iw of the i\aiiawha. The next year, 1671, the 
Governor of Virginia sent explorers to continue the work, and they 
remained a considerable time in the valley of New River. If they penetra- 
ted as far as the present territory of West Virginia, which is uncertain, 



20 EXPLORATIONS WEST OP THE BLUE RIDGE. 

they isrobably crossed the line into what is now Monroe or Mercer Counties. 

Forty five years later, 1716, Governor Spotswood, of Virginia, led an 
exploring party over the Blue Ridge, across the Shenandoah River and to 
the base of the Alleghany Mountains. Daring hunters and adventurers no 
doubt were by that time acquainted with the geography of the eastern part 
of the Slate. Be that as it may, the actual settlement of the counties of 
Jeft'orson, Berkeley, Morgan, Hampshire and Hardy was now at hand. The 
gap ill du' TMui' Ridg.' at Ilai'per-s Perry, made by the Potoinac l>ivaking 
tlir(iii,'_rli lliat ran-c was sdou discovered, and through that i-dcK-y .irali'way 
the early set Hits IuuikI a jiatli into the Valley of Virginia, wlicnci' sdiiic of 
tliem ascciidi'd tln' Shciiaiidoah to Winchester and above, and others con- 
tinued up the I'cldiiiai'. i>ccn|i.\ing Jefferson County and in succession the 
counties aliiixf; and bidurc many years there were settlements on the South 
Branch i>i tlie Potomac. It is known that the South Branch was exjilored 
within less than nine years after Governor Spotswood's expedition, and 
within less than thirteen years there were settlers in that county. 

Lord Fairfax claimed the teri-itory in what is now the Eastern Panhandle 
of West Virginia. But his boundary lines had never been run. The grant 
called for a line drawn from the head of the Potomac to the head of the 
Ra|i|ialiaiin(i(k. Several years passed before it could be ascertained where 
tilt' rmnitaiiis of those streams were. An exploring party under WiUiam 
]\rayc> liacrd tlie Potomac to its source in the year 1736, and on December 
14 of iliai \cai- ascfrtaiucd and niark-cd {]](' sjiot where the rainfall divides, 
pai1 llowinir iido llir I'otoiiiac and |iai1 into Cheat River on the west. This 
spot was sclccli'd as the coiau'i' of Lord Fairfax's land; and on October 17, 
174G, a stone was planted there to iwAvk the spot and has ever since been 
called the l<\iirfa.\ Stone. It stands at the corner of two states, Maryland 
and West \"iii.'inia, and of four counties, Gai-rett, Preston, Tucker and 
Grant. II is alionl lialf a mile north of the station of Fairfax, on the West 
VirginiaCiiiii al and I 'i It sburg Railroad, at an elevation of three thousand 
two liundri'd and sixteen feet above sea level. 

George Washington siient tlie summers of three years surveying the 
estate of Lord Fairfax, partly in West Virginia. He began work in 1748, 
when he was sixteen, and perseciiied it with ability and industry. There 
were other sni-veyors eiiiployi'd in the work as well as he. By means of 

this occupaiicn lie lieca aci|iiaiiited with the fertility and resources of tlie 

newcountrw and lie afterwards lieeaine a large land-holder in West Vir- 
ginia, one of his holdings lyinir as far west as the Kanawha. His knowledge 
of the eoiiiili-y no doubt had soiiielhiiiL;- to do willi t he orLranizal ion of the 
Ohio ('oiii])any in 174U, which was .^--ranted .".()i ),()()() acres hetwe.'ii the Monon- 
gahela ami I he Kanawha. Lawrence Washington, a half brother of Cieorge 
WashiiiLjIon. was a member of the Ohio Company. The granting of land 
in this weshrn country no doubt had its weight in hastening the P''rench 
and Indian War of 17.'^, bv wliich Eiiirland arcinin^d i)ossession of the Ohio 
Vallev. The war would ha\e,-<,ine sooner or later, and England would have 
secured the Ohio \'alh>y in the end, and it would have passed ultimately to 
th<' Ilnile<l Stat.'s: bill the e\ciits wei'e hastened hv Lord Fairfax's sending 
the youthful Washiii-loii to survey his lands near 'the Potcmiac. Whih' en- 
gaged in this work, Washington f reiiuent ly met small parties of friendly 
Indians. The presence of these natives was not a rare thing in the South 
Branch country. Trees are still pointed out as the corners or lines of sur- 
veys made by Washington, 



EXPLORATIONS WEST OP THE BLUE RIDGE. 21 

About this time the lands on the Greenbrier River were attracting 
attention. A large grant was made to the Greenbrier Company; and in 
1749 and 1750 John Lewis surveyed this region, and settlements grew up in 
a short time. The land was no better than the more easily accessible land 
east of the Alleghany Mountains; but the sjiirit of adventure which has 
al\\a\'s liccn characteristic of the American people, led the daring pioneers 
iiilo I he wilderness west of the mountains, and from that time the outjiosts 
of settlements moved down the Greenbrier and the Kanawha, and in twenty- 
two years had reached the Ohio River. The frontiersmen of Greenbrier 
were always foremost in repelling Indian attacks and in carrying the war 
into the enemy's country. 

The eastern counties grew in population. Prior to the outbreak of the 
French and Indian War in 1755, there were settlements all along the 
Potomac River, not only in Jefferson, Berkeley and Hampshire, but also in 
Hardy, Grant and Pendleton Counties. It is, of course, understood that 
those counties, as now named, were not in existence at that time. 

The Alleghany Mountains served as a barrier for awhile to keep back 
the 1i(]c of fiiji;;i'ution from the part of the State lying west of that range; 
but w hell j)i-aif was restoi'ed after the French and Indian War the western 
vallt'ys so<jn had their settlements. Explorations had made the country 
fairly well known prior to that time as far west as the Ohio. Immense 
tracts of land had been granted in that wilderness, and surveyors had been 
sent to mark the lines. About the time of the survey of the Greenbrier 
country, the Ohio Company sent Christoi^her Gist to explore its lands 
already granted and to examine West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky for 
choice locations in view of obtaining future grants. Mr. Gist, a noted char- 
acter of his time, and a companion of Washington a few years later, per- 
formed his task well, and returned with a rejjort satisfactory to his em- 
ployers. He visited Ohio and Kentucky, and on his return passed up the 
Kanawha and New Rivers in 1751, and climbed to the summit of the ledge of 
rocks now known as Hawk's Nest, or Marshall's Pillar, overhanging the 
New River, and from its summit had a view of the mountains and inhospit- 
able country. 

In speaking of the exploration and settlement of West Virginia, it is 
worthy of note that the Ohio River was explored by the French in 1749; but 
they attempted no settlement within the borders of this State. 

Had Virginia allowed religious freedom, a large colony would have been 
planted on the Ohio Company's lands, between the Monongahela and the 
Kanawha, about 1750, and this would probably have changed the early his- 
tory of that part of West Virginia. A colony in that territory would have 
had its influence in the subsequent wars with the Indians. And when we 
consider how little was lacking to form a new state, or province, west of 
the Alleghanies about 1772, to be called Vandalia, it can be understood what 
the result might have been had the Ohio Company succeeded in its scheme 
of colonization. Its plan was to plant a colony of two hundred German 
families on its land. The settlers were to come from eastern Pennsylvania. 
All arrangements between the company and the Germans wove satisfactory, 
but when the hardy Germans learned that they would be in lln- luoviuce of 
Virginia, and that they must become members of the Eui^'lisli Clmrch or 
suffer persecution in the form of extra taxes laid on dissenters by the Eins- 
copacy of Virginia, they would not go, and the Ohio Company's colonization 
scheme failed. 



S2 EXPLORATIONS WEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE. 

Another effort to colonize the lands west of tlie Alleprhanies, and fi-ora 
which much min:ht have come, also failod. This att<Mii]it was miulc l)y Vir- 
ginia. In IT")!; the "House of Hui-.-^-css.'S (.tlrrcd i'i-< -t.^sta ii1 s.-tt I.ts west of 
the Alleglianies, in Au,u:usta c<>un1\-, Icii yi'ai'.s' cxcnipliiiii I'l-oiii taxes: aiid 
the offer was sul)S(H(U('ii1ly incicascil to liilcm ycais' cMMiiiilioii. Tlic wai' 
with the Preneli an.l Indians i.ut a sin], to all coiduiy.alion iM'ojccts. Vir- 
ginia hadenou.<,'h lo do lakiiiL'-carc dl' lici' scH Irincuts aloiiL; \\\r western bor- 
der without inert M si I i,a- 1 \\>- task by advaneiuK tlie frontier sevunty-tive miles 
westward. Tlie Hist settlement, if the occupation by three white men may 
be called a settlt'inent. on the Monongahela was made about 1752. Thomas 
Eckerly and two brolheis, from eastern Pennsylvania, took up their home 
there to escajie military duty, they being opposed to war. They wished to 
live in jjeace remote from civilized man, but two of them fell victims to the 
Indians while the third w^as absent. Prior to 1753 two families had built 
houses on the headwaters of tiie Monongahela, in what is now Randolph 
County. The Indians murdered or drove them out in 1753. The next set- 
tlement was by a small colony near Morgantown under the leadership of 
Thomas Decker. This was in 17."if^, wliile the French and Indian War was 
at its height. The colony was exteiiniiiatid liy Indians. 

In 1763, October 7, a proclamation was issued by the King of England 
forbidding settlers from taking up land or occupying it west of the AUe- 
ghanies until the country had been bought from the Indians. It is not 
known what caused this sudden desire for justice on the ]mrt of the king, 
since nearly half the land west of the Alleiihanies. in tJiis Slate, had already 
been granted to companies or indi\ idn.als; and, since ;he Indians did not 
occupy the land and there was no tribe within reach of it with any right to 
claim it, either by occupation, conquest or discovery. Governor Fauquier, 
of Virginia, issued three proclamations warning settlers west of the moun- 
tains to withdraw from tlie lands. No attention was paid to the proclama- 
tions. The Governors of Virginia and I'ennsyU ania were ordered, 1705, to 
remove the settlers by force. In ITfiii and the next yeai' snldiers from Fort 
Pitt, now Pittsburg, were sent into West Virginia to ili.-5possess the settlers. 
It is not ijrobable that the snldiers were over-zealous in carrying out the 
commands, for the injustice and nonsense of such orders must have been 
apjmrent to the dullest soldier in the West. Such settlers as were driven 
away returned, and affairs went on as usual. Finally I'ennsyvania bought 
the Indian lands within its borders; but Virginia, alter that date, never paid 
the Indians for any lands in West VirgiTiia. Tin- inrenMing order was the 
first one forbidding settlements in West A'irginia noith ol the K'anawliaand 
west of the Alleghanies. Anniher ordei- was is^ned ten years later. Both 
were barren of results. The second will be siwlcen of more at length in 
the account of the incorporation of part of Ohio in the Pi'ovince of Quebec. 
Settlements along the Ohio, above and below Wheeling, were not made 
until six or seven years after the close of tlie French and Indian War. 
About 1769 and 1770 the Wetzels and Zanes tool: np land in that vi.inily, 
and others followed. Within a few years W'heelini^- and t he teiTilni\\ aliove 
and below, formed the most ■i)ros])erous cnnnnunitx west of Iht' Alleghanies. 
That part of the State sntfered from Indians who <anie from Ohio, but the 
attacks of the savages could not lirealc up the settlements, and in 1790, five 
yeai's before the close of the Indian war, Ohio County had more than five 
thousand inhabitants, and Monongalia had nearly as many. 

During the Revolutionary War parts of the interior of the State were 



EXPLORATIONS WEST OP TtlE BLUE RIDGE. 23 

occulted by white men. Harrison County, in the vicinity of Clarksburg and 
further west, was a tloui-ishing' community four or five years before the 
Revolution. Si't11ci-s pnsli.Ml ii]> the West Pork of the Monongahela, and 
the site of Weston, in Tjcwis ( 'oiuity, was occupied soon after. Long before 
that time frontiiM-sini Ml liad tln/ir cabins on the Tygart Valley River as far 
south as the site of l!i>\rily, in Randolph County. The first settlement in 
Wood County, ncai- I •arl<i'rsburg, was made 1773, and the next year the site 
of St. George, in Tuck-i'i- County, was occupied by a stockade and a few 
houses. Monroe County, in the soutlieasternpart of the state, was reclaimed 
from the wildei'uess fifteen years before the Revolution, and Tyler county's 
first settlement dates bacli to the year 1776. Pocahontas was occuijied at a 
date as early as any county west of the Alleghanies, there being white set- 
tlers in 1749, but not many. Settlements along the Kanawha were pushed 
westward and reached the Ohio River before 1776. 

The population of West Virginia at the close of the Revolution is not 
Icnown. Perhaps an estimati- dl thiiiy-five thousand would not be far out 
of the way. In 1790 the puinilalinn dl' the territory now forming We.st Vir- 
ginia was 55,873; in 1800 it was 7^, •''.)!', a '.rain of nearly forty per cent, in 
ten years. In 1810 the ijopulaiion was in,"i,4ii9, a gain of thirty-five per 
cent, in the decade. The 2J0i)uiati(.)n in l^i'n was 1:!(),7(')H, a gain of nearly 
twenty-three per cent. In 1830 there wi' re I7ii,'.*i'i, a gain in ten yeai's of 
over twenty-two jaer cent. In 1840 the p(>i)nlati(>n was i.'"_'4,ri.';7, a gain of 
more than twenty-one per cent. The population in Is^jO was 30i',313, a gain 
in the decade of more than twenty-five per cent. In i860 the ^jopulation 
was 376,388, a gain of more than twenty-two per cent. In 1870 the popula- 
tion was 442,014, a gain in ten years of nearly fifteen per cent. In 1880 the 
poi)ulation of tlie State was 618,457, a gain of twenty-six per cent. In 1890 
the population of the State was 762,794, a gain of more than twenty-three 
l^er cent, in ten years. 

Land was abundant and cheap in the early days of West Virginia set- 
tlements, and the State was generous in granting land to settlers and to 
companies. There was none of tlie formality required, which has since been 
insisted ujDon. Pioneer's usually located on such vacant lands as suited 
them, and they attendcfl tn securing a title afterwards. What is usually 
called the "touialuiwlc right" was no right in law at all; but the persons 
who had sucli supjiDsi'd i-ights were usually given deeds for what they 
claimed. This process (•(insisted in deadening a few trees near a spring or 
broolc, and cutting tlie claimant's name in the bark of trees. This done, he 
claimed tlic iidjaccnt land, and his right was usually respected l)y the fron- 
tier ijeopie, liut there was very naturally a limit to his pretensions. He 
must not claiui too much; and it was considered in his fa\or it he made some 
improvements, such as jjlanting corn, within a reasonable time. The law 
of Virginia gave such settler a title to 400 acres, and a pre-emption to 1,000 
more, adjoining, if he built a log cal)in on the claim and raised a crop of 
corn. Coiiiuiissioners were a| ipoint ed from time to time, some as early as 
1779, who \isit<'(i <iii1ereni >ei i leiueuis and gave certificates to tho.se who 
furnished sati.sfaclory pi'ooi' that they had complied with the law. These 
certificates were sent to Richmond, and if no jirotest oi- contest wa,s filed in 
six months, the settler was given a deed to the hind. It can thus be seen 
that a tomahawk right could easily be merged iuLo a settler's right. He 
could clear a little laud, build his hut, and he usually obtained the land. 
The good locations were the first taken, and the poorer land was left until 



24 _ EXPLORATIONS WEST OP THE BLUE RIDGE. 

somebody wanted it. The survey.s were usually made in the crudest man- 
ner, often without accuracy and without ascertaining whether they over- 
lapped some earlier claim or not. The foundation was laid for many future 
law suits, some of which may still be on the court dockets of this State. It 
is said that there are places in West Virginia where land titles are live 
deep. Some of them are old colonial grants, stretching perhaps across two 
or three counties. Others are grants made after Virginia became a mem- 
ber of the United States. Then follow sales made subsequently by parties 
having or claiming a right in the land. The laws of West Virginia are such 
that a settlement of most of these claims is not difficult where the metes 
and bounds are not in dispute. 

After the Revolution Virginia sold its public land usually in the follow- 
ing manner: A man would buy a warrant, for say ten thousand acres, and 
was given a certificate authorizing him to locate the land wherever he could 
find it. He could select part of it here, another part there, or he could sell 
his warrant, or part of it, to some one else, and the purchaser could locate 
the land. Land warrants were often sold half dozen times. There were 
persons who grew wealthy buying warrants for large tracts, from fifty 
thousand to one hundred thousand acres, and selling their warrants to dif- 
ferent parties at an advanced price. Nearly all the land in West Vii-ginia 
west of the AUeghanies, if the title is traced back, will be found to have 
been obtained originally on these land warrants. The most of the land east 
of the AUeghanies was originally granted by the King of England to com- 
panies or individuals. This title is called a "Crown Grant." Thei-e are 
also a few "Crown Grants" west of the AUeghanies, but the most of the 
land west of the mountains belonged to the State of Virginia at the close of 
the Revolution. None of it ever belonged to the United States. 



CHAPTER 11, 



INDIANS AND MOUNDBUILDERS, 

Indians enter largelj' into the early history of the State, and few of the 
early settlements were exemjit from their visitations. Yet, at the time 
West Virginia first became known to white men, there was not an Indian 
settlement, village or camp of any considerable consequence within its 
bcH'ders. There were villages in the vicinity of Pittsburg, and thence north- 
ward to Lake Erie and westward into Ohio; but West Virginia was vacant; 
it belonged to no tribe and was claimed by none with shadow of title. There 
were at times, and i^erhaps at nearly all times, a wigwam here or there 
within the borders, but it belonged to temporary sojourners, hunters or fish- 
ermen, who exjjected to remain only a shoi't time. So far as West Virginia 
is concei-ned, the Indians were not dispossessed of it by the white man, and 
they were never justified in waging war for any wrong done them within 
this State. The white race simply took land which they found vacant, and 
dispossessed nobody. 

There was a time when West Virginia was occupied by Indians, and 
they were driven out or exterminated; but it was not done by the white 
race, but by other tribes of Indians, who, when they had completed the 
work of destruction and desolation, did not choose to settle on the land they 
had made their own by conquest. This war of extermination was waged 
between the years 1656 and 1672, as nearly as the date could be ascertained 
by the early historians, who were mostly missionaries among the tribes 
further north and west. The conquerors were the Mohawks, a fierce and 
powerful tribe whose place of residence was in western New York, but 
whose warlike excursions were carried into Massachusetts, Virginia, Penn- 
sylvania, West Virginia, and even further south. They obtained firearms 
from the Dutch colonies on the Hudson, and having learned how to use 
them, they became a nation of conquerors. The only part of their con- 
quests which comes within the scope of this inquiry was their invasion of 
West Virginia. A tribe of Indians, believed to be the Hurons, at that time 
occupied the country from the forks of the Ohio southward along the 
Monongahela and its tributaries, on the Little Kanawha, on the Great 
Kanawha and to the Kentucky line. During the sixteen years between 
1656 and 1672 the Mohawks overran the country and left it a solitude, ex- 
tending their conquest to the Guyandotte River. There was scarcely a 
Huron left to tell the tale in all this State. Genghis Kahn, the Tartar, did 
not exterminate more completely than did those Mohawks. If there were 
any Huron refugees who escaped they never returned to their old homes to 
take up their residence again. 

There is abundant evidence all over the State that Indians in consider- 
able numbers once made their home here. Graveyards tell of those who 



26 INDIANS AND MOUNDBUILDERS. 

died in times of peace. Graves are numerous, sometimes singly, sometimes 
in large aggregations, indicating that a village was near by. Flint arrow- 
lioails ar(> round i'\-cry\\ii»'ri', l)Ut ari' iiKirc numerous on rivi'i- bottoms and 
on l(.'\-(.'l lii,nd ncir s|ii-in!4-s, wlici'c Nillan'fs and camps would most lilci'ly be 
located. Tlic houses of th.' t rilx'siiii^ii uciv built of the most lliuisy luate- 
rial, and no traces of them ai-<' loiind, (■xcc])t lircplaci's, which may occa- 
sionally Ijc located on accouii! of chai'i-oal and ashes which i-emain till the 
present dtiy a-nd may be uneailluMl a fool oi- more helow the surface of the 
ground. iJound those tiivs, it the imaM'inal ion nia.v fal<ethe place of his- 
torical records, sal llie wild huntsmen after the chase was over; and while 
they cook. H I theirvenison 1 hey tai lanl ot the past and planned for the future, 
but how long ago no man knows. 

As to who occupied the country before the Hurons, or how long the 
Hurons held it, history is silent. There is not a legend or tradition coming 
down to us that is wortliy of credence. There was an ancient race here 
which built mounds, and the evidence found in the mounds is tolerably con- 
clusive that the peo]ile who built them were hei'e long before any Indians 
with whicli we ai'i' aii|nainted. But the concensus of o]iinion among schol- 
ars of today is ihat the Indians and Moun<ll>uilders were the same people. 
All piisitixc e\idence points to that conclusion, while all negative evidence 
gives way upon being investigated. It th<- (heoi-y of some writers were sub- 
stant iaiecl, namely, that the Moundbuilders wei'e related to the jieoples who 
built thi' pvraniids in Mexico and Central America, it would still show the 
]\1oiiiuil>uil(le,s to have l-.eeii Indians; for, notwithstanding marked differ- 
ences in indiistrv, civilization and languages, the Aztecs and Mayas of 
Mexico were and are Indians as ti'ulyas tlie Turk is a Mongolian. The 
limits of this work will not jiermit an extended discnssi(m of the puzzling 
question of the origin oi the Indians. It is a, question wdiich history has 
not answered, and pei-haps never will answer. It the answer ever is given 
it will prohaldybe by geology, for history cannot reach so far into the past. 
Th.e lavoiit<' conclu.sion of most authors formerly was that America was 
peopled ironi Asia by way of Bei-ings Strait. It could have been done. 
But the hyi)othe.sis is as reasonable that Asia was peopled by emigrants 
from America who crossed Berings Strait. It is the same distance across, 
going west or couiing east; and there is no historical e\ idence that America 
was not ]ieo|ile(| lirst; or that both the old world and lb.' new wei-.. not peo- 
Ijled at the same t i me, or that each was not pen pled independently of the 
other. Since the dawn of history, and as far back- into pichi^torit times as 
the an:ilysis of languages can throw any light, all gi-eal migrations have 
been wesiward. No westward migration would have gi \cn America its in- 
hai>itaids from Asia; but a migration from the west won Id ha\-e [leojjled 
Asia from America. As a matter of fact, Berings Strait is so narrow that 
the ti'ibes on either side can cross to the other at pleasure, and with less 
difticulty tiian the Auiazon river can be crossed near its mouth. It was long 
the opinion of ethnologists that a comparison of the gi-amniatical constiaic- 
tion of a iaiv^e namber ol' the Indian languages would reveal ( hai'acteristies 
showing that all had a. connnou origin. But the studs has been l>ari-en of 
results up to tlie present time. The language of the Indians is a i>uzzle, 
unless it Ije acce])l:ed as true that there is no common Ihread through all 
leading to one .source. Thej'e were eight Indian languages east oi the Mis- 
sissippi at the coming of the Europeans. 

The fact is so well established that it admits of no doubt that America 



St. I.nAv 


-rciice 


til.' S1;|1 


[.".,r w 


all 111.' 


In.liaii.' 



INDIANS AND MOUNDBUILDERS. 27 

was occupied by man long before the dawn of history in the old world or 
the new. Stone hatchets and other irajilements of war or the chase, now 
found buried in tlu' irrav.'llcft liy i.-i' sheets which covered tlie Ohio and 
the Ui^per Mississippi A':illi'ys sh.iw Unit men were there at a time which, 
at the lowest cstiiiiul.', was tlinnsaiuls ot' yea.rs before the date i>'iven in 
clii-<)n.)l(.<,'-\- for Ihc i-r.'ali.iii .>r A.laiii. AiiK'i'i.-a hail i..")] il.' who 'were no 
doubl .-.M'val wilh 111.' in-.'lii^M.ri.' sava-.'s wii., lou;,l,i ti-,vs aii.l h venas in 
the cav.'S .)r Kii-land an. I Fi'an..'._'. It is, th.T.jl'.r.j, uu idle waste of time to 
seek in r<'.-.)i(l.'d history for clews to the origin of America's lirst peojjle. 
It would l>t' as protiUible to inquire whether the oak tree originated in the 
old world or th.' n.'W. 

The number of Indians inhabiting a given territory was siii-piisingly 
small. They could hardly be said to occupy the land. Th.'v liad s.'tUe- 
ments here and thei'e. Of the number of Hurons in the limits <<{' this State 
before the Mohawlc in\asion, thor.' is no I'.'.'oi-.l and im est iuiat.'. i^robably 
not more than th.' jtr.'s.'ut nuinli.'r oi' iiiliahilaiils in ihc Slat.' capital, 
Charleston. This \\ill app.'ar ri^'as.inald.j ^\•llen it is staled lluu, aci'ording 
to the missionary .■.'iisiis, iu 1040, the total number of Indians in the terri- 
tory east of the Mississippi, north of the Gulf of Mexico and south of the 
iver, was less than one-fourth of tlie pi-esent population of 
'st Virginia. The total imial:.';- i-. [.la.-! ai Ls(),000. Nearly 
who were concernc.l in ih.' i:..;.!.-!- wars in West Virginia 
livcl ill '• Hii... There were many villay.s in ihat Stat..', and it was den.sely 
poi)ulat.'i] ill (■.)miiai'isoii with soiii.' of t he . .th.^i's; yet there were not, per- 
ha]is. Hfl.'.'ii th.iusaii.l lii.lians in ohi,,, aii'l I h.'y could not jjut three thous- 
and warrioL-s in the ti.'lil. The army whi.li ( i.'iii'ral Forbes led against Fort 
Duquesne (Pittsburg) iu 17.'.'- v,as pmhahly larL'cr than could have been 
mustered by the Indians of Ohio, Imliaiia aii.l Illinois combined, and the 
numbtn- did not exceed six th. aisand. Thu Indians were able to harrass the 
fi-onf i.'r of AVcst N'irgiiua for a quarter of a century by prowliag about in 
siiiail bands an. I striking the defenseless. Had they organized an army 
and fought pitehctl battle they would have been subdued in a few months. 

Wliile the Indians roamed over the whole country, hunting and fishing, 
they yet had paths which they followed when going on long journeys. 
Those iiaths were not made with tools, but were simply the result of walk- 
ing uj^on them for gcncralions. Tli.y n.-arly always followed the best 
grades to be found, an<l HKi.l.'rn roa-l-mal: is have profited by the skill of 
savages in selecting th.' most i>!'a.-ti.-al.'l.' r.)nl.'s. Those paths led long dis 
tances, and in one gi'ii.'ral <liivcli.>n, uii\ai'yiiig from beginning to end, 
showing that they wei'.' ii.>l ina.l.' at ha j>haz;oard, but with" design. Thus, 
cros.singWestVii-ginia, tli.' ( 'ala wba vrarijath led from New York to Georgia. 
It entered West Viriiania from i-'ayette County, I^•llns^:l vania, cro.ssed Clieat 
River at theuioulh.)l (ii-assy i;iin, passed in a .lii-. lim south by south- 
west through 1 1;.' Slat.', an. I iva.-li.'d tlip headwai.'rs ul tliu Holsten River 
in Vir-inia, ami tli.'ii.-.' .■..nlinucd Ihrouirh North ('ai-oliua, South Carolina 
and il is said r.'ach.'dj ;.-ii--ia. Th.' jial ii '.vas ■,'>■. II d: dined when the country 
was lirst settled, but at the present lime lew ti'aces of it remain. It was 
never an Indian thoroughfare after white men liad jdaiated settlements in 
West Virginia, for the reason that the Indian tribes of Pennsylvania and 
New York had enough war on hand to keep them busy without making long 
excursions to the south. It is not recoi'ded that any Indian ever came over 
this trail to attack the frontiers of West Virginia. The early settlements 



28 INDIANS AND MOUNDBlJILDERS. 

in Pennsylvania to the north of us cut off incursions from that quarter. A 
second path, called by the early settlers Warrior Branch, was a branch of 
the Catawba path. That is, tliey formed one i.atli soutliward from New 
York to southern Pennsylvania, where they s.'iMialcd, and llio Warj'ior 
Branch crossed Cheat River at McFarland's, l.x.lc u >,< ml liwcst.M-ly direction 
through the State and entci-.-(l sout'iicni Ohio and ]kis>.mI ii Mo Kentucky. 
Neither was this trail mucli iisrd in :iltacking the cailv sell h incuts in this 
State. It is highly probable that l)otli this and i\u- ( 'aiawiM pallj were fol- 
lowed by the Mohawks in their wars a.i^MiiisI (lie JliiiMiis in WCst V'iiicinia, 
but there is no positive proof that such was 1lic .asc Imlian villa-v-, were 
always on or near large trails, and by lollowiny llicsc and llicir !n-anches 
the invaders would be led directly to the homes of the native tribe which 
they were bent on exterminating. 

There were other trails in tlie State, some of them api^avently very old, 
as if they had been used fc»i- many K-ciii'ialions. TItt,' was one, sDnirtimes 
called the Eastern Path, which came lr..ai Ohio. cros-.c,l il,,- nciilhein part 
of West Virginia, through Pi-.-stoii .uid MondnL^ilia ('oanlies, and c-mliiiued 
eastward to the South Branch of the Potomac. Tliis path v^'as made long 
before the Ohio Indians had any occasion to wage war upon white settlers, 
but it was used in their attacks upon the frontiers. Over it the Indians 
traveled who harrassed the settlements on the South Branch; and later, 
those on the Monongahela and Cheat Rivers. The settlers whose homes 
happened to lie near this trail were in constant danger of attack. During 
the Indian wars, after 1776, it was Ihi' cns1<i!ii \\n- scouts to watch s(nne of 
the li>ading trails near the crossing of th.-i )liio, and when a parly of Indians 
were advan(ang to outrun them and i-cpoit I he dan-'er in lime hir the set- 
tlers to take refuge in forts. Many niassacies were averted in this way. 
There was a trail leading from llie ( )hio i;i\ ei- up the Little Kanawha, to 
and across the AUeghanies, passing tiii-on.s^-h Kandolph County. 

The arms and ammunition with whidi the tmiians longid: the ])ioneers 
of this State were obtained from white traders; or, as li-oin 177(1 to 17^;;! or 
later, were often supplied by British agents. The worst dc>predations which 
West Virginia suffered from the Indians were committed with arms and 
ammunition obtained from the British in Canada. This was during the 
Revolutionary War, when the British made allies of the Indians and urged 
them to harrass the western frontiers, while the British regular army 
fought the Colonial army in the eastern States. 



CHAPTER III, 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, 

For the first twenty-five years after settlements were commenced in the 
present territory of West Virginia there was immunity from Indian depre- 
dations There was no occasion for tionlilc No tril)c occupied the South 
Branch Valley when the first colony was inado; and tlie outposts of the 
white man could Jiiive V>een ])uslii'il aii'oss lln' State until the Ohio River 
was i-i'aclicd \\ilhon1 tal\iii,i;»laii!ls claiiiii'd or occupied by Indians, except, 
])cilia|is, in thi' i-asr of 1 wo oi- Dirci' \i'ry small camps; and this most likely 
would lia\i' bi'cn do!ir \\i1lionl coiiflii/t with the Indians, had not Europeans 
stiri'i'd iiji those uiirorliinatc childn'ii of the forest and sent them against 
the i-olonists. This was done l>y two European nations, first by Prance, 
and afterwards 1)\- iMiL'laud. TliiTc were five Indian wars waged against 
AVest Vir.uinia; the \Vai- of 177.'. and Pontiac's War of 1763, the Dunmore 
War (it 17, 1 and \\\f U'e-.olul ionary War ot 1776, and the war which broke 
out ahnni I7'.ii) and ended in I7'.te. in the war beginning in 1755. the French 
ineiie 1 and assisted ihe Indians a.uaiust the English settlements along the 
wliele westei-M border. Ill tile Ivevol lit ioiiary War the British took the 
plaee ol Ihe l''ieiicli as allies of the Indians, and armed the savages and 
sent tlieiii a;j-ains1 the -.ettlers. 

It is |Ho)iei that the causes bringing about the French and Indian War 
he lirielly leeiteif. No State was uiore deeply concerned than West Virginia. 
Had Ihe plan which was oullined i>y the French been successfully executed, 
West \'ir:,'i Ilia, would have heen l''i'eiMli instead of English, and the settle- 
ments by tile Virginians would not h,i\e been carried west of the Alleghany 

Mountains. The eoast of A lica, li-oiii .\hiine to Georgia, was colonized 

by English. The h'reneh eolunized Canada and Louisiana. About the mid- 
dle of the fi,i,dileenth eeiil iiry the design, which was probably formed long 
l)efore, of coiiiieei in-- Canada and Louisiana by a chain of forts and .settle- 
ments, began to he put into execution by the King of France. The cordon 
was ii) ileseeiid 1 h" Alleghany [{iver from Lake Erie to the Ohio, down that 
sli'eaiii to the Missi.-vsippi and theiK'e to New Orleans. The purpose was to 
(■online I he l<]nglish lo t he st rip of country between the AUeghanies and the 
1 would iiK hide New England, the greater part of New 
)elaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, the greater part of 
I'iii conntii's of West Virginia, Virginia, North Caro- 
:nid (e'oigia. The French hoped to hold eveiything 
I Miuntains. The immediate territory to be secured 
Aiissioiiaiies of the Catholic Church were the first 
expicjreis, not only of the Ohio, but of the Mississippi Valley, almost to the 
head springs of that river. The French took formal possession of both 
banlis of the Oh;o in the summer of 1749, when an expedition under Cap- 



Atl.anlie t )e 


eall. 


York, New 


.ler; 


Marvlaiid, : 


>e\e: 


lina. Soiilh 


Cai-i 


west ..t Ihe 


Alle 


was ihe ( )|l 


io V; 



30 THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 

tain Celeron descended that stream and claimed the country in the name of 
France. 

The determination of the Virginians to plant settlements in the Ohio 
Valley was speedily observed by the French, who set to work to counteract 
the movement. Tiit\v bpwan the ei'ection of a fort on one of the upper trib- 
utaries of the All.'p-liaiiy I'i\i'r, and no one dduliti'd that they intended to 
move south as ia|ii'lly as llicy cmild ci-rrt their cm-don of forts. Governor 
Dinwiddle, of Vir.Lriuia, decided to send a iiiesseiii^-ei- to the French, who 
already were in the Ohio Valley, to asic Inr wliat |ini-i)nse they were there, 
and 1(1 inlMnii them that the territory Ijeloiiii-ed to l<:ii--laiid. It was a mere 
dildoiiialic formality not expected to do any ^'o;xL This was in the autumn 
of ir.'i;!, and Geory-e Washin£i:ton, then twenty-one years of age, was com- 
missioned to bear the dispatch to the French commander on the Alleghany 
River. Washiti.Lrt'in left A\^illi;Miishui'g, Vir'ginia^, November 14, to travel 
nearly si.x luindi-eil miles IlirDUirli a wilderness in the dead of winter. 
When he readied lli.' sell lemeiil on llie Ah nionirahela where Christopher 
Gist and twelve families had pkuitetl a colony, I\lr. Gist accompanied him 
as a guide. The message was delivered to tte French commandant, and 
the reply liaving been written, Washington and Gist set out upon their re- 
turn, on foot. The boast of the French that they would build a fort the 
next summer on the present site of Pit tshnrii- seemed likely to be carried 
out. Was] ungton counted two hundred canoes at I he French fort on the 
Alleghany River, and he rightly conjectured thai a descent of that stream 
w a s CO n t e m 1 ilated. After many dangers and hardships, Washington reached 
Williamslmrg and delivered to Governor Dinwiddle the reply of the French 
commaudaut. 

It was now evident that the Frencli intended to resist by force all at- 
tempts by the English to colonize the Ohio Valley, and were resolved to 
meet force with force. (4()vernoi- Diiuviddie called the Assembly together, 
and troops weiv sent into the Ohio Valley. Early in April, 1754, Ensign 
Ward, with a small detachment, reai-hed the forks of the Ohio, where Pitts- 
burg now stands, an<l commenciMl t hi' ei'ect ion of a fort. Here began the 
conflict whicdi ra-ed mr sevei'aj years along the Ix.rder. MMie Fivncdi soon 
appeared in the .\lleuhany with one thonsand men and eighteen cannon 
and gave the English one hour in whit-li to lea\'e. Resistance was out of 
the question, and Ward retreated. The French built a fort which they 
called Duquesne, in honor of the Governor of Canada. 

The EnglLsh were not dis])osed to subunt tamely. Virginia and Penn- 
sylvania took steps to recover llie site at the loi'k-s of the ( )hio, and to build 
a fort there. Troops were raised and placed in command of Colonel Fry, 
while Washington was made lieutenant colonel. The instiaictions from 
Governor Dinwiddie were explicit, ami directed that all persons, not the 
subjects of Great Britain, who should attempt to take possession of the 
Ohio River or any of its tril;u1aries, lie killed, destroyed or seized as pris- 
oners. When the troops under Washington reached the Great Meadows, 
near the present site of l".i-owns\ ille, rennsylvania, it was learned that a 
party of about fifty French were piMwling in the vicinity, and had an- 
nounced their purpose of attacking the tirst English they should meet. 
Washington, at the head of fifty men, left the camp and went in search of 
the French, came upon their camp early in the morning, fought them a few 
minutes, killed ten, including the commander, Jumonville, and took twenty- 
two prisoners, with the loss of one killed and two or three wounded. The 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 31 

wounded Frenchmen were tomahawked by Indians who accompanied Wash- 
ington. The prisoners were sent to Williamsburg, and, at the same time, 
an urgent appeal for more troops was made. It was correctly surmised 
that as soon as news of the fight reached Fort Duquesne, a large force of 
French would be sent out to attack- the English. Re-euforcemeuts were 
raised in Virginia and Avcri' ;iil\-;i need as far as Winrl;csi-i-; Imi, with the 
exception of an indeiH •111 lent .(iinpMny from South C'ai:>iiii.i. immIit ('a|itain 
Mackay, no re-enforcciiicnls ivacliiMl ihe Great Mea>i<>\vs wImmv ihr whole 
force under Colonel Fry amounted to less than four hundred men. 

The Indians had been friendly with the settlers on the western border 
up to this time: but the French having supplied them bountifully with 
l)resGnts, induced them to talcc n]i arms against the English, and hencefor- 
ward the colonists were oblis^'fd to tiixlit both the French and the Indians. 
Of the two, the Indians were the more troublesome. They had a deep- 
seated hatred for the English, who had dispossessed the tribes east of the 
Alleghanies of their land, and were now invading the territory west of 
that range. But it is difficult to see wherein they hoped to better their 
condition by assisting tlie Kiench to gain joossession of the country; for the 
Fi-ench were as greedy foi' la ml as were the English. However, the major- 
ity of the nati\'es could not i-eason far enough to see that jiaiut; and with- 
out mucli investigation they took uj:) arms in aid of tlie ]<'i-eiii'Ii. 

After tilt.' Isiaish with Jumonville's party, it was e\| led that the 

French in strong force would nuirch from Fort Da(|Uesiie to di-ive baclc the 
English. Washington built Wnr\ Ne.'essitv ahoin tilty mile-, we.l of ( 'um- 
berland, Maryland, and iMv|,ared lor a tivlit. New,-, was hr..n-lil to him 
that large re-enforcemeids Irom Canada had i-eaehed Foi-t l)iii|uesne: and 
within a few days he was told that the French were on the road to meet 
him. K.x|>ecled re-enforcements from Virginia had not arri\ed, and Wash- 
ington, wli<.> had a<lvanced a few miles toward the Ohio, fell baek- to Fort 
Necessity. There, on the third of .Inly, 1754, was fought a long and obsti- 
nate battle. Many Imliaus wei'e with the French. Washington olfered 
battle in o^jen ground, but the offei- was declined, and the English withdrew 
within the entrenchments. The enemy fouglit from behind trees, and some 
climbed to the top of trees in oi'der ti; get aim at those in the tren(die.s. 
Tlie French were in su]ierior force and hetter armed than t Ih> l-aigiish. A 
I'ain dampened the ammunition and rendei-.'d manv of t h" -nns ( d' 1 he Ru- 
<i:lish iiseh'ss. W'ashin-ton sniavn<liTed uiioii honoraide terms, whieh i)er- 
mitted his soldiers to retain Ih-ar arms and l.aggag.^, lait not the artillery. 
The i-apitiilation oemirred .Inly I, ITTil, just tweuty-iwo y<'ai-s before the 
sinaiiii-' ot the Decdaration of I iide| len.liaiee. Tlie l^'renrh and Indians num- 
bered seven liundr.-d men. Th.ar loss in killed was t h ree ,)r four. The 
loss of the English was thii-t v. 

When WashiiiL'tuii ■> defeaied army retreated from the Ohio Valley, the 
French were in full iiossessiiai, and no attempt was made that year to re- 
new the war in that quarter; but the jjurpose on the part of the English of 
driving the French out was not abandoned. It was now understood that 
notliing less than a general war could settle the question, and both sides 
I ) re pa red for it. It was with some surprise, in January, I?.'.'., that a jirop- 
osilion was received from Fi-anee that the portion of the(>hio N'alley be- 
tween that river and the AUegluinies be abandoned by both the Fi'en<di and 
the English. The latter, believing that the opi^ortunity had arrived for 
driving a good bargain, demanded that the French destroy all their forts 



32 THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 

as far as the Wabash, raze Niagara and Crown Point, surrender the Penin- 
sula of Nova Scotia, and a strip of land sixty miles wide along the Bay of 
Fundy and the Atlantic, and leave the intermediate country as far as the 
St. Lawrence a neutral desert. France rejected this proposition, and un- 
derstanding the designs of the English, sent three thousand men to Can- 
ada. General Braddock was already on his way to America with two regi- 
ments; yet no war had been declared between England and France. The 
former announced that it would act only on the defensive, and the latter 
affirmed its desire for peace. 

When General Braddock arrived in America he prepared four expedi- 
tions against the French, yet still insisting that he was acting only on the 
defensive. One was against Nova Scotia, one against Niagara, one against 
Crown Point, and the fourth against the Ohio Valley, to be led by Braddock 
in person. This last is the only one that immediately concerns West Vir- 
ginia, and it will he s]»)k-t'ii of somewhat at length. 

Mucli was i'X|icr(c(l (iT Braddock's campaign. He jwomised that he would 
be beyond the AUi'ghanios by the end of April; and after taking Fort Du- 
quesne, which he calculated would not detain him above three days, he 
would invade Canada by ascending the Alleghany River. He expressed no 
concern from attacks by Indians, and showed contempt for American sold- 
iers who were in his own ranks. He expected his British regulars to win 
the battles. Never had a general gone into the tidd with so little compre- 
hension of wliat he was undertaking. He paid for it with his life. He set 
out u]K)n liis march from Alexandria, in Virginia, and in twenty-seven days 
reached Cuinherland with about two thousand men, some of them Virginians. 
Here Wasliington i()in<'d liim as one of his aids. From Cumberland to Fort 
Duquesne tlie distaiire was one hundred and thirty miles. The army could 
not march five miles a day. Everything went wrong. Wagons broke down, 
hor.ses and cattle died, Indians hai'rassed the flanks. On June 19, 1755, the 
army was divided, and a little more than half of it pushed forward in hope 
of capturing Fort Duquen.se before the arrival of re-enforcements from Can- 
ada. The progress was yet slow, altogether the heaviest baggage had been 
left with the rear division. Not until July 8 was the Monongahela reached. 
This river was forded, and marching on its southern bank, Braddock de- 
cided to strike terror to the hearts of his enemies by a parade. He drew 
his men up in line and spent an hour marching to and fro, believing that 
the French were watching his every movement from the bluff beyond the 
river. He wished to impress them with his power. The distance to Fort 
Duquesne was less than twelve miles. He recrossed the river at noon. 
This was July 9. Tlie tioops pushed forward toward the fort, and while 
cutting a road througli the woods, were assailed by Fi'ench and Indians in 
ambush. The attack was as iine.\i>eeted as it was violent. It is not neces- 
sary to enter fully into details of the battle which was disastrous in the 
extreme. The regular soldiers were panic stricken. They could do nothing 
against a concealed foe which numt)ered eiglit hundred and sixty-seven, of 
which only two hiindicd and thirty were French. About the only fighting 
on the side of the English was done by the Virginians under Washington. 
They prevented the slaughter of the whole army. Of the three com- 
panies of the Virginians, scarcely thirty remained alive. The battle con- 
tinued two hours. Of the eighty-six olKcers in the army, twenty-six were 
killed, and thirty-seven were wounded. One-half of the army was killed or 
wounded. Washington had two horses killed under him and four bullets 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 33 

passed through his coat; yet he was not wounded. The regulars, when 
they had wasted their ammunition in useless firing, broke and ran like 
sheep, leaving everything to the enemy. The total loss of the English was 
seven hundred and fourteen killed and wounded. Braddock had five horses 
shot under him, and was finally mortally wounded and carried from the 
field. 

The battle was over. The English were flying toward Cumberland, 
throwing away whatever impeded their retreat. The dead and wounded 
were abandoned on the field. Braddock was borne along in the rout, con- 
scious that his wound was mortal. He spoke but a few times. Once he 
said: "Who would have thought it!" and again: "We shall know better 
how to deal with them another time. " He no doubt was thinking of his re- 
fusal to take Washington's advice as to guarding against ambuscades. 
Braddock died, and was buried in the night about a mile west of Port 
Necessity. Washington read the funeral service at the grave. 

When the fugitives reached the division of the army under Dunbar, 
which had been left behind and was coming up, the greatest confusion pre- 
vailed. General Dunbar destroyed military stores to the value of half a 
million dollars. In his terror he destroyed all he had, and when he recov- 
ered his senses he was obliged to send to Cumberland for provisions to keep 
his men alive until he could reach that place. He did not cease to retreat 
until he reached Philadelphia, where he went into winter quarters. The 
news of the defeat s^jread rapidly, and the frontier from New York to North 
Carolina prepared for defense, for it was well known that the French, now 
flushed with victory, would arm the Indians and send them against the ex- 
posed settlements. Even before the defeat of Braddock a taste of Indian 
warfare was given many outposts. After the repulse of the army there 
was no protection for the frontiers of Virginia except such as the settlers 
themselves could provide. One of the first settlements to receive a visit 
from the savages was in Hampshire County. Braddock's defeated army had 
scarcely withdrawn before the Indians appeared near the site of Romney 
and fired afr some of the men near the fort, and the fire was returned. One 
man was wounded, and the Indians, about ten in number, were driven off. 
Early the next spring a party of fifty Indians, under the leadership of a 
Frenchman, again invaded the settlements on the Potomac, and Captain 
Jeremiah Smith, with twenty men, went in pursuit of them. A fight 
occurred near the source of the Capon, and the Frenchman and five of his 
savages were killed. Smith lost two men. The Indians fled. A few days 
later a second jaarty of Indians made their way into the country, and wex-e 
defeated by Captain Joshua Lewis, with eighteen men. The Indians sep- 
arated into small jsarties and continued their depredations for some time, 
appearing in the vicinity of the Evans fort, two miles from Martinsburg; 
and later they made an attack on Neally's fort, and in that vicinity commit- 
ted several murders. A Shawnee chief named Killbuck, whose home was 
probably in Ohio, invaded what is now Grant and Hardy Counties in the 
sjjring of 1756, at the head of sixty or seventy savages. He killed several 
settlers and made his escape. He appeared again two years later in Pen- 
dleton County, where he attacked and captured Fort Seybert, twelve miles 
west of the jDresent town of Franklin, and put to death more than twenty 
persons who had taken refuge in the fort. The place no doubt could have 
made a successful resistance had not the inmates trusted to the promise of 
safety made by the Indians, who thus were admitted into the fort, and at 



34 THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 

once massacred the settlers. In 1758 the Indians again invaded Hampshire 
County and killed a settler near Porks of Capon. This same year eight 
Indians came into the country on the South Branch of the Potomac, near 
the town of Petersburg, and attacked the cabin of a man named Bingaman. 
They had forced their way into the house at night, and being at too close 
quarters for shooting, Bingaman clubbed his rifle and beat seven of them 
to death. The eighth made his escape. In 1759 the Indians committed 
depredations on the Monongahela River near Morgantown. 

The settlement on the Roanoke River in Virginia, between the Blue 
Ridge and the Alleghany Mountains, was the theatre of much bloodshed in 
1756 by Indians from Ohio who made their way, most jDrobably, uj) the 
Kanawha and New River, over the Alleghanies. An expedition against 
them was organized in the fall of 1756, under Andrew Lewis, who eighteen 
years later, commanded the Virginians at the battle of Point Pleasant. Not 
much good came of the expedition which marched, with great hardship, 
through that jiart of West Virginia south of the Kanawha, crossed a corner 
of Kentucky to the Ohio River, where an order came for the troops not to 
cross the Ohio nor invade the country north of that river. They returned 
in dead of winter, and suffered extremely from hunger and cold. This is 
notable from the fact that it was the first military expedition by an English- 
speaking race to reach the Ohio River south of Pittsburg. 

During the three years following Braddock's defeat the frontier was 
exposed to incessant danger. Virginia appointed George Washington com- 
mander-in-chief of all forces raised or to be raised in that State. He trav- 
eled along the frontier of his State, inspecting the forts and trying to bring 
order out of chaos. His picture of the distress of the people and the hor- 
rors of the Indian warfare is summed up in these words, addressed to the 
Governor of Virginia: "The supplicating tears of the women, and the mov- 
ing petitions of the men, melt me with such deadly sorrow that I solemnly 
declare, if I know my own mind, I would offer myself a willing sacrifice to 
the butchering enemy, provided that would contribute to the people's ease." 
He found no adequate means of defense. Indians butchered the people and 
fled. Pursuit was nearly always in vain. Washington insisted at all times 
that the only radical remedy for Indian depredation was the capture of Port 
Duquesne. So long as that rallying point remained the Indians would be 
armed and would harrass the frontiers. But, in case the reduction of Port 
Duquesne could not be undertaken, Washington recommended the erection 
of a chain of twenty-two forts along the frontier, to be garrisoned by two 
thousand soldiers. 

In 1756 and again in 1757 propositions were laid before the Government 
of Virginia, and also before the commander-in-chief of the British forces in 
America, by Washington for the destruction of Port Duquesne. But in 
neither of these years was his proposition acted upon. However, the British 
were waging a successful war against the French in Canada, and by this 
were indirectly contributing to the conquest of the Ohio Valley. In 1758 
all was in readiness for striking a blow at Fort Duquesne with the earnest 
hope that it would be captured and that rallying point for savages ulti- 
mately destroyed. The settlements in the eastern j^art of West Virginia 
were nearly broken up. Only two frontier forts west of Winchester held 
out, exclusive of military iwsts. Both were in Hampshire County, one at 
Romney, the other on Capon. The savages swarmed over the Blue Ridge 
and spread destruction in the Valley of Virginia. 



THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 35 

General Joseph Forbes was given command of the army destined for 
the expedition against Fort Duquesne. This was early in 1758. He had 
twelve hundred Highlanders; two thousand seven hundred Pennsyl- 
vanians; nineteen hundred Virginians, and enough others to bring the total 
to about six thousand men. Washington was leader of the Virginians. 
Without him, General Forbes never would have seen the Ohio. The old 
General was sick, and his progress was so slow that but for the eilorts 
of Washington in pushing forward, the army could not have reached 
Duquesne that year. A new road was constructed from Cumberland, 
intended as a permanent highway to the West. When the main army had 
advanced about half the distance from Cumberland to Fort Duquesne, Major 
Grant with eight hundred Highlanders and Virginians, went forward to 
reconnoitre. Intelligence had been received that the garrison numbered 
only eight hundred, of whom three hundred were Indians. But a re-inforce- 
ment of four hundred men from Illinois had arrived unknown to Major 
Grant, and he was attacked and defeated with heavy loss within a short 
distance of the Fort. Nearly three hundred of his men were killed or 
wounded, and Major Grant was taken prisoner. 

On November 5, 1758, General Forbes arrived at Hannastown and 
decided to advance no further that year; but seven days later it was learned 
that the garrison of Fort Duquesne was in no condition for resistance. 
Washington and twenty-five hundred men were sent forward to attack it. 
General Forbes, with six thousand men, had spent fifty days in opening 
fifty miles of road, and fifty miles remained to be opened. Washington's 
men, in five days from the advance from Hannastown, were within seven- 
teen miles of the Ohio. On November 25 the fort was reached. The Fi'ench 
gave it up without a fight, set fire to it and fled down the Ohio. 

The power of the French in the Ohio Valley was broken. When the 
despairing garrison applied the match which blew up the magazine of Fort 
Duquesne, they razed their last stronghold in the Valley of the West. The 
war was not over; the Indians remained hostile, but the danger that the 
country west of the Alleghanies would fall into the hands of France had 
passed. Civilization, progress and religious liberty were safe. The gate- 
way to the great West was secured to the English race, and from that day 
there was no pause until the western border of the United States was 
washed by the waters of the Pacific. West Virginia's fate hung in the 
balance until Fort Duquesne fell. The way was then cleared for coloniza- 
tion, which speedily followed. Had the territory fallen into the hands of 
France, the character of the inhabitants would have been different, and the 
whole future history of that part of the country would have been changed. 
A fort was at once erected on the site of that destroyed by the French, and 
in honor of William Pitt was named Fort Pitt. The city of Pittsburg has 
grown up around the site. The territory now embraced in West Virginia 
was not at once freed from Indian attacks, but the danger was greatly 
lessened after the rendezvous of Fort Duquesne was broken up. The sub- 
sequent occurrences of the French and Indian War, and Pontiac's War, as 
they affected West Virginia, remain to be given. 

The French and Indian War closed in 1761, but the Pontiac War soon 
followed. The French had lost Canada and the Ohio VaUey and the English 
had secured whatever real or imaginary right the French ever had in the 
country. But the Indians rebelled against the English, who had speedily 
taken possession of the territory acquired from France. There is no evi- 



36 THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 

dence that the French gave assistance to the Indians in this war; but much 
proof that more than one effort was made by the French to restrain the 
savages. Nor is the charge that the French supplied the Indians with 
ammunition well founded. The savages bought their ammunition from 
traders, and these traders were Froucli, English and American. In Novem- 
ber, 1700, Rogers, an English ot'Hrci-, sailed over Lake Erie to occupy 
French ix)sts further west. While sailing on the Lake he was waited upon 
by Pontiac, who may be regarded as tlu' ahlrst Indian encountered by the 
English in America. He was a Delaware ra|i1i\e who had been adopted by 
the Ottawas, and became their chief, lie liailed IJogers and informed him 
!hat the country belonged neither to the Kieueh nor English, but to the 
Indians, and told him to go back. This Kogers refused to do, and Pontiac 
set to work forming a confederacy of all I lie Indians between Canada on the 
north, Tennessee on the south, the Mississippi on the west and the AUegha- 
nies on the east. His object was to expell the English from the country 
west of the Alleghany mountains. 

The sujieriority of Pontiac as an organizer was seen, not so much in his 
success in forming a confederacy as in kee^Mng it secret. He struck in a 
moment, and the blow fell almost simultaneously from Illinois to the 
frontier of Virginia. In almost every case the forts were taken by surprise. 
Detroit, Fort Pitt and Fort Ligonier were almost the only survivors of the 
fearful onset of the savages. Detroit had warning from an Indian girl who 
boti'ayod tli(> plans of the savages; and wluMi Pontiac, with hundreds of his 
warriors, appeared in person and a1 templed to take the Fort by surprise, he 
found the I'^nglisli i-eady for liinn lie ix'sieLjed the post nearly a year. The 
siege began May 9, ITGci, andtlie ra])idity with which blows were struck 
over a wide expanse of country shows Imw tlioi-ougli were his arrangements, 

and how well the secret Ifad I n K'ejit. l'\irt Sandu.sky, near Lake Erie, 

was surprised and ca]3ture(l May Iti, S(n'i;'n days ai'ter Detroit was besieged. 
Nine days later the Fort at the mouth of St. .Joseph's was taken; two days 
later Fort Miami, on the Maumee river, fell, also taken by surjirise. On 
June 1 Fort Ouatamon in Indiana, was surjirised and captured. Machili- 
mackinac, far north in Michigan, fell also. This was on June 2. Venango 
in Pennsylvania, near Lake Erie, was captured, and not one of the garrison 
escaped to tell the tale. Fort Le Boeuf, in the same part of the country, 
fell June 18. On June 22 Presque Isle, now Erie, Pennsylvania, shared the 
fate of the rest. On June 21 Fort Ligonier was attadved and the siege was 
prose(nt(>(l with vigor, but the place held out. It was situated on the road 
betweeii l-'oit Pitt and Cumberland. On June 22 the savages appeared 
beloie t lie w alls of Fort Pitt, but were unable to take the place by surprise, 
allhough it was in ])0(n- condition for defonso. The fnrtiticntions had never 

been tinished, an<l a 11 1 had opened three sides. The coinniandant raised 

a rampart of logs round the lA.ii and pre|,ared tc light till the last. The 
garrison nuniliered three hundred and thiily men. More t hau two hundred 
women and children from the fi'ontiers had talo^i I'efuge there. 

Desi)airin.i,'-or taking theFoj'l l)y force, the savages tried treachery, and 
ask(Ml foi- a pai-ley. When it was granted, the chief told the commandant of 
tile Wort lliat resistance was useless; that all the forts in the North and 
West had lieen taken, and that a large Indian army was on its march to 
Fort. Pitt, wliich must fall. But, said the chief, if the English would aban- 
don the Fort and retire east of the Alleghanies, they would be permitted to 
depart in peace, provided they would set out at once. The reply given by 



THE PEENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 37 

the commandant was, that he intended to stay where he was, and that he 
had iDrovisions and ammunition sufficient to enable him to hold out 
against all the savages in the woods for three years, and that English 
armies were at that moment on their march to exterminate the Indians. 
This answer apparently discouraged the savages, and they did not push the 
siege vigorously. But in July the attack was renewed with great fury. 
The savages made numerous efforts to set the Port on fire by discharging 
burning arrows against it; but they did not succeed. They made holes in 
the river bank and from that hiding jjlace ke^it up an incessant fire, but the 
Port was too strong for them. On the last day of July, 1763, the Indians 
raised the siege and disappeai-ed. It was soon learned what had caused 
them to depart so suddenly. General Bouquet was at that time marching 
to the relief of Port Pitt, with five hundred men and a large train of sup- 
plies. The Indians had gone to meet him and give battle. As Bouquet 
marched west from Cumberland he found the settlements broken up, the 
houses burned, the grain unharvestecf, and desolation on every hand, show- 
ing how relentless the savages had been in their determination to break up 
the settlements west of the AUeghanies. 

On August 2, 1763, General Bouquet arrived at Port Ligonier, which 
had been besieged, but the Indians had departed. He left part of his stores 
there, and hastened forward toward Port Pitt. On August 5 the Indians 
who had been besieging Port Pitt attacked the troops at Bushy Run. A 
desperate battle ensued. The troops kejjt the Indians otf by using the 
bayonet, but the loss was heavy. The next day the fight was resumed, the 
Indians completely surrounding the English. The battle was brought to a 
close by Bouquet's stratagem. He set an ambuscade and then feigned 
retreat. The Indians fell into the trap and were routed. Bouquet had lost 
one-fourth of his men in killed and wounded; and so many of his jDack horses 
had been killed that he was obliged to destroy a large part of his stores 
because he could not move them. After a march of four days the army 
reached Port Pitt. 

The effect of this sudden and disastrous war was wide-spread. The 
settlers fled for protection from the frontiers to the forts and towns. The 
settlements on the Greenbi-ier were deserted. The colonists hurried east of 
the Alleghanies. Indians prowled through all the settled portions of West 
Virginia, extending their raids to the South Branch of the Potomac. More 
than five hundred families from the frontiers took refuge at Winchester. 
Amherst, commander-in-chief of the British forces in America, was enraged 
when he learned of the destruction wrought by the Indians. He offered a 
reward of five hundred dollars to any jierson who would kill Pontiac, and 
he caused the otter of the reward to be jiroclaimed at Detroit. "As to 
accommodation with these savages," said he, "I will have none until they 
have felt our just revenge." He urged every measure which could assist in 
the destruction of the savages. He classed the Indians as "the vilest race 
of beings that ever infested the earth, and whose riddance from it must be 
esteemed a meritorious act for the good of mankind." He declared them 
not only unfit for allies, but unworthy of being respected as enemies. He 
sent orders to the officers on the frontiers to take no prisoners, but kill all 
who could be caught. 

Bouquet's force was not large enough to enable him to invade the Indian 
country in Ohio at that time; but he collected about two thousand men, and 
the next summer carried the- war into the enemy's country, and struck 



38 THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 

directly at the Indian towns, assured that by no other means could the sav- 
ages be brought to terms. The army had not advanced far west of Pitts- 
burg when the tribes of Ohio became aware of the invasion and resorted to 
various devices to retard its advance and thwart its purposes. But General 
Bouquet proceeded rapidly, and with such caution and in such force, that 
no attack was made on him by the Indians. The alarm among them was 
great. They foi'esaw the destruction of their towns; and "when all other 
resources had failed, they sent a delegation to Bouquet to ask for peace. 
He signilied his willingness to negotiate peace on condition that the Indians 
surrender all white prisoners in their hands. He did not halt however in 
his advance to wait for a reply The Indians saw that the terms must be 
accepted and be complied with without delay if they would save their 
towns. The army was now within striking distance. The terms were 
therefore accei^ted, and more than two hundred prisoners, a large number 
of whom were women and children, were given up. Other prisoners 
remained with the Indians in remote jjlaces, but the most of them were sent 
to Port Pitt the next spring, according to promise. Thus closed Pontiac's 
War. 

An agency had been at work for some time to bring about peace, but 
unknown to the English. It was the P'rench, and without their co-opera- 
tion and assistance it is probable the Indians would not have consented to 
the peace. DeNeyon, the French officer at Fort Chartres, wrote a letter 
to Pontiac advising him to make peace with the English, as the war be- 
tween the French and English was over and there was no use of further 
bloodshed. This letter reached Pontiac in November while he was con- 
ducting the siege of Detroit, and its contents becoming known to his Indian 
allies, greatly discouraged them; for it seems that up to that time they 
believed they were helping the French and that the French would soon 
appear in force and fight as of old. When the Indians discovered that no 
help from France was to be exiiected, they became willing to make peace 
with Bouquet, and for ten years the western frontiers enjoyed immunity 
from war. 



CHAPTER IV, 



THE DUNMORE WAR. 

The iM-ogress of the settlement of West Virginia from 1764 to 1774 has 
been noticed elsewhere in this volume. There were ten years of peace; but 
in the year 1774 war with the Indians broke out again. Peace was restored 
before the close of the year. The trouble of 1774 is usually known as Dun- 
more's War, so called from Lord Dunmore who was at that time Governor 
of Virginia, and who took personal charge of a portion of the army operat- 
ing against the Indians. There has been much controversy as to the 
origin or cause of hostilities, and the matter has never been settled satis- 
factorily to all. It has been charged that emissaries of Great Britain 
incited the Indians to take np arms, and that Dunmore was one of the 
moving sjiirits in this disgraceful consijiracy against the colony of Vir- 
ginia. It is further charged that Dunmore hoped to see the army under 
General Andrew Lewis defeated and destroyed at Point Pleasant, and that 
Dunmore's failure to form a junction with the army under Lewis according 
to agreement, was intentional, premeditated and in the hope that the 
southern division of the army would be crushed. 

This is a charge so serious that no historian has a right to put it for- 
ward without strong evidence for its support — much stronger evidence 
than has yet been brought to light. The charge may be neither wholly 
true nor wholly false. There is not a little evidence against Dunmore in 
this campaign, especially when taken in connection with the state of feel- 
ing entertained by Great Britain against the American colonies at that 
time. In order to present this matter somewhat clearly, yet eliminating 
many minor details, it is necessary to sjieak of Great Britain's efforts to 
annoy and intimidate the colonies, as early as 1774, and of the spirit in 
which these annoyances were received by the Americans. 

Many jjeoiole, both in America and England, saw, in 1774, that a revo- 
lution was at hand. The Thirteen Colonies were arriving very near the for- 
mation of a confederacy whose avowed purpose was resistance to Great 
Britain. Massachusetts had raised ninety thousand dollars to buy powder 
and arms; Connecticut provided for military stores and had proposed to 
issue seventy thousand dollars in paper money. In fact, preparations for 
war with England were going steadily forward, although hostilities had not 
begun. Great Britain was getting ready to meet the rebellious colonies, 
either by strategy or force, or both. Overtures had been made by the 
Americans to the Canadians to join them in a common struggle for liberty. 
Canada belonged to Great Britain, having been taken by conquest from 
France in the French and Indian War. Great Britain's first move was 
regarding Canada; not only to prevent that country from joining the Amer- 
icans, but to use Canada as a menace and 'a weapon against them. Eng- 



40 THE DUNMORE WAR 

land's plan was deeijly laid. It was largely the work of Thurlow and Wed- 
derburn. The Canadians were to be granted full religious liberty and a 
large share of political liberty in order to gain their friendship. They were 
mo.stly Catholics, and with them England, on account of her trouble with 
her Thirteen Colonies, tools the tirst step in Catholic emancipation. Having 
won the Canadians to her side, Great Britain intended to set up a separate 
empire there, and expected to use this Canadian empire as a constant threat 
against the colonies. It was thought that the colonists would cling to 
England through fear of Canada. 

The plan having been matured, its execution was at once attempted. 
The first step was the emanciimtion of the Canadian Catholics. The next 
step was the passage of the Quebec Act, by which the Province of Quebec 
was extended southward to take in western Pennsylvania and all the coun- 
try belonging to England north and west of the Ohio River. The King of 
England had already forbidden the planting of settlements between the 
Ohio River and the Alleghany Mountains in West Virginia; so the Quebec 
Act was intended to shut the English colonies out of the West and confine 
them east of the Alleghany Mountains. Had this plan been carried into 
execution as intended, it would have curtailed the colonies, at least Penn- 
sylvania and Virginia, and prevented their growth westward. The country 
beyond the Ohio would have become Canadian in its laws and people, and 
Great Britain would have had two empires in America, one Catholic and the 
other Protestant; or, at least, one composed of the Thirteen Colonies and the 
other of Canada extended southward and westward, and it was intended 
that these empires should restrain, check and threaten each other, thus 
holding both loyal to and dependent upon Great Britain. 

Some time before the passage of the Quebec Act a movement was on 
foot to establish a new province called Vandalia, west of the Alleghanies, 
including the greater part of West Virginia and a portion of Kentucky. 
Benjamin Franklin and George Washington were interested in it. The 
capital was to be at the mouth of the Kanawha. The province was never 
formed. Great Britain was not inclined to create states west of the moun- 
tains at a time when efforts were being made to confine the settlements east 
of that range. To have had West Virginia and a portion of Kentucky neu- 
tral ground, and vacant, between the empire of Canada and the empire of 
the Thirteen Colonies would have pleased the authors of the Quebec Act. 
But acts of Parliament and proclamations by the King had little effect on 
the pioneers who jjushed into the wilderness of the West to find new homes. 

Before proceeding to a narration of the events of the Dunmore War, it 
is not out of place to inquire concerning Governor Dunmore, and whether, 
from his past acts and general character, he would be likely to conspire 
with the British and the Indians to destroy the western settlements of Vir- 
ginia. Whether the British were capable of an act so savage and unjust as 
inciting savages to harrass the western frontier of their own colonies is not 
a matter for controversy. It is a fact that they did do it during the Revo- 
lutionary War. Whether they had adojited this policy so early as 1774, and 
whether Governor Dunmore was a party to the scheme, is not so certain. 
Therefore let us ask, who was Dunmore"/ He was a needy, rapacious Scotch 
earl, of the House of Murray, who came to America to amass a fortune and 
who at once set about the accomplishment of his object, with little regard 
for the rights of others or the laws of the country. He was Governor of 
New York a short time; and, although jDOor when he came, he was the 



THE DUNMORE WAR. 4l 

owner of fifty thousand acres of land when he left, and was preparing to 
decide, in his own court, in his own favor, a large and unfounded claim 
which he had preferred against the Lieutenant Governor. When he as- 
sumed the office of Governor of Virginia his greed for land and money- 
knew no bounds. He recognized no law which did not suit his jjurpose. He 
paid no attention to positive instructions from the crown, which forbade 
him to meddle with lands in the west. These lands were known to be be- 
yond the borders of Virginia, as fixed by the treaties of Port Stanwix and 
Lochaber, and therefore were not in his jui'isdiction. He had soon acquired 
two large tracts in southern Illinois, and also held lands where Louisville, 
Kentucky, now stands, and in Kentucky ojniosite Cincinnati. Nor did his 
greed for wealth and power stop with a]>i)r(i]iri,iting wild lands to his own 
use; but, without any warrant in law, and in \ iohilion of all justice, he ex- 
tended the boundaries of Virginia north w aid to include much of western 
Pennsylvania, Pittsburg in particular; and he made that the county seat of 
Augusta County, and moved the court from Staunton to that place. He 
even changed the name Fort Pitt to Port Dunmore. He appointed forty- 
two justices of the peace. Another appointment of his, as lieutenant of 
militia, was Simon Girty, afterwards notorious and infamous as a deser- 
ter and a leader of Indians in their war against the frontiers. He appointed 
John Connolly, a physician and adventurer, commandant of Port Pitt and 
its dependencies, which were suppoised to include all the western country. 
Connolly was a willing tool of Dunmore in many a fjuestionable transaction. 
Court was held at Fort Pitt until the spring of I77(i. Tln' name of Pitts- 
burg first occurs in the court recoi'ds on August L't), 177ii. W'lu'n Connolly 
received his appointment he issued a i^roclamation setting forlii liis author- 
ity. The Pennsylvanians resisted Dunmore's usurpation, and arrested Con- 
nolly. The Virginia authorities arrested some of the Pennsylvania officers, 
and there was confusion, almost anarchy, so long as Dunmore was Gov- 
ernor. 

Dunmore had trouble elsewhere. His domineering conduct, and his 
support of some of Great Britain's oppressive measures, caused him to be 
hated by the Virginians, and led to armed resistance. Thereui»n he threat- 
ened to make Virginia a solitude, using these words : " I do enjoin the mag- 
istrates and all loyal subjects to repair to my assistance, or I shall consider 
the whole country in rebellion, and myself at liberty to annoy it by every 
possible means, and I shall not hesitate at reducing houses to ashes and 
spreading devastation wherever I can reach. With a small body of troops 
and arms, I could raise such a force from among Indians, negroes and other 
persons as would soon reduce the refractory people of the colony to obe- 
dience." The laatriots of Virginia finally rose in arms and drove Governor 
Dunmore from the country. Some of these events occnricil after the Dun- 
more War, but they serve to show what kind of a man i la^ ( lovcrnor was. 

Perhaps the strongest argument against the claim tliat Dunmore was 
in league with Indians, backed by Great Britain, to push back the frontier of 
Virginia to the AUeghanies, is the fact that Dunmore at that time was 
reaching out for lands, for himself, in Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio; and his 
land-grabbing would have been cut off in that quarter had the plan of limit- 
ing Virginia to the AUeghanies been successful. He could not have carried 
out his schemes of acquiring possessions in the West had the Quebec Act 
been sustained. Dunmore did more to nullify the Quebec Act than any one 
else. He exerted every energy to extend and maintain the Virginia frontier 



42 THE DUNMORE WAR. 

as far west as possible. By this he opposed and circumvented the efforts 
of Great Britain to shut Virginia off from the West. He and the govern- 
ment at home did not work together, nor agree ou the frontier policy; and 
in the absence of direct proof sustaining the charge that he was in con- 
spiracy with the British government and the Indians to assail the western 
frontier, the doubt as to his guilt on the charge must remain in his favor. 
Prom the time of the treaty made by General Bouquet with the Indians, 
1764, to the year 1773, there was peace on the frontiers. War did not break 
out in 1773, but murders were committed by Indians which excited the fron- 
tier settlements, and were the first in a series which led to war. The In- 
dians did not comply with the terms of the treaty witli Gcmeral Bouquet. 
They had agreed to give up all prisoners. It was snhsccincntly ascertained 
that they had not done .so. Some captives were still lidd in bondage. But 
this in itself did not lead to the war of 1774. The froutiiTs, since Bouquet's 
treaty, had been {lushed to the Ohio River, in West Virginia, and into Ken- 
tucky. Although Indians had no right by occupation to either West Vir- 
ginia or Kentucky, and althougli they had given up by treaty any right 
which they claimed, they yet loolcfd with anger ujion the planting of settle- 
ments in those countries. The lirst act of hostility was committed in 1773, 
not in West Virginia, but furthci' snuth. A party of emigrants, under the 
leadership of a son of Daniel Boone, were on their way to Kentucky when 
they were set upon and several were killed, including young Boone. There 
can be no doubt that this attack was made to ijrevent or hinder the coloni- 
zation of Kentucky. Soon aftei* this, a white man killed an Indian at a 
horse race. This is said to have been the first Indian blood shed on the 
frontier of Virginia by a white man after Pontiac's War. In February 1774 
the Indians killed six white men and two negroes; and in the same month, 
on the Ohio, they seized a trading canoe, killed the men in charge and 
carried the goods to the Shawnee towns. Then the white men began to 
kill also. In March, on the Ohio, a fight (X'currcd between settlers and 
Indians, in which one was killed on eacli side, and five canoes were taken 
from the Indians. John Connolly wrote from I'ittshurg on April 21, to the 
peojile of Wheeling to be on their guard, as the Indians were preiaaring for 
war. On April 215, two Indians were killed on the Ohio. On Ajiril 30, nine 
Indians were killed on the same river near Steuben ville. On May 1, 
another Indian was killed. About the same time an old Indian named Bald 
Eagle was killed on the Monongahela River; and an Indian camp on the 
Little Kanawha, in the jjresent county of Braxton, was broken up, and the 
natives were killed. This was believed to have been done by settlers on the 
West Fork, in the present County of Lewis. They were induced to take 
that course by intelligence from the Kanawha River that a family named 
Stroud, residing near the mouth of tln' ( iaulcy Ki\cr had l>(>cn niurdennl, 
and the tracks of the Indians led t<i\\ai'd the Indian camii on the Little 
Kanawha. When this camp was visited \>v tlif pai-lv oT white men from the 
West Pork, they discovered d 
Stroud family. Thereiipon the 
men with Governor Dunmore's 
the Muskingum River. The ivt 
which theinluibitants could find 
to Williamsburg entreating as 

discussed the dangers from Indians ou the frontier, and intimated that the 
militia should be called out. Governor Dunmore ordered out the militia of 



othing and ol hei' ; 
Indians were desti 


irtieK's belonging to the 
oved. A pai-ly of white 


permission dest ro 
mtiers were alaian 
shelt.ei- frmn attac 
sistance. The Vii 


,\-ed an Indian village on 
ed. Forts were built in 
K's. Expresses wen; sent 
•ginia Assembly in May 



THE DUNMORE WAR. 43 

the frontier counties. He then proceeded in person to Pittsburg, partly to 
look after his lands, and partly to take charge of the campaign against the 
Indians. The Delawares and Six Nations renewed their treaty of peace in 
September, but the Shawnees, the most jjowerf ul and warlike tribe in Ohio, 
did not. This tribe had been sullen and unfriendly at Bouquet's treaty, and 
had remained sour ever since. Nearly all the captives yet in the hands of 
the Indians were held by this fierce tribe, which defied the white man and 
despised treaties. These savages were ruled by Cornstalk, an able and no 
doubt a good man, opijosed to war, but when carried into it by the head- 
strong rashness of his tribe, none fought more bravely than he. The 
Shawnees were the chief fighters on the Indian side in the Dunmore war, 
and they were the chief sufferers. 

After arranging his business at Pittsburg, Governor Dunmore descen- 
ded the Ohio River with twelve hundred men. Daniel Morgan, with a com- 
pany from the Valley of Virginia, was with him. A second army was being 
organized in the southwestern part of Virginia, and Dunmore's instructions 
were that this army, after marching down the Great Kanawha, should join 
him on the Ohio where he promised to wait. The Governor failed to keep 
his promise, but crossed into Ohio and marched against the Shawnee towns 
which he found deserted. He built a fort and sat down to wait. 

In the meantime the army was collecting which was to descend the 
Kanawha. General Andrew Lewis was commander. The pioneers on the 
Greenbrier and New River formed a not inconsiderable part of the army 
which rendezvoused on the site of Lewisburg in Greenbrier County, In 
this army were fifty men from the Watauga, among whom were Evan 
Shelby, James Robertson and Valentine Sevier, names famous in history. 
Perhaps an army composed of better fighting material than that assembled 
for the march to Ohio, never took the field anywhere. The distance from 
Lewisburg to the mouth of the Great Kanawha was about one hundred and 
sixty miles. At that time there was not so much as a trail, if an old Indian 
path, hard to find, is excejited. At the mouth of Elk River the army made 
canoes and embarking in them, proceeded to Point Pleasant, the mouth of 
the Kanawha, which they reached October 6, 1774. Prior to that date 
Simon Girty arrived at Point Pleasant with dispatches from Dunmore, who 
was then at the mouth of the Little Kanawha with his army. The dis- 
patches oi'dered Lewis to proceed to the mouth of the Hockhocking. When 
Girty reached Point Pleasant, Lewis had not arrived, and the dispatches 
were deposited in a hollow tree in a conspicuous place where they would be 
seen. Girty returned to Dunmore's army, which marched to the Hock- 
hocking. Another messenger was sent to Point Pleasant. Scouts passed 
between the two armies, and on October 13 Dunmore ordered Lewis to pro- 
ceed to the Pickaway towns in Ohio. But, in the mean time the battle of 
Point Pleasant had been fought. On October 10 the Indian army under 
Cornstalk arrived, about one thousand in number. The Virginians were 
encamped on the narrow point of land formed by the meeting of the 
Kanawha and Ohio. The Indians crossed the Ohio the evening before, or 
during the night, and went into camp on the West Vii-giuia side, and about 
two miles from the Virginians. They were discovered at daybreak, October 
10, by two young men who were hunting. The Indians fired and killed one 
of them; the other escaped and carried the news to the army. 

This was the first intelligence the Virginians had that the Indians had 
come down from their towns in Ohio to give battle. By what means the 



44 THE DUNMORE WAR. 

savages had i-eceived iulormation of the advance of the army in time to 
collect tlu'ir forces and meet itbofo]-o thoOhio River was crossed, has never 
been iisccrtaincd; but it is probable that Indian scouts had watched the 
progress (il (Jeiieial Lewis from the time he took uji his mai'ch from Green- 
brier. Cornstalk laid well his plans for the destruction of the Virginian 
army at Point Pleasant. He formed his line across the neck of land, from 
the Ohio to the Kanawha, and euclosed the Virginians between his line and 
the two rivers. He posted detachments on the farther banks of the Ohio 
and the Kanawha to cut dlT (ii'iicial Lewis should he attempt to retreat 
across either river. Cornstaliv unaut not only to defeat the army but to 
destroy it. The Virginians numbered eleven hundred. 

When the news of the advance of the Indian army reached General 
Lewis, he prepared for battle, and sent three hundred men to the front to 
meet the enemy. The fight began at sunrise. Both armies were soon 
engaged over a line a mile long. Both fought from behind trees, logs and 
whatever would offer protection. The lines were always near each other; 
sometimes twenty yards, .sometinios less: occasionally near enough to use 
the tomahawk. The battle was remaik-able for its obstinacy. It raged six 
hours, almost hand to hand. Then the Indians fell back a short distance and 
took up a strong jjosition, and all efforts to dislodge them by attacks in 
front failed. Cornstalk was along his whole line, and above the din of 
battle his powerful voice could be heard: " Be strong! Be strong!" The 
loss was heavy among the Virginians, and perhaps nearly as heavy among 
the Indians. Late in the aftei'noon Cciicial Lewis discovered a way to 
attack the Indians in flank. A small stream with high banks empties into 
the Kanawha at that 1 mint, and he sent a dctaehment up this stream, the 
movement being ct)neea led I'l-omlhe Indians, and when an advantageous 
point was reached, the sold iei's emci-.Lced and attack-ed the Indians. Taken 
by surprise, the savages retreale<l. This movemeut decided the day in 
favor of the Virginians. The Indians tied a short distance up the Ohio and 
crossed to the western side, the most ol tln^m on logs and rude rafts, proba- 
bly the same on which they had crossed the stream before the battle. The 
Virginians lost sixty men killed and ninety-six woundeck The loss of the 
Indians was not ascertained. They left thirty-three dead on the field, and 
were seen to throw others into the Ohio River. All their wounded were 
carried off. 

The battle of Point Pleasant was the most stubbornly contested of all 
frontier battles with the Indians; but it was by no means the bloodiest. 
Seveial otlhMs could be named in which the loss jf life was much gi-eater; 
notably UraddocU's defeat, and the defeat of General St. Clair. The battle 
of Point Pleasant was also remai'kable from the number of men who 
took part in it who afterwards became noted. Among them may be men- 
tioned Isaac Shelby, the first Govtu-uor of Kentucky; William Campbell, 
the hero of King's Mountain, and who died on the battlefield of Eutaw 
Springs; Colonel .hihn ,Steel, alteiward Governor of Mississippi; George 
Mathews, afteiwaid (Joxeinor ol (leorgia; Colonel William Fleming, Gov- 
ernor of Virginia, and many others. Nearly all the men who were iu that 
battle and afterwai'd returned to their homes, were subsequently soldiers 
of the American army in the war for independence. 

The Indians posse.ssed soldierly qualities which have generally been 
underestimated. On the battlefield they wei-e brave and confident. In 
their pitched battles with American soldiers on the frontiers they were 



THE DUNMORE WAR. 45 

nearly always outnumbered, and yet they were defeated with difficulty. 
With a smaller force they defeated Braddock: a smaller force fought Bou- 
quet and almost defeated him. St. Clairs disastrous i-out was caused by 
aninferior force of Indians. After many (Ideals liniii Indians in the North- 
west, they were whipijed only when (Jiunal Wayne attacked them with 
three men to their one. The loss of llie Indians was nearly always smaller 
than that of the force opposing tliem: soniet iiii(>s, as inthecase of Braddock's 
and of St. Clair's defeats, not raoii' llian one-tenth as great. The Indians 
selected their ground for a tiglit witii cunning judgment, unsurpassed by 
any people. They never fought al'ti-r tliey ))egan to loose heavily, but 
immediately retreated. This was the onlv ])olii-y |>')ssible for them. They 
had few men, and if they lost heavily, the loss was ii-i-e]iai-al)le. 

The day following the battle, C4)lonel ('lnislian anivecl with three 
hundred soldiers from Fincastle. Fort Kandolpli was ImiH at Point Pleas- 
ant; and after leaving a garrison there. General Lewis crossed the Ohio 
October 17, and marched nearly a hundred miles to the Seioto River to join 
Governor Dunmore. Before he arrived at Port C'liarlotte, where Dunmore 
was, he received a message from the Governor, ordeiinir hini to stoiJ, and 
giving as a reason that he was about to negotiate a tieaty with the Indians. 
General Lewis and his men refused at first to obey this order. They had 
no love for Dunmore, and they did not regard him as a friend of Virginia. 
Not until a second express arrived did General Lewis obey. 

After the light at Point Pleasant, Cornstalk, Logan and Red Eagle, the 
three principal chiefs who had taken part in the battle, retreated to their 
towns with their tribesmen. .Seeing that pursuit was swift and vigorous, 
Cornstalk called a council and asked what should be done. No one had any 
advice to olfer. He then j^roposed to kill the old men, women and children; 
and the warriors then should go out to meet the invaders and fight till every 
Indian had met his death on the lield of battle. No reply was made to this 
pi'oposition. Thereupon Cornstalk said that since his men would not tight, 
he would go and make i^eace; and he did so. Thus ended the war. Gover- 
nor Dunmore had led an at-niy of Vii-ginians into Oliio, and assumed and 
exercised authority thei'e, thus setting aside an<l nullifying the Act of Par- 
liament which extende<l t he jurisdiction of (^)uel)ec lo the Ohio River. 

The treaty was made at Camp Charlotte. The Indian Logan, Chief of 
the Mingoes, as is generally stated, but there seems to be no evidence that 
he was a chief at all, refused to attend the conference with Dunmore, but 
sent a speech which has become famous because of the controversy which 
it has occasioned. The speech, which nearly every school boy knows by 
heart, is as follows: 

"I appeal t(j any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan's cabin 
hungry, and he gave him not meat, if ever he came cold and naked, and he 
clothed him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan 
remained idle in his cabin, an advocate of peace. Such was my love for the 
whites that my countrymen pointed as they passed, and said, -Logan is the 
friend of white men." I had even thought to have lived with you, but for 
the injuries of one man, Colonel Cresap, who last sirring in cold blood and 
unprovoked, murdered all the relatives of Logan, not even sparing my 
women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of 
any living creature. This called upon me for vengeance. I have sought it. 
I have killed many. I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country 
I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not harbor the thought that mine 



46 THE DUNMORE WAR. 

is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to 
save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one." 

The charge has been made that this speech was a forgery, written by 
Thomas Jefferson. Others have charged that it was changed and interpo- 
lated after it was delivered. The part referring to Cresap, in particular, 
has been pointed out as an interpolation, because it is now known, and was 
then known, that Cresap (Captain Michael Cresap was meant) did not mur- 
der Logan's relatives. The facts in regard to the speech are these : Logan 
did not make the speech in person, and he did not write it, and he did not 
dictate it to any person who wrote it; but the speech, substantially as we 
now have it, was read at the conference at Camp Charlotte. Logan would 
not attend the conference. Simon Girty, who was employed as interpreter, 
but who could neither read nor write, was sent by Lord Dunmore from 
Camjj Charlotte to hunt for Logan, and found him in his camp, which seems 
to have been a few miles distant. Logan would not go to the conference, 
and Girty returned without him. As he approached the circle where the 
conference was in progress. Captain John Gibson walked out to meet him. 
He and Girty conversed a few minutes, and Gibson entered his tent alone, 
and in a few minutes came out with a piece of clean paper on which, in his 
own hand, was written the now famous Logan speech. It is probable that 
in the conversation between Logan and Girty, the former had made use of 
sentiments similar to those in the speech, and Girty repeated them, as 
nearly as he remembered them, to Gibson, and Gibson, who was a good 
scholar, put the speech in classic English. At the most, the sentiment 
only, not the words, wex'e Logan's. 



CHAPTER V, 



WEST VIRGINIA IN THE REVOLUTION. 

The territory of the present State of West Virginia was not invaded by 
a British army, except one company of forty, during the war for American 
independence. Its remote position made it safe from attaclf from the east; 
but this very remoteness rendered it doubly liable to invasion from the 
west where Great Britain had made allies of the Indians, and had armed 
and sujiplied them, and had sent them against the frontiers from Canada to 
Georgia, with full license to kill man, woman and child. No jiart of America 
suffered more from the savages than West Virginia. Great Britain's pur- 
pose in employing Indians on the frontiers was to harrass the remote 
country, and not only keep at home all the inhabitants for defense of their 
settlements, but also to make it necessary that soldiers be sent to the West 
who otherwise might be emj^loyed in opposing the British near the sea 
coast. Notwithstanding West Virginia's exjwsed frontier on the west, it 
sent many soldiers to the Continental Army. West Virginians were on 
almost every battlefield of the Revolution. The portion of the State east of 
the Alleghanies, now forming Jeiferson, Berkeley, Morgan, Hampshire, 
Hardy, Grant, Mineral and Pendleton counties, was not invaded by Indians 
during the Revolution, and from this region large numbers of soldiers joined 
the armies under Washington, Gates, Greene and other patriots. 

As early as November 5, 1774, an important meeting was held by West 
Virsrinians in which thoy clearly indicated under which banner they would 
be found fighting, if Great Britain persisted in her course of oi^pression. 
This was the first meeting of the kind west of the Alleghanies, and few 
similar meetings had then been held anywhere. It occurred during the 
return of Dunmore's Army from Ohio, twenty-five days after the battle of 
Point Pleasant. The soldiers had heard of the danger of war with England; 
and, although they were under the command of Dunmore, a royal Governor, 
they were not afraid to let the counti'y know that neither a royal Governor 
nor any oue else could swerve tlicm I'l-om their duty as patriots and lovers 
of liberty. The meeting wns lnhi al l^'ort Gower, north of the Ohio River. 
The soldiers passed resoliUiims wliich had the right ring. They recited 
that they were willing and ahh' In u.ai- all hardships of the woods; to get 
along for weeks witln ml. bread oi- salt, if necessary; to sleep in the open 
air; to dress in sliins if noiliiiiLr flsr could be had; to march further in a day 
than any other men in tiie wcirld; lo use the ritle with skill and with bravery. 
They affirmed their zeal in llie cause of right, and promised continued 
allegiance to the King of F^ULrlaml, luovided he would reign over them as a 
brave and free people. "But," tlicy continued, "as attachment to the real 
interests and just rights of America outweigh every other consideration, we 
resolve that we will exert every jjower within us for the defence of American 



48 WEST VIRGINIA IN THE REVOLUTION. 

liberty, when regularly called forth by the unanimous voice of our country- 
men." It was such spirit as this, manifested on every occasion during the 
Revolution, which i^rompted Washington in the darkest year of the war to 
exclaim that if driven from every point east of the Blue Ridge, he would 
retire west of the mountains and there raise the standard of liberty and bid 
defiance to the armies of Great Britain. 

At two meetings held May 16, 1775, one at Fort Pitt, the other at 
Hannastown, several West Virginians were present and took part in the 
proceedings. Resolutions were jmssed by which the people west of the 
mountains pledged their sujaport to the Continental Congress, and expressed 
their purpose of resisting the tyranny of the mother country. In 1775 a 
number of men from the Valley of the Monongahela joined Washington's 
army before Boston. The number of soldiers who went forward from the 
eastern jiart of the State was large. 

There were a few persons in West Virginia who adhered to the cause 
of England; and who from time to time gave trouble to the patriots; but 
the prom]itTioss witli which their attemjited risings were crushed is proof 
that trjiitois wrvi' in :i liopi'li'ss minority. The patriots considered them as 
enemi(-s and dcull liarslily with them. There were two attempted uprisings 
in West Virginia, one in the Monongahela Valley., which the inhabitants of 
that region were able to supjDress; the other uprising was on the South 
Branch of the Potomac, in what is now Hardy and Grant Counties, and 
troops were sent from the Shenandoah Valley to put it down. In the 
Monongahela Valley several of the tories were arrested and sent to Rich- 
mond. It is recorded th^ the leader was drowned in Cheat River while 
crossing under guai-d on his way to Richmond. Two men of the Morgan 
family wtic liis i^niaid. The boat upset while crossing the river. It was 
the gcncial inijni'ssion of the citizens of the community that the upsetting 
was not accidental. The guards did not like to take the long journey to 
Riclundiid while their homes and tlic homes of their neighbors were exposed 
to attacl<s tioni Indians. The toiy uprising on the SouthBranch was much 
more serious. The first indicatit)n of trouble was given by their refusal to 
iniy their taxes, or to furnish their quota of men for the militia. Complaint 
was made by the Sheritf of Hamjishire county, and Colonel Vanmeter with 
thirty men was sent to enforce the collection of taxes. The tories armed 
themseJM's, to the lunnlieidf fifty, for resistance, and j^laced themselves 
under tln' leai!eislii|i of .lolin Brake, a German, whose house was above 
Petersburg, in wJiat is now Grant County. These enemies of their country 
had made his place their rendezvous. They met the militia fi-om Hamp- 
shire, but no fight took place. Apparently each side was afraid to begin. 
There was a ])afley in whicli Colonel Vanmeter pointed out to the tories the 
conse(|nence wliicli must follow, if they persisted in their present course. 
He advised tlieni to disiieise, go to their homes and conduct themselves as 
law ahidinir citizens. He left them and marched home. 

'I'lie dislo\a! elements grew in strength and insolence. They imagined 
Dial the aniliorilies were afraid and would not again interfere with them. 
They organized a tompaiiy, elected John Claypole their captain, and pre- 
pared to march off and join the liiitish forces. General Morgan was at that 
time at his home in Fi-eileiicK- County, and he collected militia to the 
number of four hundred, crusst'd the mountain and fell on the tories in such 
dead earnest that they lost all their enthusiasm for the cause of Great 
Britain. Claypole was taken prisoner, and William Baker, who refused to 



WEST VIRGINIA IN THE REVOLUTION. 49 

surrender, was shot, but not killed. Later a man named Mace was killed. 
Brake was overawed; and after two days spent in the neighborhood, the 
militia, under General Morgan, returned home. The tories were crushed. 
^ A number of them were so ashamed of what they had done that they joined 
the American army and fought as patriots till the close of the war, thus 
endeavoring to redeem their lost re^jutations. 

The contrast between the conduct of the tories on the South Branch 
and the patriotic devotion of the people on the Greenbrier is marked. 
Money was so scarce that the Greenbrier settlers could not pay their taxes, 
although willing to do- so. They fell delinquent four years in succession 
and to the amount of thirty thousand dollars. They were willing to per- 
form labor if arrangements could be made to do it. Viz'ginia agreed to the 
projDOsition, and the people of Greenbrier built a road from Lewisburg to 
the Kanawha River in jiayment of their taxes. 

The chief incidents in West Virginia's history during the Revolutionary 
War were connected with the Indian troubles. The State was invaded four 
times by forces large enough to be called armies; and the incursions by 
smaller parties were so numerous that the mere mention of them would 
form a list of murders, ambuscades and personal encounters of tedious and 
monotonous length. The first invasion occurred in 1777 when Fort Henry, 
now Wheeling, was attacked; the second, 1778, when Port Randolph, now 
Point Pleasant, was besieged for one week, the Indians moving as far east 
as Greenbrier County, where DonnoUy's fort was attacked; the third inva- 
sion was in August, 1781, when Fort Henry was again attacked by 250 In- 
dians under the leadership of Matthew Elliott. The fourth .invasion 
occurred in September, 1782, when Wheeling was again attacked. The 
multitude of incursions by Indians must be jjassed over briefly. The cus- 
tom of the savages was to make their way into a settlement and either lie 
in wait along i^aths and shoot those who attempted to pass or break into 
houses and murder the inmates or take them prisoner, and then make off 
hastily for the Ohio River. Once across that stream, pursuit was not prob- 
able. 

The custom of the Indians in taking prisoners, and their great exertion 
to accomjDlish that purpose, is a difficult thing to explain. Prisoners were 
of little or no use to them. They did not make slaves of them. If they 
sometimes received money as ransom for captives the hojie of ransom money 
seems seldom or never to have promjjted them to carry prisoners to their 
towns. They sometimes showed a liking, if not affection, for captives, 
adopted into their tribes and families; but this kindly feeling was shallow 
and treacherous, and Indians would not hesitate to burn at the stake a cap- 
tive who had been treated as one of their family for months if they should 
take it into their heads that revenge for injuries received from others called 
for a sacrifice. The Indians followed no rule or precedent as to which of 
their captives they would kill and which carry to their towns. Thsy some- 
times killed children and spared adults, and sometimes the reverse. 

When the Revolutionary War began the English and the Americans 
strove to obtain the good will of the western Indians. The Americans sent 
Simon Girty and James Wood on a peaceful inission to the Ohio tribes in 
July, 1775. On February 22 of that year Simon Girty had taken the oath 
of allegiance to the King of England, but when war commenced he took sides 
with the Americans. In July, 1775, Congress created three Indian depart- 
ments, that embracing the portions of West Virginia and Pennsylvania west 



50 WEST VIRGINIA IN THE REVOLUTION. 

of the Alleghanies, to be known as the Middle .Department. Commissioners 
were appointed to establisli and maintain friendly ri'latioTis with the Indians. 
In October of that year di'lc^Mtcs fi-oni scvituI (if the Ohio tribes visited 
Pittsburg, which, .since Scplriril)ri' hiMorc. had Ikmmi (u-cupied by Captain 4 
John Neville and a garrison of one hundred Amei u-aus. The Indian dele- 
gates made a treaty and agreed to remain neutral during the trouble be- 
tween the colonies and Great Britain. 

The British were less humane. Instead of ui-ging tlie savages to 
remain neutral, as the Americans had done, Ihi'v (■xcilid tln' tiilics to lain' 
up the hatchet against the Americans. The siiIim'(|iiciiI honors of the In- 
dian warfare along the frontier are chargealile to lliu JJiitish, wlni rusm-twl 
to "every means which God and nature had placed in their power" to an- 
noy the Americans. The most industrious of British agents in stirring up 
the Indians was Henry Hamilton, who in Ajiril, ITTf), was a])pointed Lieu- 
tenant-Governor and Indian agent, with heacl(|ua iters a1 Detroit. His sal- 
ary was one thousand dollars a year. He i-eadied liis destination Ni)\'eia- 
ber 9, 1775. The Indians flocked to him and importuned liiin lor jieimission 
and assistance to attack the settlements. But Hamilton had m it yel leceived 
instructions from his government, authorizing him to eajpios- imlians, and 
he did not send them to war at that time. In June, 177(3, lieoige Morgan, 
Indian agent for the Middle I)e])a,rtment, held a conference with some of 
the Ohio tribes and succeinled in keeping them away from Deti-oit at that 
time. The suggestion that Indians be employed against the Americans 
came from Governor Hamilton late in 177(). The proposition was eagerly 
accepted; and on March :L'ti, 1777, Loi'd (leoi'ge Germain gave the fatal order 
that Hamilton assemble all thi' Indians jiossible and send them against the 
frontiers, under the leader.shiji of i)r<i|)er jieisons who could restrain tlieui. 
This order was received by GoviM-nor Hamilton in June 1777, and lielore 
August 1 he had sentout fifteen inarandini,'- parties agirregating i^s'.i Indians. 

The year 1777 is called in boi-der liistory the "hloodv year of tlie three 
sevens." The British sent agaiiiist the IVontiei-s e\ei-y Indian who could Ik> 
prevailed upon to go. Pew settlements from New \nrk to l-'icn-ida esc;i]ied. 
In this State the most harm was done on tlie Mojiongahela and along the 
Ohio in the vicinity of Wheeling. Monongalia County wa.s visited twice by 
the savages that year, and a number of ])ersons were Uilleil. A party of 
twenty invaded what is now I\,andol])h county, killed a numher ol settlers, 
took several prisoners and made their esca-pe. It was on Xo\cml)i'r 10 of 
this year that Cornstalk, the Shawnee chief, was assas.^inated at Point 
Pleasant by niilitiamen who assemhled there from ( ;i-e,-nl)rier and else- 
where for ib<' jiurpose of marching against the Indian towns. Earlier in 
the year Cornstalk had come to Kort Ivandolph, at i'oinf I'leasant, (ni a 
visit, and aLso to inform the commandant of the foil that Hie Hritish were 
inciting the Indians to war, and that his own tribe. Hie Shawmis, would 
likely be swept along with the current, in si)ite of his eihuts to Iceep them 
at home. Under these circumstances the commandant of the fort thought 
it best to detain Cornstalk as a hostage to insui-e the neiit rality of his tribe. 
It does not seem that the venerable Chief was unwilling to remain. He 
wanted peace. Some time after that his son came to see him, and crossed 
the Ohio, after making his preseiic<' Known by hallooing from the other 
side. The next day two of Ine militiainen crossed the Ohio to hunt and 
one was killed by an Indian. The other gave the alarm, and the 
militiamen crossed the river and brought in the body of the dead man. The 



WEST VIRGINIA IN THE REVOLUTION. 51 

soldiers believed that the Inc^an who had committed the deed had come the 
day before with Cornstalk's son, and had lain concealed until an oppor- 
tunity occurred to kill a man. The soldiers were enraged, and started up 
the river bank toward the cabin where Cornstalk resided, announcing that 
they would kill the Indians. There were with Cornstalk his son and 
another Indian, Red Eagle. A sister of Cornstalk, known as the Granadier 
Squaw, had lived at the fort some time as interpreter. She hastened to the 
cabin and urged her brother to make his escape. He might have done so, 
but refused, and admonished his son to die like a man. The soldiers 
arrived at that time and fired. All three Indians were killed. The leaders 
of the men who did it were afterwards given the semblance of a trial in 
Virginia, and were acquitted. 

It is the opinion of those acquainted with border history that the mur- 
der of Cornstalk brought more suffering upon the West Virginia frontier 
than any other event of that time. Had he lived, he would perhaps have 
been able to hold the Shawnees in check. Without the co-operation of that 
bloodthirsty tribe the border war of the succeeding years would have been 
different. Four years later Colonel Crawford, who had been taken 
prisoner, was put to death with extreme torture in revenge for the murder 
of Cornstalk, as some of the Indians claimed. 

Fort Henry was besieged September 1, 1777, by two hundred Indians. 
General Hand, of Fort Pitt, had been informed that the Indiaias were pre- 
paring for an attack in large numbers upon some point of the frontier, and 
the settlements between Pittsburg and Point Pleasant were placed on their 
guard. Scouts were sent out to discover the advance of the Indians in time 
to give the alarm. But the scouts discovered no Indians. It is now known 
that the savages had advanced in small parties, avoiding trails, and had 
united near Wheeling, crossed the Ohio a short distance below that place, 
and on the night of the last day of August approached Fort Henry, and 
setting ambuscades near it, waited for daylight. Port Henry was made of 
logs set on end in the ground, in the manner of jjickets, and about seven- 
teen feet high. There were port holes through which to fire. The garrison 
consisted of less than forty men, the majority of whom lived in Wheeling 
and the immediate vicinity. Early in the morning of September 1 the 
Indians decoyed Captain Samuel Mason with fourteen men into the field 
some distance from the fort, and killed all but three. Captain Mason alone 
reached the fort, and two of his men succeeded in hiding, and finally 
escaped. When the Indians attacked Mason's men, the firing was heard at 
the fort, together with the yells of the savages. Captain Joseph Ogle with 
twelve men sallied out to assist Mason. He was surrounded and nine of his 
men were killed. There were only about a dozen men remaining in the 
fort to resist the attack of four hundred Indians, flushed with victory. 
There were perhajis one hundred women and children in the stockade. 

In a short time the Indians advanced against the fort, with drum and 
fife, and the British flag waving over them. It is not known who was 
leader. He was a white man, or at least there was a white man among 
them who seemed to be leader. Many old frontier histories, as well as the 
testimony of those who were present, united in the assertion that the In- 
dians at this siege were led by Simon Girty. It is strange that this mistake 
could have been made, for it was a mistake. Simon Girty was not there. 
He was at that time, and for nearly five months afterwards, near Port Pitt. 
The commander of the Indian army posted himself in the window of a house 



52 WEST VIRGINIA IN THE REVOLUTION. 

within hearing of the fort, and read the proclamation of Governor Hamil- 
ton, of Detroit, offering Great Britain's protection in case of surrender, but 
massacre in caseof resistance. Colonel Shepherd, commaiidaiit of the; fort, 
replied that the garri.son would not surrender. The Icadn- was insisting 
upon the impossibility of holding out, when his words were cut short by a 
shot fired at him from the fort. He was not struck. Thr ludiaus began 
the a,ssault with a rush for the fort gate. They tried to break- il open; and 
failing in this, they endeavored to push the posts of the .stockade down. 
They could make no impression on the wall. The lire of the garrison was 
deadly, and the savages recoiled. They charged again and again, some 
times trying to break down the walls with battering rams, attempting to set 
them on fire; and then sending their best marksmen to pick off the garrison 
by shooting through the i^ort holes. In course of time the deadly aim of 
those in the fort taught the savages a wholesome caution. Women fought 
as well as men. The siege continued two nights and two days, but all at- 
tempts of the Indians to burn the fort or break into it were unavailing. 
They killed many of the cattle about the soltlcunent, partly for food partly 
from wantonness. They burned nearly all the houses and barns in Wheel- 
ing. The savages were preparing for auot hei- assault when Colonel Andrew 
Swearengen, with fourteen men, landed near the fort and gained an en- 
trance. Shortly afterwards Major Samuel McColloch, at the head of forty 
men, arrived, and after a severe fight, all reached the fort excejit McCol- 
loch, who was cut off, but made his escape. The Indians now despaired of 
success, and raised the siege. No person in the fort was killed. The loss 
of the Indians was estimated at forty or fifty. 

In September of this year, 1777, Captain William Foreman, of Hamp- 
shire County, with about twenty men of that county, who had gone to 
Wheeling to assist in fighting the savages, was ambushed and killed at 
Grave Creek, below Wheeling, by Indians suj^iJosed to have been a portion 
of those who had besieged Fort Henry. 

On March 28, 1778, Simon Girty ran away from Pittsburg in company 

with Alexander McKee, Robert Surphitt, Matthew Elliott, Higgins 

and two negroes belonging to McKee. It is misleading to call Girty a 
deserter, as he was not in the military service. He had formerly been an 
interpreter in pay," but he was discharged for unbocoming behavior. He 
had two brothers, James and George, who also joined the I'.ritish and did 
service among the Indians; and one brother who reniaiued i iiie to the Amer- 
icans. Simon Girty reached Detroit in June, 177^, after a. loitei-ing journey 
through the Indian country, during which he busied himseir stining up 
mischief. He was employed by the British as interiueter at two dollars a 
day, and was sent by Hamilton to work among the Ohio ludiaus. His influ- 
ence for evil was great, and his character shows few redeeming traits. 

The year 1778 was one of intense excitement on the frontier. An In- 
dian force of about two hundred attacked Fort Randolph, at the mouth of 
the Kanawha, in May, and besieged the place one week. The savages made 
several attempts to carry it by storm. But they were unsuccessful. They 
then moved off, up the Kanawha, in the direction of Greenbrier. Two 
soldiers from Fort Randolph eluded the sa\a,i:es, o\eilooU- them within 
twenty miles of the Greenbrier settleuieut, passed tliem tiuit night, and 
alarmed the peojjle just in time for theui to llee Lu the blockhouses. Don- 
nally's fort stood within two miles of the present village of Frankfort, in 
Greenbriei- County. Twenty men, with their families, took shelter there. 



WEST VIRGINIA IN THE REVOLUTION. 53 

At Lewisburg, ten miles distant, iDerhaps one hundred men had assembled, 
with their families. The Indians apparently knew which was the weaker 
fort, and accordingly proceeded against Donnally's, upon which they made 
an attack at daybreak. One of the men had gone out for kindling wood 
and had left the gate open. The Indians killed this man and made a rush 
for the fort and crowded into the yard. While some crawled under the 
floor, hoping to gain an entrance by that means, others climbed to the roof. 
Still others began hewing the door, which had been hurriedly closed. All 
the men in the fort were asleeja except one white man and a negro slave. 
As the savages were forcing open the door, the foremost was killed with a 
tomahawk by the white man, and the negro discharged a musket loaded 
with heavy shot into the faces of the Indians. The men in the fore were 
awakened and fired through the jwrt holes. Seventeen savages were killed 
in the yard. The others fell back, and contented themselves with firing at 
longer range. In the afternoon sixty-six men arrived from Lewisburg, and 
the Indians were forced to raise the siege. Their expedition to Greenbrier 
had been a more signal failure than the attempt on Port Randolph. 

The country along the Monongahela was invaded three times in the 
year 1778, and once the following year. Pew settlements within one hun- 
dred miles of the Ohio River escaped. In 1780 Greenbrier was again paid 
a visit by the savages; and m this year their raids extended eastward into 
Randolph County, and to Cheat River, in Tucker County, to the very base 
of the Alleghany Mountains. The Monongahela Valley, as usual, did not 
escape, and ten settlers were killed. 

In this year General George Roger Clark, with a small but excellent 
army, invaded Illinois to break up the British influence there. He left 
Captain Helm in charge of Vincennes, Indiana. No sooner had Governor 
Hamilton heard of the success of Clark than he set out from Detroit to re- 
establish the British prestige. He took with him thirty-five British regu- 
lars, forty Idtir irregulars, seventy militia and sixty Indians. He picked 
other Indians up an the way, and reached Vincennes December 17. Cap- 
tain Hehii suiicndcred. Hamilton then dismissed the Indians, ordering 
them to re-assemble the next s^jring with large reenforcements. His 
designs were ambitious, embracing conquests no less extensive than the 
driving of the Americans out of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, 
and the capture of Pittsburg. But General Clark destroyed all of these 
high hopes. Marching in the dead of winter he captured Vincennes, Peb- 
ruary 25, 1779, after a severe tight, and released nearly one hundred white 
prisoners, chastised the Indians, captured stores worth fifty thousand 
dollars, cleared the whole country of Bi'itish from the Mississippi to Detroit; 
and, most important of all, captured Governor Hamilton himself, and sent 
him in chains to Richmond. This victory secured to the United States the 
country as far as the Mississij^iii; and it greatly damjjened the ardor of the 
Indians. They saw for the first time that the British were not able to pro- 
tect them. 

Fort Mcintosh was built in 1778 on the north bank of the Ohio, below 
the mouth of Beaver, and the headquarters of the army were moved from 
Pittsburg to that place, October 8, 1778. In the same year Port Laurens 
was built on the west bank of the Tuscarawas, below the mouth of Sandy 
Creek, and Colonel John Gibson was placed in command with 150 men. On 
March 2!^, 1779, Captain Bird, a British officer from Detroit, and Simon 
Girty, with 120 Indians and seven or eight British soldiers, besieged the 



54 WEST VIRGINIA IN THE REVOLUTION. 

fort and remained before it nearly a month, but failed to take it, although 
they 'killed a number of soldiers. 

In April, 17H1, General Brodhead, with 150 regulars and 150 militia, 
crossed the Ohio at Wheeling and led an expedition against the Delawares 
at Coshocton. He killed or captured thirty Indians and destroyed a few 
towns. He suffered little loss. In 1782 occurred the massacre of the Mora- 
vian Indians in Ohio. They lived under the care of missionaries, and 
claimed to be at peace with all men. But articles of clothing were discov- 
ered among them which were recognized as belonging to white settlers who 
had been murdered in West Virginia. This confirmed the suspicion that 
the Moravian Indians, if they did not take part in raids against the settle- 
ments, had a good understanding with Indians who were engaged in raiding 
They were therefore put to death. The act was barbarous and inexcusable. 

The third and last siege of Wheeling occurred in September 1782. The 
British planned an attack on Wheeling in July of that year, just after 
Crawford's defeat which had greatly encouraged the Indians. They had 
scarcely ended the torture of prisoners who had fallen into their hands, 
including Colonel Crawford, when they clamored to be led against the 
settlements. The British were only too willing to assist them; and in July 
a number of British soldiers and 300 Indians, under command of a white 
man named Caldwell, moved toward Wheeling. Simon and George Girty 
were in this force. Before the army had faii'ly set out, news came that 
General Clark was invading the Indian country. The army on the march 
to Wheeling halted. At the same time a rumor was sjjread that General 
Irvine was marching toward Canada from Pittsburg. Re-inforcements for 
Canada were asked for, and 1400 Indians assembled. Subsequently it was 
learned that the reports of invasions were unfounded, and the Indian army 
dispersed. Caldwell with George and Simon Girty and 300 Indians invaded 
Kentucky and attacked Bryant's station August 14, 1782. The British and 
Indians did not give up the proposed exjiedition against Wheeling, and Capt. 
Pratt with 40 British regulars and 238 Indians marched against the place and 
attacked it September 11. James Girty was with this expedition but had no 
command. Simon Girty was never present at any attack on Wheeling. 

There were fewer than twenty men in Port Henry at Wheeling when the 
Indians api^eared. The commandant, Captain Boggs, had gone to warn the 
neighboring settlements of danger. The whole attacking force marched 
under the British flag. Just before the attack commenced, a boat, in 
charge of a man named Sullivan, arrived from Pittsburg, loaded with 
cannon balls for the garrison at Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Sullivan and 
his party seeing the danger, tied the boat and made their way to the fort 
and assisted in the defense. The besiegers demanded an immediate surren- 
der, which was not complied with. The attack was delayed till night. The 
experience gained by the Indians in the war had taught them that little is 
gained by a wild rush against the walls of a stockade. No doubt Captain 
Pratt advised them also what course to pursue. When night came they 
made their assault; More than twenty times did they pile hemjJ against 
the walls of the fort and attempt to set the structure on fire. But the 
hemp was damp and burned slowly. No harm was done. Colonel Zane's 
cabin stood near the stockade. His house had been burned at the siege in 
1777; and when the Indians again appeared he resolved to defend his build- 
ing. He remained in the cabin with two or three others, among them a 
negro slave. That night an Indian ci-awled up with a chunk of fire to burn 



WEST VIRGINIA IN THE REVOLUTION. 55 

the house, but a shot from the negro's gun crippled him and he gave up his 
incendiary project. Attempts were made to break down the gates, but they 
did not succeed. A small cannon mounted on one of the bastions was occa- 
sionally discharged among the savages, much to their discomfiture. On 
one occasion when a number of Indians had gathered in a loft of one of the 
nearest cabins and were dancing and yelling in defiance of the garrison, the 
cannon was turned on them, and a solid shot cutting one of the joists, pre- 
cijiitated the savages to the floor beneath and put a stop to their revelry. 

The Indians captured the boat with the cannon balls, and decided to 
use them. They jirocured a hollow log, plugged one end, and wrapped it 
with chains stolen from a neighboring blacksmith shop. They loaded the 
laiece with powder and ball, and fired it at the fort. Pieces of the wooden 
cannon flew in all dii'ections, killing and maiming several Indians, but did 
not harm the fort. The savages were discouraged, and when a force of 
seventy men, under Captain Boggs, approached, the Indians fled. They 
did not, however, leave the country at once, but made an attack on Rice's 
fort, where they lo.st four warriors and accomplished nothing. 

The siege of Fort Henry is remarkable from the fact that the flag 
under which the army marched to the attack, and which was shot down 
during the fight, was the last British flag to float over an army in battle, 
during the Revolution, within the limits of the United States. West Vir- 
ginia was never again invaded by a large Indian force, but small parties 
continued to make incursions till 1795. The war with England closed by a 
treaty of peace in 1783. In July of that year DePeyster, Governor at 
Detroit, called the Indians together, told them that the war between Amer- 
ica and Great Britain was at an end, and dismissed them. After that date 
the Indians fought on their own account, although the British still held 
posts in the Northwest, under the excuse that the Americans had not com- 
plied with the terms of the treaty of peace. It was believed, and not with- 
out evidence, that the savages were still encouraged by the British, if not 
directly supplied with arms, to wage war against the frontiers. In the 
autumn of 1783 there was 'a large gathering of Indians at Sandusky, 
where they were harangued by Sir John Johnson, the British 
Superintendent of Indian affairs. Simon Girty was present and was using 
his influence for evil. Johnson urged the Indians to further resistance. 

In February, 1783, while the English Parliament was discussing the 
American treaty, about to be ratified, Lord North, who opposed peace on 
the proposed terms, insisted that the Americans should be shut away from 
the Great Lakes; the forts in that vicinity should be held, and Can- 
ada should be extended to the Ohio River. He declared that 
the Indian allies of Great Britain ought to be cared for, and that 
their independence ought to be guaranteed by Great Britain. In 
the autumn of that year, 1783, when the order was given for the 
evacuation of New York by the British, Lord North, on the petition of 
merchants and fur traders of Canada, withheld the order for the evacua- 
tion of the posts about the lakes. On August 8 of that year Baron Steuben, 
who had been sent for that purpose by the Americans, demanded of Gover- 
nor Haldimaud of Canada, that British forces be withdrawn from the posts 
in the Northwest. Governor Haldimaud rei)lied that he had received no 
instructions on that subject, and he would not surrender the posts. The 
British, in 1785, claimed that they continued to hold the jDosts in Ohio, 
Indiana and beyond because some of the states, and especially Virginia, 



56 WEST VIRGINIA IN THE REVOLUTION. 

had not yet opened their courts to British creditors for the collection of debts 
against Americans incurred before the war. Thus the British continued to 
occujiy posts clearly within the United States, much to the irritation of the 
American people. The Indians were restless, and the belief was general, 
and was well founded, that the British were encouraging them to hostility. 
They became insolent, and invaded the settlements in West Virginia and 
Kentucky, and in 1790 the United States declared war upon them and took 
vigorous measures to bring them to terms. General Harmar invaded the 
country north of the Ohio at the head of a strong force in 1790. He 
suffered his army to be divided and defeated. The next year General St. 
Clair led an army into the Indian country, and met with one of the most 
disastrous defeats in the annals of Indian warfare. He lost nearly eight 
hundred men in one battle. General Wayne now took charge of the cam- 
paign in the Indian country. When he began to invade the northeim part 
Ohio, the British about Lake Erie moved south and built a fort on the 
Maumee River, opposite Perrysville, Ohio. This was in the summer of 
1794. The object in building the fort was clearly to encourage the Indians 
and to insult the Americans. On August 20, 1794, General Wayne found 
the Indians within two miles of the British fort, jjrepared for battle. He 
made an attack on the savages, routed them in a few minutes and drove 
them. They were crushed and there was no more fight in them for fifteen 
years. 

General Wayne was a Revolutionary soldier, and had little love for the 
British. The sight of their fort on American soil tilled him with impatience 
to attack it; but he did not wish to do so without a pretext. He hoped to 
provoke the garrison to attack him, to give him an excuse to destroy the 
fort. He therefore cam^Ded his army after the battle within half a mile of 
the fort. The commandant sent a message to him saying: "The comman 
dant of the British fort is sur^jrised to see an American army advanced .so 
far into this counti-y," and "why has the army had the assurance to camp 
under the very mouths of His Majesty's cannon?" General Wayne answered 
that the battle which had just taken place might well inform the British 
what the American army was doing in that country, and added: "Had the 
flying savages taken shelter under the walls of the fort. His Majesty's 
cannon should not have jirotected them. " Two days later General Wayne 
destroyed everything to within one hundred yards of the fort, and laid 
waste the Indian fields of corn, pumpkins and beans for miles around. The 
country was highly cultivated, there being thousands of acres in corn and 
vegetables. Finding that his elTorts thus far had failed to jirovoke an 
attack by the garrison. General Wayne led his soldiers to within jiistol 
shot of the walls, in hoiie of bringing a shot from his inveterate enemies. 
But the only reply General Wayne received was a flag of truce with another 
message, which stated that "the British commandant is much aggrieved at 
seeing His Majesty's colors insulted. " Wayne then burned all the houses 
and destroyed all the property to the very walls of the fort. This cam- 
paign ended the depredation of the Indians in West Virginia. 



CHAPTER VI, 



SUBDIVISIONS AND BOUNDARIES. 

West Virginia's boundaries coincide, in part, with the boundai-ies of five 
other States, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky. Some 
of these lines are associated with events of historical interest, and for a 
number of years were subjects of controversy, not always friendly. It is 
understood, of course, that all the boundary lines of the territory now em- 
braced in West Virginia, except the line between this State and Vii'ginia, 
were agreed to and settled before West Virginia became a seperate State. 
That is, the lines between this State and Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ken- 
tucky and Ohio were all settled more than one hundred years ago. To 
speak briefly of each, the line separating West Vii-ginia from Ohio may be 
taken first. 

At the time the Articles of Confederation were under discussion in 
Congress, 1778, Virginia's territory extended westward to the Mississippi 
River. The government of the United States never recognized the Quebec 
Act, which was passed by the English Parliament before the Revolutionary 
War, and which extended the province of Quebec south to the Ohio River. 
Consequently, after the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia's 
claim to that territory was not disputed by the other colonies; but when 
the time came for agreeing to the Articles of Confederation which bound 
the states together in one common country, objection was raised to Vir- 
ginia's extensive territory, which was nearly as large as all the other states 
together. The fear was expressed that Virginia would become so power- 
ful and wealthy, on account of its extent, that it would possess and exer- 
cise an influence in the affairs of government too great for the well-being 
of the other states. 

Maryland appears to have been the first state to take a decided stand 
fhat Virginia should cede its territory north and west of the Ohio to the 
general government. It was urged in justification of this course that the 
territory had been conquered from the British and the Indians by the blood 
and treasure of the whole country, and that it was right that the vacant 
lands should be appropriated to the use of the citizens of the whole 
country. Maryland took this stand June 22, 1778. Virginia refused to 
consent to the ceding of her western territory; and from that time till Feb- 
ruary 2, 1781, Maryland refused to agree to the Articles of Confederation. 
On November 2, 1778, New Jersey formally filed an objection to Virginia's 
large territory; but the New Jersey delegates finally signed the Articles of 
Confederation, expressing at the same time the conviction that justice 
would in time remove the inequality in territories as far as jjossible. On 
February 22, 1779, the delegates from Delaware signed, but also remon- 
strated, and presented resolutions setting forth that the United States Con- 



58 SUBDIVISIONS AND BOUNDARIES. 

gress ought to have power to fix the western limits of any statn flaiming 
territory to the Mississippi or beyond. On May 21, 1770, the dclogates 
from Mai'yland laid before Congress instructions i-eceived by tlifui Ironi the 
General Assembly of Maryland. The point aimed at in thr.sr insl ructions 
was that those states having almost boundless western tei-ritoiy had it in 
their power to sell lands at a very low price, thus filling their treasuries 
with money, thereby lessening taxation; and at the same time the cheap 
lands and the low taxes would draw away from adjoining states many of 
the best inhabitants. Congress was, thei-efore, asked to u,se its influence 
with those states having extensive territory, to the end that they would 
not place their lands on the market until the close of the Revolutionary War. 
Virginia was not mentioned by name, but it was well known that reference 
was made to that State. Congress passed, October 30, 1779, a resolution 
requesting Virginia not to open a land office till the close of the war. On 
March 7, 1780, the delegates from New York announced that State ready to 
give up its western territory; and this was formally done on March 1, 1781. 
New York having thus opened the way, other states followed the example 
and ceded to the United States their western territories or claims as follows: 
Virginia, March 1, 1784; Massachusetts, April 19, 1785; Connecticut, Sep- 
tember 14, 1786; South Carolina, August 9, 1787; North Carolina, February 
25, 1790; Georgia, April 24, 1802. 

Within less than two months after Virginia ceded her northwest terri- 
tory to the United States, Congress i^assed an ordinance for the govern- 
ment of the territory. Thedecd ofci'ssion was made by Thomas Jefferson, 
Arthur Lee, Samuel Hardy and .hiincs Monroe, delegates in Congress from 
Virginia. The boundary line brfwi'di Vii'ginia and the territory ceded to 

the general government was tin ilhwcsl bank of the Ohio River at low 

water. The islands in the stream hrldiii^'i'd to Virginia. When West Vir- 
ginia became a separate State, tlic boundary remained unchanged. 

The line between West Virginia and Kentucky remains the same as 
that formerly separating Virginia from Kentucky. The General Assembly 
of Virginia, December 18, 1789, passed an act authoi-izing a convention to be 
held in the District of Kentucky to consider whether it. was expedient to 
form that district into a separate State. The convention decided to form a 
State, and Kentucky was admitted into the Union in 1792. Commissioners 
were appointed to adjust the boundary line between Virginia and Kentucky, 
and agreed that the line seiaai-ating the two states should remain the same 
as that formerly separating Virginia from the District of Kentucky. The 
line is as follows so far as West Vli-ginia and Kentucky are contiguous: 
Beginning at the northwestern point of McDowell County, thence down Big 
Sandy River to its confluence with the Ohio. 

The line dividing the northern limits of West Virginia from the south- 
ern limits of Pennsylvania was for many years a matter of dispute. Mary- 
land and Pennsylvania had nearly a century of bickering concerning the 
matter before Virginia took it up in earnest. It is not necessary at this 
time to give the details of the controversy. A few facts will suffice. Penn- 
sylvania and Maryland having contended for a long time over tlieir common 
boundary line, two eminent astronomers, Charles Mason and .Jeremiah 
Dixon of England, were employed to mark a line five degrees west from 
the Delaware River at a point where it is crossed by the parallel of north lati- 
tude 39 degrees, 43 minutes, 2(3 seconds. They commenced work in the lat- 
ter part of 1763, and completed it in the latter part of 1767. This line, 



SUBDIVISIONS AND BOUNDARIES. 59 

called Mason and Dixon's line, was accepted as the boundary between 
Pennsylvania and Maryland, and the controversy was at an end. But 
beyond the west line of Maryland, where Virginia's and Pennsylvania's 
poses.sions came in contact, a dispute arose, almost leading to open hostili- 
ties between the people of the two states. Virginia wanted Pittsburg, and 
boldly and stubbornly set up a claim to territory, at least as far north as 
the fortieth degree of latitude. This would have given Virginia part of 
Fayette and Greene Counties, Pennsylvania. On the other hand, Penn- 
sylvania claimed the country south to the thirty-ninth degree, which 
would have extended its jurisdiction over the present territory of West Vir- 
ginia included in the counties of Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Taylor, 
parts of Tucker, Barbour, Upshur, Lewis, Harrison, Wetzel and Randolph. 
The territory in dispute was about four times as large as the State of 
Rhode Island. It was finally settled by a comprormise. It was agreed that 
the Mason and Dixon's line be extended west live degrees from the Dela- 
ware River. The commissioners ajipointed to adjust the boundary were 
Dr. James Madison and Robert Andrews on the part of Vii'ginia, and David 
Ritenhouse, John Ewing and George Bryan on the part of Pennsylvania. 
They met at Baltimore in 1779 and agreed ujaon a line. The next year the 
agreement was ratified, by Virginia in June and Pennsylvania in Septem- 
ber. A line was then run due north from the western end of Mason and 
Dixon's line, till it reached the Ohio River. This completed the boundary 
lines between Virginia and Pennsylvania; a.nd West Virginia's territory is 
bounded by the same lines. 

The fixing of the boundary between Virginia and Maryland was long a 
subject of controversy. It began in the early years of the colony, long 
before the Revolutionary War, and has continued, it may be said, till the 
present day, for occasionally the agitation is revived. West Virginia inheri- 
ted most of the subject of dispute when it set up a sej^arate government. 
The controversy began so earJy in the history of the country, when the 
geography of what is now West Virginia was so imperfectly understood, 
that boundaries were stated in genei-al terms, following certain rivers; and in 
after time these general terms were differently understood. Nearly two hun- 
dred years ago the Potomac River was designated as the dividing line between 
lands granted in Maryland and lands granted in Virginia; but at that time 
the upper tributaries of that river had never been exj^lored, and as no one 
knew what was the main stream and what were tributary streams. Lord 
Fairfax had the stream explored, and the explorers decided that the main 
river had it.^ source at a point where the Fairfax Stone was planted, the 
present corner of Tucker, Preston and Grant Counties, in West Virginia. 
It also was claimed as the southwest corner of Maryland. It has so 
remained to this day, but not without much controversy on the part of 
Maryland. 

The claim was set up by Maryland, in 1830, that the stream known as 
the South Branch of the Potomac is the main Potomac River, and that all 
territory north of that stream and south of Pennsylvania, belonged to 
Maryland. A line drawn due north from the source of the South Branch to 
the Pennsylvania line was to be the western boundary of Maryland. Had 
that State succeeded in establishing its claim and extending its jurisdiction, 
the following territory would have been transferred to Maryland : Part of 
Highland County, Virginia; portions of Randelph, Tucker, Preston, Pen- 
dleton, Haz'dy, Grant, Hampshire and all of Mineral Counties, West Vir- 



60 SUBDIVISIONS AND BOUNDARIES. 

ginia. The claim of Maryland was resisted, and Governor Floyd, of Vir- 
ginia, appointed Charles J. Faulkner, of Martinsburg, to investigate the 
whole matter, and ascertain, if possible, which was the main Potomac, and 
to consult all available early authorities on the subject. Mr. Faulkner tiled 
his report November ti, 1W32, and in this rcpoi-t he showed that the South 
Branch was not the main Potomac, and ttml Ihc line as fixed by Lord Fair- 
fax's surveyors remained the true and i)i(iii('r boundary between Virginia 
and Maryland. The line due north from ilie Fairfax Stone to the Pennsyl- 
vania line remains the boundary in that quarter between West Virginia and 
Maryland, but the latter State is still disputing it. 

When West Virginia sejsarated from Virginia and took steps to set up 
a government for itself, it was at one time proposed to call the State 
Kanawha; and its eastern boundary was indicated so as to exclude some of 
the best counties now in the State. The counties to be excluded were 
Mercer, Gi-eenbrier, Monroe, Pocahontas, Pendleton, Hardy, then including 
Grant; Hampshire, then including Mineral; Morgan, Berkeley and Jeffei^ 
son. It was jDrovided that any adjoining county of Virginia on the east 
might become a part of the State of West Virginia whenever a majority of 
the people of the county expressed a willingness to enter the new State. 
But, before the State was admitted the boundary line was changed and was 
fixed as it now is found. 

As is well known, the territory which now forms West Virginia was a 
portion of Virginia from the first exploration of the country until separated 
from the State during the Civil War, in 1863. For a quarter of a century 
after the first settlement was planted in Virginia there were no counties; 
but as the country began to be explored, and when the original settlement 
at Jamestown grew, and others were made, it was deemed expedient to 
divide the State into counties, although the entire jjopulation at that time 
was scarcely enough for one respectable county. Accordingly, Virginia 
was divided into eight counties in 1634. The western limits were not 
clearly defined, except that Virginia claimed the land from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific, and it was no doubt intended that the counties on the west 
should embrace all her territory in that direction. The country beyond the 
Blue Ridere was unexplored, and only the vaguest ideas existed concerning 
it. There was a prevailing belief that beyond the Blue Ridge the country 
sloped to the Pacific, and that a river would be found with its source in the 
Blue Ridge and its mouth in that ocean. 

The eastern portion of West Virginia, along the Potomac and its tribu- 
taries in 1735, was no longer an unbroken wilderness, but settlements existed 
in several places. In 1738 it was urged that there were peojile enough in 
the territory to warrant the formation of a new county. Accordingly, that 
portion of Orange west of the Blue Ridge was formed into two counties, 
Augusta and Frederick. Thus Orange County no longer embraced any 
portion of the territory now in this State. Frederick County embraced the 
lower, or northern part of the Shenandoah Valley, with Winchester as the 
county seat, and Augusta the Southern, or Upper Valley, with Staunton as 
the seat of justice. Augusta then included almost all of W<'st Vii-ginia and 
extended to tl^e Mississii^pi River, including nhio, KciiliicU-y, Michigan, 
Indiana and Illinois. From its territoi-y all the ((Mmlics ol West \'ii-ginia, 
except Jefferson, Bei'keley and part of Morgan, ha\e been lormed, and its 
subdivision into counties will be the subject of this chapter. No part of 
West Virginia retains the name of Augusta, but the county still exists in 



SUBDIVISIONS AND BOUNDARIES. 



61 



Virginia, part of the original county of that name, and its county seat is the 
same as at first — Staunton. 

In 1769 Botetourt county was formed from Augusta and included the 
territory now embraced in McDowell, Wyoming, Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh 
and portions of Greenbrier, Boone and Logan. No county in West Vir- 
ginia now has the name Botetourt. It is thus seen that no one of the first 
counties in the territory of West Vir^nia retains -any name in it. Essex, 
Spotsylvania, Orange, Augusta and Botetourt, each in its turn, embraced 
large jaarts of the State, but all the territory remaining under the original 
names is found in old Virginia, where the names are preserved. The Dis- 
trict of West Augusta was a peculiar division of West Virginia's present 




MAP OK THE FIKST COUNTY WHOLLY IN WEST VIUGINIA. 

territory. It was not a county. Its boundary lines as laid down in the Act 
of Assembly in 1776, failed to meet — that is, one side of the District was 
open and without a boundary. Yet counties were formed from West 
Augusta as if it were a county and subject to division. Prom it Monongalia 
was taken, yet part of Monongalia was never in -the District of West 
Augusta. The confusion was due to the ignorance of the geography of the 
region at. that time. The boundary lines, from a mathematical standpoint, 
enclosed nothing, or, at any rate, it is uncertain what they enclosed. The 
act of 1776, declaring the line between Augusta County and the District of 
West Augusta reads as follows : 

"Beginning on the Alleghany Mountain between the heads of the Potomac, Cheat 
and Greenbrier Kivers, thence along the ridge of mountains which divides the waters of 



62 SUBDIVISIONS AND BOUNDARIES. 

Cheat from those of G^reenbrier, and that branch of the Monongahela called Tygart's. 
Valley River to the Motioii^Mhela River, thence uii the said river and the west fork 

thereof Ui Hiiiuenian's ( 'ivcK, (in tlic iKirthwcsl side (if llirs:iicl west fork, thvurv up the 
s:il(lcrcck Id llic licad I linv.ir, rli.Micr in a (iiivct c.Mirsc tiilli.' Iicail (if llic Middle Island 
Creek, a liranch (if llie ( )lii(., ineludine all Ihe ualers dl' said creek in llie aforesaid Di.s- 
trict (if West AuKusta. All lliat lervilnry l.vin- Id llie iidrtliward df Ihe aforesaid boun- 
dary, and to tlie westward of the states of Pennsylvania and Marykiiid, shall be deemed, 
and is hereby declared to be in the DisI rict of West Augusta." 

The territory so laid off would include of the present counties of West 
Virginia a narrow strip through the center of Randolph, east of Cheat 
Mountain, one fourth of Tucker, the western half of Preston, nearly all of 
Marion, and Monongalia, Wetzel, Mit.rsliall, Ohio, Brooke and Hancock, part of 
Tyler and Pleasants, a .small ((hikm- of Doddridge, and an indefinite part of 
the present State of Peimsyh ania. The eastern jiarts of Tucker, Ran- 
doli)h and Preston, outside the boundaries of West Augusta, were subse- 
quently included in Monongalia County, under the apparent presumption 
that they had belonged to West Augusta. 

Following is a list of the counties of West Virginia, with the date of 
formation, area and from whom named: 

Hampshire, 6JJ0 square miles: formed 17.'J4 from Augusta; named for 
Hampshire, England; settled about 1730. 

Berkeley, 320 square miles; formed 1772 from Frederick; named for 
Governor Berkeley, of Virginia; settled about 1730. 

Monongalia, 360 square miles; formed 1776 from West Augusta; 
named for the river; settled 1758. 

Ohio, 120 miles; formed 1776 from West Augusta; settled 1770; named 
for the river. 

Greenbrier, 1000 miles; formed 1777 from Botetourt; settled 1750; 
named for briers growing on the river bank. 

Harrison, 450 miles; formed 1784 from Monongalia; settled 1770; 
named for Benjamin Harrison, Governor of Virginia. 

Hardy, 700 miles; formed from Hampshire 1785; settled 1740; named 
for Samuel Hardy, of Virginia. 

Randolph, loso miles; formed 1786 from Harrison; settled 1753; named 
for Edmund Randolph. 

Pendi>eton, li.'iO Tiiiles; formed 1787 from Augusta, Hardy and Rocking- 
ham; settled IT.'id; iinnicd for Edmund Pendleton. 

Kanawha, '.i^ii miles: formed 1789 from Greenbrier and Montgomery; 
settled 1774: named lor the river. 

Brooke, 80 miles; formed from Ohio 1796; settled about 1772; named 
for Robert Brooke, Governor of Virginia. 

Wood, 375 miles; formed from Harrison 1798; settled about 1778; 
named for James Wood, Governor of Virginia. 

Monroe, 460 miles; formed 1799 from Greenbrier; settled about 1760; 
named for .lames Monroe. 

Jefferson, 250 yiiles; formed 1801 from Berkeley; settled about 1730; 
named for Thomas .lett'erson. 

Mason, 430 miles; formed 1804 from Kanawha; settled about 1774; 
named for George Mason, of Virginia. 

Cabell, 300 miles; formed from Kanawha 18(;)9; settled about 1790; 
named for William H. Cabell, Governor of Virginia. 

Tyler, 300 miles; formed from Ohio 1H14; settled about 1776; named 
for John Tyler. 



SUBDIVISIONS AND BOUNDARIES. 63 

Lewis, 400 miles; formed from Harrison 1H16; settled about 1780; 
named for Colonel Charles Lewis. 

Nicholas, 720 miles: formed IHIH from Kanawha, Greenbrier and 
Randolph; named for W. C. Nicholas, Governor of Virginia. 

Preston, 650 miles; formed IKIH from Monongalia; settled about 1700; 
named for James P. Preston, Governor of Virginia. 

Morgan, 300 miles; formed 1830 from Hampshire and Berkeley; 
settled about 1730; named for Daniel Morgan. 

Pocahontas, 820 miles; formed 1821 from Bath, Pendleton and Ran- 
dolph; settled 1749; named for Pocahontas, an Indian girl. 

Logan, 400 miles, formed from Kanawha, Giles, Cabell and Tazwell, 
1824; named for Logan, an Indian. 

Jackson, 400 miles; formed 1831 from Kanawha, Wood and Mason; 
settled about 1796; named for Andrew Jack.son. 

Fayette, 750 miles; formed from Logan, Kanawha, Greenbrier and 
Nicholas 1831; named for Lafayette. 

Marshall, 240 miles; formed 1835 from Ohio; settled about 1769; 
named for Chief Justice Marshall. 

Braxton, 620 miles; formed 1836 from Kanawha, Lewis and Nicholas; 
settled about 1794; named for Carter Braxton. 

Mercer, 400 miles; formed 1837 from Giles and Tazwell; named for 
General Hugh Mercer. 

Marion, 300 miles; formed 1842 from Harrison and Monongalia; 
named for General Marion. 

Wayne, 440 miles; formed 1841 from Cabell; named for General 
Anthony Wayne. 

Taylor, 150 miles; formed 1844 from Harrison, Barbour and Marion; 
named for John Taylor. 

Doddridge, 300 miles; formed 1845 from Harrison, Tyler, Ritchie and 
Lewis; named for Philip Doddridge. 

Gilmer, 360 miles; formed 1845 from Kanawha and Lewis; named for 
Thomas W. Gilmer of Virginia. 

Wetzel, 440 miles; formed 1846 from Tyler; named for Lewis Wetzel. 

Boone, 500 miles; formed 1847 from Kanawha, Cabell and Logan; 
named for Daniel Boone. 

Putnam, 320 miles; formed 1848 from Kanawha, Cabell and Mason; 
named for Israel Putnam. 

Barboitr, 360 miles; formed 1843 from Harrison, Lewis and Randoliah; 
named for James Barbour, governor of Virginia. 

Ritchie, 400 miles; formed 1844 from Harrison, Lewis and Wood; 
named for Thomas Ritchie of Virginia. 

Wirt, 290 miles; formed 1848 from Wood and Jackson; settled about 
1796; named for William Wirt. 

Hancock, 100 miles; formed 1848 from Brooke; settled about 1776; 
named for John Hancock. 

Raleigh, 680 miles; foi-med 1850 from Payette; named for Sir Walter 
Raleigh. 

Wyoming, 660 miles; formed 1850 from Logan; an Indian name. 

Pleasants, 150 miles; formed 1851 from Wood, Tyler and Ritchie; 
named for James Pleasants, governor of Virginia. 

Upshur, 350 miles; formed 1851 from Randolph, Barbour and Lewis; 
settled about 1767; named for Judge A. P. Upshur. 



64 SUBDIVISIONS AND BOUNDARIES. 

Calhoun, 260 miles; formed 1h:j6 from Gilmer; named for J. C. Cal- 
houn. 

Roane, 350 miles; formed 1856 from Kanawha, Jackson and Gilmer; 
settled about 1791; named for Judge Roane of Virginia. 

Tucker, 340 miles; formed 1856 from Randol^ih; settled about 1774; 
named for Judge St. George Tucker. 

Clay, 390 miles; formed 1858 from Braxton and Nicholas; named for 
Henry Clay. 

McDowell, 860 miles; formed 1858 from Tazwell; named for James 
' McDowell, governor of Virginia. 

Webster, 450 miles; formed 1860 from Randolph, Nicholas and Brax- 
ton; named for Daniel Webster. 

Mineral, 300 miles; formed 1866 from Hampshire; named for its coal. 

Grant, 620 miles; formed 1866 from Hardy; named for General U. S. 
Grant; settled about 1740. 

Lincoln, 460 miles; formed 1867 from Kanawha, Cabell, Boone and 
Putnam; settled about 1799; named for Abraham Lincoln. 

Summers, 400 miles; formed 1871 from Monroe, Mercer, Gfeenbrier 
and Payette; named for Lewis and George W. Summers. 

Mingo, about 400 miles; formed 1895 from Logan; named for Logan 
the Mingo. 



SUBDIVISIONS AND BOUNDARIES. 



65 



POPULATION OF THE COUNTIES OF WEST VIRGINIA 

EACH TEN YEARS FROM 1790 TO 1890, 

BOTH INCLUSIVE, 





1790 


1800 


1810 


1820 


1830 


1840 1850 1860 1870 


1880 1 1890 


Hampshire 

Berlv-elev 

Monongalia .. 

Oliio " 

(;i'i'enl)rier 

Harrison 

Hardv 

Randoipli 

Pendlct..n 
KanawliM 
En. ok,. 

Wood 

Monroe 

Jefferson 

Mason 

Cabell 


734fi 
1971:! 
47(iS 
r.212 
6015 
2080 
733h 
951 
2452 


.«34S 
2200( 
,s.-,4( 
474( 
434;- 
484.S 
fi627 
1821. 
39ti2 
3239 
4706 
1217 
4188 


97S4 
1117!! 

5914 
9958 

2854 

3866 
5843 
3036 
5444 
11851 
1991 
2717 


in,'<S9 
ii::ii 

1101 Id 

7041 
10932 
5700 
3357 
4846 
6399 
6631 
5860 
6580 
13087 
4868 
4789 
2314 
4247 
1853 
3422 
2500 


11279 

Ito.^ii 

l,-,.-,s4 
9(101) 

14722 
6798 
5000 
6271 
9326 
7041 
6429 
7798 

12927 
6534 
5884 
4104 
6241 
3346 
5144 
2694 
2542 
3680 


1224.^ 

1997:2 

i:t:f."i7 

8(i95 
17669 
7622 
6208 
6940 
13567 
7948 
7923 
8422 
14082 
6777 
8163 
6954 
8151 
2255 

4253 
2922 
4309 
4890 
3924 

2575 
2233 


l4o;!i 

11771 
li::!.^7 

l.MKK 

10022 

11728 
9543 
5243 
5797 

15353 
5054 
9450 

10204 

15357 
7539 
6299 
5498 

10031 
3963 

11708 
3557 
3598 
3620 
6544 
3955 

10138 
4212 
4222 

10552 
47(i0 
5357 
2750 
3475 
4282 
3237 
5335 
9005 
3902 
3353 
4050 
1765 
1645 


i:;ii|v 

12211 
13790 
9864 
4990 
6164 
16151 
5494 
11046 
10757 
14535 
9173 
8020 
6517 
7999 
4627 
13312 
3732 
3958 
4938 
8306 
5997 
12937 
4992 
6819 
12722 
6747 
8463 
5203 
3759 
6703 
4840 
6301 
8958 
6847 
3751 
4445 
3367 
2861 
2945 
7292 
2502 
5381 
1428 
1787 
1535 
1555 


1 l'l(H 

|:;.-it7 
-ss:;| 
11417 
l(i714 

55(i;! 

6455 
22349 

5464 
19000 
11124 
13219 
15978 

6429 

7832 
10175 

4458 
14555 

4315 

10300 
6(;47 

14941 
ti480 

7064 
12107 
7852 
9367 
7076 
4338 
8559 
4553 
7794 
10312 
9055 
4804 
4363 
3673 
3171 
3012 
8023 
2930 
7232 
1907 
2196 
1952 
1730 
6332 
4467 
5053 


in:;3( 

U9S.- 

I.-,(l(ll 
201. Si 
(i794 
8102 
8022 
32466 
6013 
25006 
11501 
15005 
22296 
13744 
11073 
13269 
7223 
19091 
5777 
5591 
7329 


11419 
18702 
15705 
41557 
1.S034 
21919 

7567 
11633 

8711 
42756 

6660 
28612 
12429 
15553 
22863 
23528 


Tyler 








Lewis 








15895 


Nicholas 










Preston 








20335 




















6814 


Log'an 










11101 












19021 


Fayette . . . 












ll.ViO 20542 


Marshall 












18840 
9787 
7467 
17198 
14739 
11455 
10552 
7108 
13896 
5824 
11375 
11870 
13474 
7104 
4882 
7367 
4322 
6256 
10249 
6072 
12184 
3151 
3460 
3074 
3207 
8630 
5542 
8739 
9033 


20735 
















Mercer 












16(X»2 


Marion 












20721 


AVayne 














18652 


Tavlor 














12147 


Dnddlili'^c . 














12183 


(iiliiMT. 














9746 


Wet/.cl 














16841 


Boone . 














6885 


Putnam . 














14342 


Barbour 














12702 


Ritchie .... 














16621 


Wirt 














9411 
















6414 


Raleigh 














9597 


Wyoming 














6247 


















U])shur 
















12714 


Calhoun 














8155 


Roane 
















15303 


Tucker 
















6459 


Clay 


















McDowell . 
















7300 


Webster 
















4783 


Mineral 
















12085 


Grant 


















6802 




















11246 


Summers 


















13117 


Mingo 























CHAPTER VIL 



THE NEWSPAPERS OF WEST VIRGINIA, 

Newspaper history commenced in the territory now forming West Vir- 
ginia nearly one hundred years ago; that is, in 1803. The beginning was 
small, but ambitious; and although the first journal to make its aijpearance 
in the State, ceased to pay its visits to the pioneers generations ago; yet, 
from that small beginning has grown a j^ress which will rank with that of 
any State in the Union, if population and other conditions are taken into 
account. West Virginia has no large city, and consequently has no paper 
of metropolitan pretensions, but its press fulfills every requirement of its 
people; faithfully represents every business interest; maintains every hon- 
orable political princijile; upholds morality; encourages education, and has 
its strength in the good will of the jieople. This chapter can do little more 
than present an outline of the growth of journalism in this State, together 
with facts and figures relating to the subject. 

The first paper published in West Virginia was the Monongalia Gazette, 
at Morgantown in 1803. The Farmer's Register, printed at Charlestown, 
Jefferson County, was the next. These were the only papers in the State 
in 1810. The oldest jjaper still being published in West Vii'ginia is the 
Virginia Free Press, printed at Charlestown. It was founded in 1N21. The 
Monongalia Gazette was perhaps an up-to-date journal in its day; but it 
would be unsatisfactory at the pi-esent time. It was in four page fdrm, 
each page sixteen inches long and ten inches wide. There were four col- 
umns to the page. Its editors were Campbell and Briton; its subscription 
rate was six cents a copy, or two dollars a year. It was impossible that a 
weekly paper so small could efliciently cover the news, even though the 
news of that day was far below thestandard set forthe iti-.-sciil time Yet, 
had such a paper been edited in accordance with modcin i<lias, it could 
have exerted a much wider influence than it did exert. Ni 
near enough to make inroads upon its field of circiilatio 
it mighthavehad the whole region to itself. Butil did ii 
have been expected; on the contrary, within three ycai 
about one-half. More space in it was given to foiciLr 
happenings of County, State and Nation. Before tii 
steamboats and telegraphing, it may readily be uudcrsi 
recorded from foreign countries were so stale at the d: 
tion in the backwoods pajjer that they almost desei- 
ancient history. The domestic news, partieidarly tlia 
states, was usually several weeks old before it found place in the Gazette. 
County occurrences, and happenings in the neighboring counties, were 



!(.otl 




P' 


:i|K 


>r was 


and 


inlli 


lie 


'llO 


I': and 


1 e.\p 
it ri' 


(111.' 


, 


'l il 


might 
Is size. 


new? 

davs 
)d til 

, , 1 |- 1 


. tl 
; (.!' 
at 
1 |,|,j 


th 


11 t 


n the 
ibliea- 


..1 eh 




Ii. 


pi: 
i-at 


ioii as 


ivhlti 


iiig 


t 


() d 


istaiit 



THE NEWSPAPERS OF WEST VIRGINIA. 67 

given little attention. Many a valuable scrap of local history might have 
been permanently preserved in that pioneer journal; but the county his- 
torian looks through the crumpled and yellow files in vain. But, on the 
other hand, he encounters numerous mentions of Napoleon's movements; 
the Emperor of Russia's undertakings, and England's achievements; all of 
which would have been valuable as history were it not that Guizot, Ram- 
baud and Knight have given us the same things in better style; so that it is 
labor thrown away to search for them in the circumscribed columns of a 
pioneer paper printed on the forest-covered banks of the Monongahela. 
Joseph Campbell, one of the editors and proprietors of the Gazette, had 
learned the printing trade in Philadelphia. It is not known at what date 
the paper suspended publication. It was customary in early times, as well 
as at the present day, to incorporate two or more papers into one, drop the 
name of one and continue the publication. The Gazette may thus have 
passed quietly out of its individual existence. 

Monjngalia County fostered the first newspaper west of the AUegha- 
nies in the State, and it also has had perhaps as niany papers as any county 
of West Virginia. The full list, from the first till the present time, num- 
bers between thirty and forty. The list comjiiled by Samuel T. Wiley, the 
historian of Monongalia, shows that the County had thirty-one papers prior 
to 1880. Nearly all of these suspended after brief careers. It would be 
diificult to compile a list of all the papers established in this State from the 
earliest times till the present. It would perhaps be impossible to do so, for 
some of them died in their infancy, and a copy cannot now be found. 
There were, no doubt, many whose very names are not now remembered. 
It would not be an extravagant estimate to place the total number of papers 
published in this State, both those still in existence and those which are 
dead, at five hundred. It would be a surprise to many persons to learn 
how ephemeral is the average newspaper. It comes and goes. It has its 
beginning, its prosperity, its adversity, its death. Another follows in its 
path. Few can be called relatively permanent. There are now more than 
one hundred newspapers published in West Virginia. Only nine of these 
were in existence in 1863, when the State was admitted into the Union. 
These nine are the Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling Register, Clarksburg 
Telegram, Charlestown Free Press, Charlestown S^iirit of Jeffei'son, 
Shepherdstown Register, Barbour County Jeffersonian, Wellsburg Herald 
and Point Pleasant Register. Of the papers in existence in this State in 
1870 only sixteen have come down to the present day. The cause of the 
early death of so many papers which begin life in such earnest hope is that 
the field is full. Two newspapers try to exist where there is room for only 
one. It does not require an evolutionist to foretell the result. Both must 
starve or one must quit. If one quits there is always another anxious to 
push in and try its luck. 

West Virginia's experience does not differ from experience elsewhere. 
Journalism in country towns is much the same the country over. In cities 
the business is more stable, because conducted on business principles. 
Men with experience and business training accustom themselves to look 
before they leap. The inexperienced man who is ambitious to crowd some 
one else out of the newspaper business in the interior towns is too prone to 
leap first and do his looking afterwards. There is no scarcity of good news- 
paper men outside the cities, and West Virginia has its share, but at the 
same time there are too many persons who feel themselves called 



68 THE NEWSPAPERS OF WEST VIRGINIA. 

upon to enter the arena, although unprepared for the fray, and who can- 
not hold their own in competition with men of training in the profession. 
To the efforts and failures of these latter persons is due the ephemeral 
character of the lives of newspapers, taken as a whole. Country journal- 
ism comes to be looked ui^on as a changing, evanescent, uncei'tiiin thing, 
always respectable; only moderately and occasionally succcssrnl: iiumgura- 
ted in hope; full of i^romise as the rainbow is full of gold; soinctiirics mate- 
rializing into things excellent; now and then falling like Lucili'i-. Iml always 
to hope again. There is somethiiii,'- stililimc in the rural juuiualisls faith 
in his ability to push forward. TIkhii.'-Ii I allures have been many, country 
journalism has builded greater tliaii it K-iic\v. West Virginia's dcN^'ltipnient 
and the rural press have gone hand in liaml. h'.vci-y raili-dad pushing into 
the wilderness has carried the civ ili/.ini,^ cd itdi- and his on I 111. lie goi^s with 
an unfaltering belief in printer's ink and conlidrnri' in its conciurring power. 
He is ready to do and suffer all things. The mining- town and the hitest 
county seat; the lumber center and the oil belt; the niannlactuiiiiir village 
and the raih'oad terminus; these are the fields in wliicli ln' casts his lot. 
Here he sets up his press; he issues his paper; he booms the town; he 
records the births, marriages and deaths with a monotonous faithfulness; 
he expresses his opinion freely and generously. In return he expects the 
town and the surrounding country to support his enterprise as liberally as 
he has given his time, talent and energy in advancing the interests of the 
town. Sometimes his exi^ectations are i-ealized; sometimes not. If not, 
perhaps he packs his worldly assets and sets out for another town, richer 
in experience but pooi'er in cash. There are men in West Virginia who 
have founded a number of newspapers, usually selling out after a year or 
two in order to found another joiiiaial. 

This is the class of editois who blaze the way into the woods. They 
bear the same relation to the JouinarKsm which follows as the "tomahawk 
right" bore in early days to the plantations and estates which succeeded 
them. After the adventurous and restless journalist has passed on, then 
comes the newspaper man who calculates before he invests. He does not 
come in a hurry. He is not ad-aid some one will get ahead of him. He does 
not locate before he has cai. dully surveyed the lield, and has satisfied him- 
self that the town an<l the suirounding country are able to support such a 
joniaial as he pro]ioses establishing. His aim is to ineiat an<l receive the 
palrona,i,'e of the people. This becomes the solid, sulistanlial paper, and 
its ('diloi' wields a pi'iaiianeid intluence for good. Such papers and such 
editors are found all o\'ei- West \'ii'ginia. 

Journalism : mir businesses is like poetry among the tine arts -the 

most easily dai>l)le<l in Iml the most dil'ticult to succeed in. It may not ap- 
pear to the casual (ihsei'vei- thai Ihe ne\vspa]ier business is nearly always 
unsuccessful, oral least, thai nearly all Ihe papers which come into exist- 
ence meet untiimdy dealli in the very blossom ot llieii' youth. An examina- 
tion of the hist.iry of newspain-rs in nearly any town a half century old will 
show tliat ten haxc failed wlii'i<' one has succeedc<l. The history of journal- 
ism in Monongalia Cotndy, alivady alluded to, dilfers little from the iiistory 
of the papers in any county ol eipial age and population. 

In 1851, when lloi'ace (ircciey was asked by a Parliamentary Conninl- 
tee from England "at what amouid of population of a town in .\mei-ica do 
they first begin the i)ublication of a weekly newspaper^" lie re|)lied that 
every county will have one, and a county of twenty thousand p(>|)ulation 



THE NEWSPAPERS OP WEST VIRGINIA. 69 

usually has two weekly papers; and when a town has fifteen thousand peo- 
ple it usually has a daily paper. This rule does not state the ca.se in West 
Virginia today. The average would probably show one news^japer for each 
six thousand people. In the small counties the average is sometimes as 
low as one pajier to two thousand people, and not one-fourth of these peo- 
ple subscribe for a paper. It is not difficult to see that the field can be easily 
ovei'-suppliod; and among newspapers there must be a survival of the fittest. 

The caily journals published in this State, as well as those published 
elsewhci-c at iliat lime, say seventy or eighty years ago, were very differ- 
ent in a]i])(urau(i' i'rom those of today. The pajier on which the lirinting 
was done was rough, rugged and discolored, harsh to the touch, and of a 
quality inferior to wra|i|iiiig jiapcr of the jn-esent time. Some of them ad- 
vertised that they would takr clean rags at four cents a pound in payment 
of subscriptions. At that linn' paper was made from rags. It is now mostly 
made from wood. Tlir publishers no doubt shipped the rags to the jDaper 
mills and received credit on their jiaper accounts. Some of these early 
journals clung to the old style of punctuation and capitalization; and some, 
to judge by their api)earance, followed no style at all, but were as out- 
landish as possible, particularly in the use of capital letters. They capital- 
ized all nouns, and as many other words as they could, being limited, ap- 
parently, only by the number of capital letters in their type cases. 

As late as 1835 all the printing jjresses in the United States were run 
by hand power. On the eaidiest press the pressure necessary was obtained 
by means of a screw. Fifty papers an hour was fast work. The substitu- 
tion of the lever for the screw increased the capacity of the press five fold. 
This arrangement reached its greatest development in the Washington 
Hand Press, patented in 1829 by Samuel Rust. This press is still the stand- 
by in many small offices. The printing done with it is usually good; but 
the sjieed is slow, and two hundred and fifty impressions an hour is a high 
average. Printers call this pveas "The Man-Killer," because its operation 
requires so much physical exertion. 

The early newspapers in backwoods towns attempted to pull neck and 
neck with the city journals. They tried to give the news from all over the 
world; and the result was, they let the home news go. They were long in 
learning that a small paper's field should be small, and that the readers of 
a local i)aper expect that paper to contain the local news. Persons who 
desired national and foreign news subscribed for metrojjolitan papers. This 
was the case years ago the same as now. In course of time the lesson was 
learned; the local papers betook themselves to their own particular fields, 
with the result that the home paper has become a power at home. The 
growth of journalism has a tendency to restrict the influence of individual 
great pai:)ers to smaller and smaller geographical limits. All round the 
outer borders of their areas of circulation other pajiers are taking posses- 
sion of their territory and limiting them. No daily paper now has a gen- 
eral and large circulation farther away from the place of publication than 
can be reached in a few hours. This is not so much the case with small 
jiapers. When once firmly established they can hold their small circulation 
and local iniluence much more securely than large circulation and large in- 
fluence can be held by metropolitan papers. The trouble with the country 
papers is that the most of them die before they can establish themselves. 

Some of the earliest statesmen feared danger from what they termed a 
newspaper aristocracy, formed by the concentration of the influence of tha 



70 THE NEWSPAPERS OP WEST VIRGINIA. 

press about a comparatively few journals advantageously located in com- 
mercial centers. This danger is feared no more. The power of the press 
has been inlinitesimally divided; among the metropolitan paper.s first; then 
among those in th6 smaller cities; lastly, among tho.se in the smaller towns, 
until all fear of concentration is a thing of the past. The fundamental law 
of evolution, which rules the influence of the press as it rules the destinies 
of nations, or the growth and decline of commerce and political power, ren- 
ders it impossible that any aggregate of newspapers, acting in concert, can 
long wield undisputed influence over wide areas. They must divide into 
smaller aggregate, and subdivide again, each smaller aggregate exercising 
its peculiar power in its own aj^propriated sjihere and not trespassing 
upon the domains of others. The lowest subdivision is the country paper; 
and so secure is it from the inroads of the city journals that it can hold 
its ground as secui-ely as the metropolitan journal can hold its field against 
the paper of the interior. 



CHAPTER VIIL 



GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 

In this chapter will be presented facts concerning West Virginia's 
geography, climate, soil and geology. Its geography relates to the surface 
of the State as it exists now; its geology takes into account not only the 
IDresent surface, but all changes which have affected the surface in the past, 
together with as much of the interior as may be known and understood. 
The climate, like geography, deals chiefly with present conditions; but the 
records of geology sometimes give us glimpses of climates which jirevailed 
ages ago. The soil of a State, if properly studied, is found to depend upon 
geography, geology and climatology. The limits prescribed for this 
chapter render impossible any extended treatise; an outline must suffice. 

Reference to the question of geology naturally comes first, as it is older 
than our present geography or climate. We are told that there was a time 
when the heat of the earth was so great that all substances within it or 
upon its surface were i,n a molten state. It was a white-hot globe made of 
all the inorganic substances with which we are acquainted. The iron, sil- 
ver, gold, rock, and all else were liquid. The earth was then larger than 
it is now, and the days and nights were longer. After ages of gi-eat length 
had passed the surface cooled and a crust or shell was formed on the still 
very hot globe. This was the first ajipearance of "rock," as we understand 
the word now. The surface of the earth was no doubt very rough, but with- 
out high mountains. The crust was not thick enough to support high 
mountains, and all underneath of it was still melted. Probably for thous- 
ands of years after the first solid crust made its appearance there was no rain, 
although the air was more filled with moisture then than now. The rocks 
were so hot that a drop of water, upon touching them, was instantly turned 
to steam. But they gradually cooled, and z-ains fell. Up to this point in 
the earth's history we are guided solely by inductions from the teachings 
of astiDiKiiiiy, assisted to some extent by well-known facts of chemistry. 
Any (lfs(iipii(jn of our world at that time must be speculative, and as ap- 
l)licable to one part as to anothei'. No human eye ever saw and recognized 
as such one square foot of the original crust of the earth in the form in 
which it cooled irom the molten state. Rains, winds, fi-osts and fire have 
broken up and worn away some parts, and with the sand and sediment thus 
formed, buried the other i)arts. But that it was exceedingly hot is not 
doubted; and there is not wanting evidence that only the outer crust has 
yet reached a tolerable degree of coolness, while all the interior surpasses 
the most intense furnace heat. Upheavals and dejiressions affecting large 
areas, so often met with in the study of geology, are supposed to be due to 



72 GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 

the settling down of the solid crust in one place and the consequent up- 
heaval in another. Could a raUroad train run thirty minutes, at eCn ordi- 
nary speed, toward the center of the earth, it would probably reach a tem- 
perature that would melt iron. And it may be stated, i^arenthetically, could 
the same train run at the same speed for the same time away from the cen- 
ter of the earth, it would reach a temperature so cold that the hottest day 
would show a thermometer one hundred degrees below zero. So narrow is 
the sphere of our existence — below us is fire; above us "the measureless 
cold of space. " 

When we look out upon our quiet valleys, the Kanawha, the Potomac, 
the Monongahela, or contemplate our mountains, rugged and near, or robed 
in distant blue, rising and rolling, range beyond range, peak above peak; 
cliffs overhanging gorges and ravines; meadows, uplands, glades beyond; 
with brooks and rivers; the landscape fringed with flowers or clothed with 
forests, we are too apt to jiause before fancy has had time to call up that 
strange and wonderful panorama of distant ages when the waves of the sea 
swept over all, or when only broken and angular rocks thru.st their should- 
ers through the foam of the ocean as it broke against the nearly submerged 
ledges where since have risen the highest peaks of the Alleghanies and the 
Blue Ridge. Here where we now live have been strange scenes. Here 
have been beauty, awfulness and sublimity, and also destruction. There 
was a long age with no winter. Gigantic ferns and rare palms, enormous 
in size, and with delicate leaves and tendrils, flourished over wide areas and 
vanished. And there was a time when for ages there was no summer. But 
we know of this age of cold from records elsewhere, for its record in West 
Virginia has been blotted out. Landscapes have disappeared. Fertile val- 
leys and undulating hills, with soil deep and fruitful, have been washed 
away, leaving only a rocky skeleton, and in many places even this has been 
ground to jjowder and carried away or buried under sands and drift from 
other regions. 

An outline of some of the changes which have atfected the little spot in 
the earth's surface now occu^jied by West Virginia will be presented, not 
by any means complete, but sufficient to convey an idea of the agencies 
which enter into the workings of geology. It is intended for the young 
into whose hands this book will come, not for those whose maturer years 
and greater opportunities have already made them acquainted with this 
sublime chai^ter in the book of creation. 

When the crust of the earth had cooled sufficiently rains washed down 
the higher portions, and the sands and sediment thus collected were spread 
over the lower parts. This sand, when it had become hai'dened, formed 
the first layers of rock, called strata. Some of these very ancient forma- 
tions exist yet and have been seen, but whether they are the oldest of the 
layer rocks no man knows. Some of the ancient layers of great thickness, 
after being deposited at the sea bottoms, were heated from the interior of 
the earth and were melted. In these cases the stratified appearance has 
usually disappeared, and they ai-e called metamorphic rocks. Some geolo- 
gists regard most granite as a rock of this kind. 

As the earth cooled more and more it shrank in size, and the surface 
was shriveled and wrinkled in folds, large and small. The larger of these 
wrinkles were mountains. Seas occupied the low places, and the first 
brooks and rivers began to appear, threading their way wherever the best 
channels could be found. Rains, probably frost also, attacked the higher 



GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 73 

ridges and rocky slopes, almost destitute of soil, and the washings were 
carried to the seas, forming other layers of rocks on the bottoms, and thus 
the accumulation went on, varying in I'ate at times, but never changing the 
general plan of rock-building from that day to the 23resent. All rock, or 
very nearly all, in West Virginia were formed at the bottom of the ocean, 
of sand, mud and gravel, or of shells, or a mixtuz'e of all, the ingredients of 
which were cemented together with silica, iron, lime, or other mineral sub- 
stance held in solution in water. They have been raised up from the water, 
and now form diy land, and have been cut and carved into valleys, ridges, 
gorges and the various inequalities seen within our State. These rocks are 
sometimes visible, forming cliffs and the bottoms and banks of streams and 
the toi^s of peaks and barren mountains; but for the greater part of West 
Virginia the underlying rocks are hidden by soil. This soil, however, at 
the deepest, is only a i'ew feet thick, and were it all swept off we should 
have visible all over the State a vast and comi)licated system of ledges and 
bowlders, carved and cut to conform to every height and depression now 
marking the surface. The aggregate thickness of these layers, as they 
have been seen and measured in this State, is no less than four miles. In 
other words, sand and shells four miles deeji (and perhaps more) were in 
jiast time spread out on the bottom of a sea which then covered West Vir- 
ginia, and after being hardened into rock, were raised up and then cut into 
valleys and other inequalities as we see them today. The rockbuilding was 
not all done during one uninterrupted period, nor was there only one up- 
heaval. West Virginia, or a portion of it, has been sevei-al times under and 
above the sea. The coast line has swep! back and forth across it again and 
again. We read this history from the rocks themselves. The skilled geol- 
ogist can determine, from an examination of the fossil shells and plants in 
a stratum, the period of the earth's history when the stratum was formed. 
He can determine the old and the youngest in a series of strata. Yet, not 
from fossils alone may this be d-etermined. The position of the layers with 
regard to one another is often a sure guide in discovering the oldest and 
youngest. The sands having been spread out in layers, one above the 
other, it follows that those on top are not so old ;is those below, exce^jt in 
cases, unusual in this State, where strata have been Idldcd so sharply that 
they have been broken and turned over. Thus the older rocks may lie 
above the newer. 

Unmeasured as are the ages recorded in the mountains and cliffs of 
West Virginia, yet the most ancient of our ledges are young in comparison 
with those of other parts of the woz'ld, or even of neighboi'ing provinces. 
North of us is a series of rocks, the Laurentian of Canada, more than five 
miles thick, formed, like ours, of the slow accumulation of sand. Yet that 
series was finished and was probably partly worn away before the first 
grain of sand or the first shell, of which we have any record, found a rest- 
ing place on the bottom of the Cambrian sea, which covered West Virginia. 
If the inconceivable lajjse of years required for accumulating shell and sand 
four miles deej) in the sea bottom, where we now live, amazes us, what must 
we say of that vaster period reaching back into the cycles of the infant 
world, all of which were i3a.st and gone before the foundations of our moun- 
tains were laid! Nor have we reached the beginning yet. No man knows 
whether the Laurentian rocks are oldest of the layers, and if they are, still 
back of them stretches that dim and nebulous time, unrecorded, uncharted, 
penetrated only by the light of astronomy, when the unstratified rocks were 



74 GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 

taking form, from whose disintegrated material all subsequent formations 
have been built. 

Let us begin with the Cambrian age, as geologists call it. Within the 
limits of our State we have little, if any, record of anything older. Were a 
map made of eastern United States during that early jjeriod it would show 
a mass of land west of us, covering the Middle States, Ohio, Indiana, 
Illinois and beyond. Another mass of land would lie east of us, occupyinsr 
the Atlantic Coastal Plain, from New England to South Carolina, and 
extending to an unknown distance eastward, where the Atlantic Ocean now 
is. Between these two bodies of land spread a narrow arm of the sea, from 
the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Alabama. West Virginia was at the bottom of 
that sea, whose eastern coast line is believed to have occujiied nearly the 
position, and to have followed the general direction, of what is now the 
Blue Ridge. Sand washed from this land east of us was sjiread upon the 
bottom of the sea and now forms the lowest layers of rocks met with in 
West Virginia, the foundations of our mountains. But this rock is so deep 
that it is seen only in a few places where it has been brought up by folds 
of the strata, and where rivers have cut deep. For the most part of the 
State these Cambrian rocks lie buried, under subsequent formations, thous- 
ands of feet deep. 

There were mountains of considerable magnitude in that land east of 
the sea. The country west of the sea must have been low. During the 
immense time, before the next great change, the eastern mountains were 
worn down and carried, as sand and mud, into the sea. The Silurian age 
followed, and as it drew near, the region began to sink. The sea which had 
covered the greater part of West Virginia, or at least the eastern part of it, 
began to overflow the country both east and west. The watez'S spread 
westward beyond the jiresent Mississippi. The land to the eastward had 
become low and not much sediment was now coming from that direction. 
The washings from the rounded hills were probably accumulating as a deep 
soil in the low plains and widening valleys. Over a lai'ge part of West Vir- 
ginia, during the Silurian age, thick beds of limestone were formed of 
shells, mixed with more or less sediment. Shell-fish lived and died in the 
ocean, and when dead their skeletons sank to the bottom. It is thus seen 
that the origin of limestone differs from that of sandstone in this, that the 
former is a product of water, while the material for sandstone is washed 
into water from land. 

The character of rocks usually tells how far from land they were" 
formed, and if sandstone, what kind of count rv fui'uished the material. The 
coarsest sandstones were deposited near sin uc, li:irk of which the country 
was usually high and steeji. Pine-graiin'd samlstones, or shales, wei-e 
probably laid down ahmg flat shon's. alxivc which Ww land had little eleva- 
tion. Or they may have l)i'i'u (h'])()si1tMl I'l'din Hue scdiinciit which drifted a 
considerable distance from laud. IT liincstoiu' is i)un>, it is proof that little 
sediment from the land reached it while being formed. The limestone de 
posited over a considerable part of West Virginia during the closing of the 
Cambrian and the beginning of the Silurian age forms beds from three 
thousand to four thousand feet thick. During the long period required for 
the accumulation of this mass of shells, the land to the east remained com- 
paratively flat or continued slowly to sink. We know this, because there 
is not much sediment mixed with the limestone, and this would not be the 
case had large quantities been poured into the sea from the land. 



GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 75 

Anothei- great change was at hand. The land area east of us began to 
rise, and the surface became steep. What perhaps had been for a long 
time low, rounding hills, and wide, flat valleys, with a deejj accumulation 
of soil, was raised and tilted; and the stronger and more rapid current of 
the streams, and the rush of the rain water down the more abrupt slopes, 
sluiced off the soil into the sea. The beds of limestone were covered two 
thousand feet deep beneath sand and mud, the spoils from a country which 
must have been fertile and jaroductive. The land was worn down. Ages 
on ages passed, and the work of grinding went on; the rains fell; the winds 
blew; the floods came; the frost of winter and the heat of summer followed 
each other^ through years surpassing recoi"d. Near the close of the Silurian 
time the store of the continent to the east rose and sank. The vertical 
movements were perhaps .small; they may have been just enough to sub- 
merge the coastal jilain, then raise it above water, repeating the operation 
two or more times. The record of this is in the alternating coarse and fine 
sediments and sand composing the rocks formed during that time. At the 
close of the Silurian period the continent east of us was worn down again 
and had become low. The sea covering West Virginia had been cut off 
from the Gulf of St. Lawrence by an upheaval in the State of New York. 
The uijlift of the land seems to have been much greater during this time 
north of us than south. The Devonian age followed, which was a great 
rock-builder in the North. The aggregate thickness of the Devonian rocks 
in Pennsylvania is no less than nine thousand feet. Prom there to south- 
ward it thins out, like a long, sloping wedge, until it disappears in Ala- 
bama, after thinning to twenty-five feet in southern Tennessee. In some 
parts of West Virginia the Devonian rocks are seven thousand feet thick. 
The sediments of which these strata were made were usually fine-grained, 
forming shales and medium sandstones, with some limestones here and 
there. The long, dreary Devonian age at la.st drew to a close, and an 
epoch, strange and imperfectly understood, dawned upon the earth. It was 
during this age that the long summer prevailed; the winterless climate over 
the northern hemisphere; the era of wonderful vegetation; the time of plant- 
growth such as was perhajis never on earth before, nor will be again. It 
is known as the Carboniferous age. 

During that jjeriod our coal was formed. The rocks deposited on the 
sea bottom in the Carboniferous age range in thickness from two thousand 
to eight thousand feet in different parts of West Virginia. During this time 
there is evidence of the breaking up and re-distribution of a vast gravel bar 
which had lain somewhere out of reach of the waves since earlier ages. 
This bar, or this aggregation whether a bar or not, was made up of quartz 
pebbles, varying in size from a grain of sand to a cocoanut, all worn and 
polished as if rolled and fretted on a beach or in turbulent mountain 
streams for centuries. By some means the sea obtained possession of them 
and they were spread out in layers, in some i)laces 800 feet thick, and were 
cemented together, forming coarse, hard rocks. We see them along the 
summits of the Alleghanies, and the outlaying spurs and ridges, from the 
southern borders of our State, to the Pennsylvania line, and beyond. The 
formation is called conglomerate; and the popular names are "Bean Rock," 
"Millstone Grit," etc. A heavy stratum of this stone forms the floor of the 
coal measures. The pebbles probably represent the most indestructible 
remnant of mountains, once seamed with quartz veins, but degraded and 
obliterated before the middle of the Carboniferous era, perhaps long before. 



76 GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 

The quartz, on account of its hardness, resisted the grinding process which 
pulverized the adjacent rock, and i-emained as pebbles, in bars and beds, 
until some great ch an, <ri' s\\i'iit tlicin inln llic sea. Tlicir quantity was enor- 
mous. The rocks ('oiiiposcd oT tlicin imw cdx-ci' tliousands of square miles. 

As the Carboniferous a^'e i)iugro.s.si!d the sea which had covered the 
greater part of West Vii-giuia since Cambrian time, was nearing its last 
days. It had come down from the Cambrian to the Silurian, from the 
Silurian to the Devonian, from the Devonian to the Carboniferous, but it 
came down through the ages no furthei*. From that area where the waves 
had rolled for a million years they were about to recede. With the pas.sing 
of the sea, rose the land, which has since been crossed by ranges of the 
Alleghany, Blue Ridge, Laurel Ridge, and all their spurs and hills. Prom 
the middle of the Carboniferous epoch to its close was a period of disturb- 
ance over the whole area under consideration. The bottom of the sea was 
lifted up, became dry land, and sank again. It seemed that a mighty effort 
was being made by the land to throw back the water which had so long held 
dominion. It was a protracted, jjowerful struggle, in which first the land 
and then the water gained the mastery. Back and forth for hundreds of 
miles swejit and receded the sea. Years, centuries, millenmals, the 
struggle continued, but finally the land prevailed, was lifted up and the 
waves I'etreated westward and southward to the Gulf of Mexico, and West 
Virginia was dry land, and it has remained such to this day. 

Beds of coal, unlike layc^rs of rock, are made ahovn water, or at its 
immediate surface. While t lu' oscillation hd ween sea ainl laud was going 
on, during the Carboniferous a.i."', W'csl \'ir,i,nuia's roal fields were being 
formed. Coal is made of wood and plauls ol' \arious Iciud, which grew with 
a phenomenal luxuriance during a long pciiod of suiuiuit that reigned over 
the northern half of the earth. Each bed olCoal icpicscnts aswamji, large 
or small, in which plants grew, fell and were burieil for centuries. The 
whole country in which coal was forming was probably low and it was 
occasionally submerged for a few thousand years. During the submergence 
sand and mud settled over it and hardened into rock. Then the land was 
lifted up again, and the material for another bed of coal was accumulated. 
Every alternation of coal and rock marks an elevation and subsidence of 
the land — the coal formed on hind, the rock under water. This was the 
period when the sea was ad\au(iuu and needing across West »Virginia, as 
the Carboniferous age was drawing lo a close. 

Other ages of geology succeei'ded the Carboniferous; but little record 
of them remains in West Virginia. The land here was above the sea; no 
sediment could be deposited to form rocks, and of course there was little on 
which a permanent record could he written. The strata underlying the 
gi'<'a1cf |iaf1 of oui' State grew thicKci' and deeper from tlie Caiul>i-ia,n age 
to till' CarlMUiilerous: tlieii tlu^si'a receded, and from that time to thei)res- 
ent the layers of rocU have been umlergoiug the wear and t<Mr ot the ele- 
ments, and the aggi-egate has been i,'-i-owin,ir thinner. The strata have been 
folded, upraised by suliterraneau I'orce and cut llii-ough l>y rivers. In .some 
places the Carboniferous I'ocks ha\-e not yid Ijeeii w(_)rn away; in other 
places the river gorges haxc reached the bottom of the Devonian rocks; in 
still other localities thegii'at Silurian la\ius have been cut through; and 
in a few places the cutting has gone down deep into the Cambrian rocks. 
The Glacial age, the empire of "steadfast, inconceivable cold," which fol- 
lowed the warm period in which coal was formed, did not write its history 



GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 77 

in West Virginia as indelibly as in some other parts of our country. The 
great morains and bowlders so conspicuous in other localities are not 
found with us. No doubt the cold here was intense; perhaps there were 
glaciers among the high lands; but the evidence has been well-nigh oblit- 
erated. 

Land seems to have been lifted up in two ways, one a vertical move- 
ment which elevated large areas and formed jilateaus, but not mountains; 
the other, n lioriznntal movement which caused folds in the strata, and 
these folds, if larir<" i-nough, are ranges of mountains. In West Vii-ginia 
we havclioth aiding in the same area. Independently of the mountains. 
West Virghiia lui.s a rounding form, sloping gradually upward from three 
directions. Imagine the mountain ranges sheared off until no irregular 
elevations exist in the State. The resulting figure would show West Vir- 
ginia's surface as it would be presented to us if no strata had been folded to 
make mountain ranges. This is the shajie given by the vertical upheaval 
since the Carboniferous age, uninfluenced by the horizontal thrust of strata. 
The figure would show a great swell in the surface, the highest portion at 
the interlocking sources of the Greenbrier, the Elk, the Potomac, the east 
fork of the Monongahela, and Cheat. Prom that highest point the sui'face 
slopes in eVery direction, as shown by the course of the rivers. There is a 
long, curved arm of the plateau, thrust out toward the southwest, reaching 
around through Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe and McDowell Counties, 
and overlapping into the State of Virginia. The New River, from the 
highlands of North Carolina, cuts through tliis ]i]ateau to join the Kanawha 
on the western side. The highest jjart of lliis I'ounded area is perhaps 
three thousand feet above sea level, not counting the mountains which 
stand upon the plateau, for, in order to make the matter jilain, we have 
supposed all the mountains sheared off level with the surface of the plateau. 

Having now rendered it clear that portions of West Virginia would be 
high if there were not a mountain in the State, let us proceed to consider 
how the mountains were formed and why nearly all the highest summits 
are clustered in three or four counties. We have already observed that 
ranges of mountains, such as ours, were formed by the folding of layers of 
rocks. This is apjiarent to any one who has seen one of our mountains cut 
through from top to bottom, such as the Npw Creek Mountain at Green- 
land Gap, in Grant County. Place seveiiil layers of thick cloth on a table, 
l^ush the ends toward each other. Tln^ middli' of the cloth will rise in 
folds. In like manner were our mounlaiiis formed. The layers of rock 
were pushed horizontally, oih' foiic ailiiii-'- fi'om the southeast, the other 
from the northwest. Rivers and rain-. Iia\ >■ carved and cut them, changing 
their original features soincwhal: Iml their I'liiof charactei-istics remain. 
The first upheaval, wliieh was \- Mtical, raised tlie West X'irginia |ilati.'au, as 
we believe; the next iipiieaAal, wliieli was eansed by lioi-i/.oula! tlii-ust, 
folded the layers of rocks and maile monntain ranires. From this viewit is 
not difficult to account foi- so inan\' liie-li peaJvs in one small area. The 
mountain ranges cross tite |ilaleau, luninng up one slope, across the sum- 
mit, and down the opijosite slojje. Tlie.se ranges are from one thousand to 
nearly two thousand feet high, measuring from the general level of the 
country on which they stand. But that general level is itself, in the 
highest part about three thousand feet above the sea. So a mountain, in 
itself one thousand feet in elevation, may stand upon a plateau three times 
that high, and thus its summit will be four thousand feet above the sea. 



78 GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 

The highest peaks in the State are where the ranges of mountains cross the 
highest part of the jilateau. There are many other mountains in the State 
which, when measured from base to summit, are as high as those just men- 
tioned, but they do not have the advantage of resting their bases on ground 
so elevated, consequently their summits are not so far above sea level. To 
express it briefly, by a homely comparison, a five-foot man on three-foot 
stilts is higher than a six-foot man on the ground; a one thousand-foot moun- 
tain on a three thousand-foot plateau is higher than a two thousand-foot 
mountain near the sea level. 

Exact measurements showing the elevation of West Virginia in various 
parts of its area, when studied in connection with a map of the State, show 
clearly that the area rises in altitude from all sides, culminating in the nest 
of peaks clustered around the sources of the Potomac, the Kanawha and 
Monongahela. The highest point in the State is Spruce Mountain, in Pen- 
dleton County, 4,S60 feet above sea level; the lowest point is the bed of the 
Potomac at Harper's Perry, 260 feet above the sea; the vertical range is 
4,600 feet. The Ohio, at the mouth of Big Sandy, on the boundary between 
West Virginia and Kentucky, is 500 feet; the mouth of Cheat, at the Penn- 
sylvania line, is 775. The general level of Pocahontas County is about 
3,000 above the sea. The bed of Greenbrier River where it enters Poca- 
hontas is 3,300 feet in elevation. Where Shaver's Fork of Cheat River 
leaves Pocahontas its bed is 3,700 feet. A few of the highest peaks in Po- 
cahontas, Pendleton, Randolph and Tucker Counties are: Spruce Knob, 
Pendleton County, 4,860 feet above sea level; Bald Knob, Pocahontas 
County, 4,800; Spruce Knob, Pocahontas County, 4,730; High Knob, Ran- 
dolph County, 4,710; Mace Knob, Pocahontas County, 4,700; Barton Knob, 
Randolph County, 4,600; Bear Mountain, Pocahontas County, 4,600; EUeber 
Ridge, Pocahontas County, 4,600; Watering Pond Knob, Pocahontas Coun- 
ty, 4,600; Panther Knob, Pendleton County, 4,500; Weiss Knob, Tucker 
County, 4,490; Green Knob, Ivjindolph County, 4,485; Brier Patch Moun- 
tain, Randolph County, 4, IsO; Yokum's Knob, Randolph County, 4,330; 
Pointy Knob, Tucker County, 4,-86; Hutton's Knob, Randolph County, 
4,260. 

We do not know whether the vertical upheaval which raised the 
plateau, or the horizontal compression which elevated the mountains, has 
yet ceased. We know that the work of destruction is not resting. Whether 
the uplift is still acting with sufficient force to make our mountains higher, 
or whether the elements are chiseling down rocks and lowering our whole 
surface, we cannot say. But this we can say, if the teachings of geology 
may be taken as warrant for the statement, every mountain, every hill, 
every cliff, rock, upland, even tli<> valleys, and the whole vast underlying 
skeleton of rocks must ultiiiiulrly ])ass away and disappear beneath the sea. 
Rain and frost, wind and llic uusi'cn themical forces, will at last complete 
the work of destruction. EvLuy rock will be worn to sand, and the sand 
will go out with the currents of our rivers, until the rivers no longer have 
currents, and the sea will flow in to cover the desolation. The sea once 
covered a level world; the world will again be level, and again will the sea 
cover it. 

There is greater diversity of climate in West Virginia than in almost 
any other area of the United States of equal size. The climate east of the 
Alleghanies is different from that west of the range; while that in the high 
plateau region is different from both. The State's to^jography is responsi- 



GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 79 

ble for this, as might be expected from a vertical range of more than four 
thousand feet, with a portion of the land set to catch the west wind, and a 
portion to the east, and still other parts to catch every wind that blows. 
Generally speaking, the country east of the AUeghanies has the warmer 
and dryer climate. In the mountain regions the summers are never very 
hot, and the winters are always very cold. The thermometer sometimes 
falls thirty degrees below zero near the summit of the AUeghanies, while 
the highest summer temperature is seldom above ninety degrees, but the 
record shows ninety-six. The depth of snow varies with the locality and 
the altitude. Records of snow six and seven feet deep near the summits of 
the highest mountains have been made. At an elevation of fifteen hundred 
feet above the sea there was snow forty-two inches deep in 1856 along the 
mountains and valleys west of the AUeghanies. In 1831, at an elevation of 
less than one thousand feet, snow accumulated three feet deep between the 
mountains and the Ohio River. Tradition tells of a snow in the northwest- 
ern part of the State in 1780 which was still deeper; but exact measurements 
were not recorded. The summers of 1838 and 1854 were almost rainless 
west of the mountains. In the same region in 1834 snow fell four inches 
deep on the fifteenth of May; and on June 5, 1859, a frost killed almost every 
green thing in the central and northern part of the State. 

The average annual rainfall for the State of West Virginia, including 
melted snow, is about forty-seven inches. During some years the rainfall 
is three or four times as great as in other years. The precipitation is 
greater west of the AUeghanies than east, and greatest near the summit of 
these mountains, on the western side. Our rains and snows come from two 
general directions, from the west-southwest and from the east. Local 
storms may come fi'om any direction. Eastern storms are usually confined 
to the region east of the AUeghanies. The clouds which bring rains from 
that quarter come from the Atlantic Ocean. The high country following 
the summits of the Appalachian range from Canada almost to the Gulf of 
Mexico is the dividing line between the two systems of rains and winds 
which visit West "Virginia. Storms from the Atlantic move up the gentle 
slope from the coast to the base of the mountains, 2M-ecii3itating their mois- 
ture in the form of rain or snow as they come. They strike the abrupt east- 
ern face of the AUeghanies, exi^ending their force and giving out the 
remainder of their moisture there, seldom crossing to the west side. The 
Blue Ridge is not high enough to interfere seriously with the jiassage of 
clouds across their summits; but the AUeghanies are usually a barrier, 
especially for eastern storms. As the clouds break against their sides there 
are sometimes terrific rains below, while very little and perhaps none falls 
on the summit. On such an occasion an observer on one of the Alleghany 
peaks can look down upon the storm and can witness the play of lightning 
and hear the thunder beneath him. Winds which cross high mountains 
seldom dejjosit much rain or snow on the leeward side. 

Whence, then, does the western part of our State receive its rains? Not 
from the Atlantic, because the winds which bring rain for the country west 
of the AUeghanies blow towards that ocean, not from it. No matter in what 
part of the world rain or snow falls, it was derived from vapor taken up by 
the sun from some sea or ocean. An insignificant portion of the world's rain- 
fall is taken up as vapor from land. Prom what sea, then, do the winds blow 
which bring the rain that falls against the western slopes of the mountains 
and waters the country to the Ohio river and beyond? 



80 GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 

Take the back track of the winds and follow them to their starting 
point and that will settle the question. They come from a direction a little 
west of southwe.st. That course will lead Id tho Pacific Ocean west of 
Mexico. Go on in the .same dirci-liou twn thousand or three thousand miles, 
and reach the erfuator. Then tuin al liiclit au,i,'les and go southeast some 
thousand inilcs further and readi thai wide domain of the Pacific which 
stretches IVdin South America to Australia. There, most probably, would 
be found the startin.s? ]X)int of ihf winds w liich bi'ing us rain. The evidence 
to substantiale t his statement is too elahi .rate and coin] ilex to Ix'iriven here; 
suffice it that theLcreat wind systems of the world, with t hei r circuits, cur- 
rents and countei' currents, have l.eeii ti'aced and charted until they are 
almost as well known as are the rivers of 1 he world." Not only is the great 
distance from which our rains come an astonishing theme for contempla- 
tion, but the immense quantity transimrted is more amazing — a sheet of 
water nearly four feet thick and covering an area of twenty thousand square 
miles, lifted by the sun's rays every year from the South Pacific, carried 
through the air ten thousand miles and sprinkled with a bountiful profu- 
sion ujion our mountains, hills, vales, meadows and gardens to make them 
pleasing and fruitful. 

The soil of a country is usually understood to be the covering of the 
solid rock. It is very thin in comjiarison with the thickness of the subja- 
cent rock, not often more than four or five feet and frequently less. This 
is not the place for a chemical discussion of soils; but a few plain facts may 
be given. What is soil? Of what is it made? In the first place, leaving 
chemical questions out, soil is siniplv pidscrized rock, mixed with vegetable 
or animal remains. The rocky ledires umlerlying a country, become disin- 
tegrated near the surface; they decom|iose; the sand and dust accumulate, 
washin.i,'- iido the low phu-cs and lea\in,ir the hiirh jKiints more or less bare, 
and a. soil of sufticieni ilepth is foi'med to support vegetation. A soil in 
which little or no \-e,iretal)le humus is intermixed, is poor, audit produces 
little growth. Sand alone, no matter how linely pulverized is not capable 
of supporting vegetation, except a, few peculiar si>ecies or varieties. This 
is why hillsides are so often nearly bare. The soil is deep enough, but it is 
poor. The state of being poor is nothing moi-e than a lack of humus, or 
decaying ve.sretation. Those jwor hillside soils either never had humus in 
them, or it has Ihmui waslied out. A soil tolerahle fertile is .sometimes made 
miserably pooi' by heini,'- burned over each year wlien the leaves fall. The 
supply of vegetaitle matter which Avould have e;(ine to furnish what the soil 
needed, is thus Imnied and desti'oyed: ami in coui'se of time that which was 
already in the soil is consumeil oi' waslu'd out, and instead of a fertile wood- 
land, there is a blasted, lifeless ti-act. Examples of this are too often met 
with in West N'iririnia. 

Excessixe tillage of land exhausts it, because it takes out the organic 
matter and puts nothing back. It does not exhaust the disintegrated rock 
- the sand, I he clay, the dust; but it lak-esout the \itai part, the mold of 
vee-etalion. h'ertili/.ers are used to restore the Icrtiliiy of exhausted land. 
Thai process is misleading, in many cases. Too often the fertilizing mater- 
ial is a stimulant rather than a foo(l to the lan<l. It often adds no element 
of fertility, but, by a chemical process, compels the soil to give up all the 
remaining humus; and when the vegetal)le uuitter is all gone from the soil, 
all the fertilizers of that kind in the world would not cause the land to pro- 

♦ See Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea. 



GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 81 

duce a crop. The intelligent farmer does not need be told this. His experience 
has taught him the truth of it. No land is ,so completely sterile as that 
which, through excessive use of fertilizers, has been compelled to part with 
its vegetable matter. Something cannot be created from nothing. If a 
soil has no plant food in it, and a fertilizer contains no plant food, the 
mixing of the two will not produce plant life. 

A crop of clover, of buckwheat, of rye, or any other crop, plowed under, 
fertilizes land because it adds vegetable matter to the soil. Then if the soil 
is stubborn about yielding up its fertility, a treatment of the proper fertil- 
izing agent will compel it to do so. Bottom lands along the rivers and 
creeks are usually more fertile than lands on the hills because rains leach 
the uplands and wash the decaying leaves and the humus down upon the 
lowlands. The soil along the river bottoms is often many feet deep, and 
fertile all the way down. This is because the washings from the hills have 
been accumulating there for ages faster than the vegetation which annually 
drew from it could exhaust the supply. It sometimes happens that the 
surface of a deep soil is exhausted by long cultivation; and that a sub-soil 
plow, which goes deejier than usual, turns up a new fertile soil which had 
lain beyond the reach of plant roots for ages. Occasionally a flood which 
covers bottom lands leaves a deposit of mud which is full of humus. This 
enriches the land where it lodges, but the mountain districts from which it 
was carried wei-e robbed of that much fertility. 

Disintegrated rock of all kinds cannot be made fertile by the usual 
addition of vegetable humus. Certain chemical conditions must be complied 
with. Limestone generally forms good soil because it contains elements 
which enter into plants. Strata of rock, as we now see them, were once 
beds of sand and sediment. They hardened and became stone. Sandstone 
is formed of accumulations of sand; shale is made from beds of clay or 
mud; limestone was once an aggregation of shells and skeletons of large 
and small living creatures. When these rocks are broken up, disintegrated 
and become soils, they return to that state in which they were before they 
became rock. The limestone becomes shells and bones, but of course pul- 
verized, mixed and changed; sandstone becomes sand again; shale becomes 
mud and clay as it originally was. This gives a key to the cause of some 
soils being better than others. A clay bank is not easily fertilized; but a 
bed of black mud usually possesses elements on which plants can feed. So, 
if the disintegrating shale was originally sterile clay, it will make a poor 
soil; but if it was originally a fertile mud, the resulting soil will be good. 
If the disintegrating sandstone was once a jjure quartz sand, the soils will 
likely be poor, but if it was something better, the soil will be better. The 
fertility of limestone soil is mainly due to the animal matter in the rock. 
It should always be borne in mind, however, that the difference of soils is 
dependent not so much upon their chemical composition as upon the 
physical arrangements of their particles. 

Plants do not feed exclusively upon the soil. As a matter of fact, a 
large part of the material which enters into the construction of the stems 
and leaves of some plants is derived from the air. Some plants prosper 
without touching the soil. A species of Chinese lily flourishes in a bowl of 
water with a few small rocks in the bottom. On the other hand there are 
plants that will wither in a few minutes if taken from the ground. This 
shows that some plants extract more material from the soil than other. It 
is a common saying that buckwheat rapidly exhausts land. 



82 GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE. 

Some lands are more affected by drought than others, when both 
receive the same rainfall. This may be due to the character of the under- 
lying rocks, although usually due to a diflViiMit cause. If the soil is 
shallow and the subjacent rocks lie oblique ami <in cilLTf, they are liable to 
carry the water away rapidly by receiving it iiilo ihcir npiMiings ami crevi- 
ces, thus draining the soil. But if the sulijaccni idcKs lie liorizontally, 
water which sinks through the soil is prc\ ciilcil lidiii .•sc,i|iiiiLr. and is lield 
as in a tub, and is fed gradually upward thiuiigli the soil Ijy eapilliary 
attraction. This land will remain moist a long time. But the more usual 
reason that one soil dries more rapidly than another, is that one is loose 
and the other compact. The comi>act soil di-ies qniclcpst. The smaller the 
interspaces between the ultimate particles winch Mialce iip tln' soil, the more 
rapidly water raises from the wet subsoil liy capilliai'y attraction, and the 
supply is soon exhausted. The more com|iac1 the soil the smaller the 
spaces between the particles. In loose ground tin' inters|iaces are larger, 
the water i-ises slowly or not at all, and the dam]iiiess i-emains longer 
beneath the surface. In the western countiies where the sunnuers are hot 
and rainless, the farmers irrigate their land, thoroughly .soak in. tr it from a 
neighboring canal. If they shut the watei- off and leave the land alone, in 
a few days it is baked, parched, hard and as dry as a bone. I'.ul the farmer 
does not do this. As soon as the water is turned o-lf, he plows and hai-rows 
the land making the surface as loose as possible. The result is, the imme- 
diate top becomes dry, but a few inches below the surface the soil remains 
moist for weeks. The water cannot escape through the porous surface. 
The same rule applies everywhere. If two cornlields lie side by side, 
especially in a dry season, and one is carefully tilled and the surface kept 
loose, while the other is not, the difference in the crops will show that in 
one case the moisture in the soil was prevented from escaping and was fed 
to the corn roots, while in the other case it rose to the surface and was 
blown away by the wind, leaving the corn to die of thirst. 



•CHAPTER IX, 



AMONG OLD LAWS, 

" Yet I doubt not through the ages one increasing purpose runs, 
And the thouglits of men are widened with the process of the suns." 

—Tennyson. 

The settlement of the territory now embraced in West Virginia com- 
menced about 1730, and before the close of the eighteenth century there 
were cabins or colonies in the valleys of all the principal rivers of the State. 
The first settlers were governed by the laws in force in Virginia from the 
earliest occupation of our territory until 1863. A proper consideration of 
the history of our State requires that mention be made of some of the old 
laws. They should be studied to show the progress of society during the 
past century. There are persons who speak of the "good old times" as 
though everything were better than now, and who speak of the people of a 
liundred years ago as if they were greater, purer, nobler than the men of 
today, and as if, when they died, wisdom died with them. The historian 
knows that this belief is erroneous. Not only are there men now living 
who are as upright, wise and patriotic as any who ever lived, but society, 
in all its branches and departments, has grown better. Only the pessimist 
refuses to see that the human race is climbing to a higher level, and not 
retrograding. 

To bring this truth nearer home to the people, let a retrospective view 
of the customs and laws prevailing here a century ago be taken. That the 
people of Virginia tolerated barbarous laws long after the close of the Rev- 
olutionary War is proof that the laws were not obnoxious to a majority of 
the ])e()])le, otherwise they would have changed them. Before proceeding 
to ;i sliiti'inciit of the Acts Of tlir VirLMiii;t Ijfgislature, let it be remembered 
ilial ;it lliitt time Washington w.-is I'lvsidciii, of the United States and the 
great men of Virginia, at tlie dosi' ol' the last century and the beginning of 
this, were in their prime. They were responsible for the bad laws as well 
as for the good; if not directly, at least indirectly, for they were looked 
upon as leaders. Patrick Henry, who had exclaimed, "give me liberty or 
give medi'atli," was yd living' and ]ii-acticing law; John Randolph, of Roan- 
'Oke, was cntiTini;- his .■arrcr (if -real ncss; James Monroe, soon to be Presi- 
dent of the rniti'd Slati's, was a hauler in Virginia; George Mason, the 
author ol I he I '.ill (if Rights, had not yet lost his influence; James Madison, 
also ti) be I'loidiMit of the United States, was a leader among the Virgin- 
ians; William Wilt, one of Virginia's greatest lawyers, was in his prime; 
Edmunfl Randolph, Governor of Virginia, was in politics; John Marshall, 
the famousChief Justice, was practicing in the courts; Thomas Jefferson, 
the author of the Declaration of Independence, was in the height of power; 



84 AMONG OLD LAWS. 

and the list might be extended much further. Yet, with all of the.se truly 
great men in power in Virginia, the Legislature of that State passed such 
laws as will be found below: 

On December 26, 1792, an Act was pas.sed for the purpose of suppress- 
ing vice, and provided that for swearing, cursing or being drunk th(> fine 
should be eighty-three cents for each offense, and if not paiil. tlic (itl't'uder 
should have ten lashes on the bare back. For working on Sumlay the fine 
was one dollar and sixty-seven cents. For stealing a hogshead or cask of 
tobacco found lying by the public highway, the punishment was death. 

On December 19, 1792, an Act was passed by the Virginia Legislature 
providing that any person found guilty of forgery must be put to death; and 
the same punishment was provided for those who erased, defaced or changed 
the inspector's stamp on flour or hemjj. No less severe was the punish- 
ment for those who stole land warrants. But for the man who made, x»assed 
or had in his possession counterfeit m(niey, knowing it to be such, the pen- 
alty of death was not enough. He was not only to be put to death, but was 
forbidden the attendance of a minister, and must go to execution "in the 
blossom of his sin." The design of the law-makers evidently was to add to 
his punishment not only in this life, but, if possible, send him to eternal 
punishment after death. It is not in the province or jsower of the writers 
of history to ascertain whether the Virginia Assembly ever succeeded in 
killing a man and sending him to eternal torment in the lake of fire and 
brimstone because he had a counterfeit dime in his jaocket, but the proba- 
bility is that the powers of the law-makers ceased when they had hanged 
their man, and a more just and righteous tribunal then took charge of 
his case. 

It is evident that the early Virginia law -makers laid great stress on the 
idea of clergy to attend the condemned man. If they wished to inflict 
extreme punishment they put on the finishing touches by denying the priv- 
ilege of clergy. On November 27, 1789, an Act was passed by the Legisla- 
ture segregating crimes into two classes, one of which was designated as 
"clergyable," and the other as "unclergyable." It was provided that the 
unclergyable crimes were murder in the first degree, burglary, arson, the 
burning of a Court-House or prison, the burning of a clerk's office, felone- 
ously stealing from the church or meeting-house, roV)bing a house in pres- 
ence of its occupants, breaking into and robbing a dwelling housr by day, 
after having put its owner in fear. For all tlu'si' olTciui's tlir iM>iialty was 
death. A provision was made in some cases lor clcigy; but, lest the con- 
victed man's punishment might not thereby be too much lightened, it was 
stipulated that he must have his hand burned before he was hanged. 
The same law further provided that, although a man's crime might not 
be unclergyable, yet if he received the benefit of clergy, and it was subse- 
quently ascertained that he had formerly committed an unclergyable 
offense, he must then be ^jut to death without further benefit of clergy. In 
this law it was expressly ^jrovided that there should be no mitigation of 
punishment in case of women. 

By an Act of December 26, 1792, it was provided that the man who 
apprehended a runaway servant and put him in jail was to receive one 
dollar and forty-seven cents, and mileage, to be paid by the owner. This 
law was, no doubt, intended to a^ijily chiefly to slaves rather than to white 
servants. If the runaway remained two months in jail unclaimed, the 
sheriff must advertise him in the Viryhiia Gazttte, and after putting an iron 



AMONG OLD LAWS. 85 

collar on his neck, marked with the letter "F," hire him out, and from his 
wages pay the costs. After one year, if still unclaimed, he was to be sold. 
The money, after the charges were paid, was to be given to the former 
owner if he ever proved his claim, and if he did not do so, it belonged to 
the State. 

The law-makers believed in discouraging gossip and tattling. A law 
passed by the Virginia Legislature, December 27, 1792, was in the follow- 
ing language: "Whereas, many idle and busy-headed people do forge and 
divulge false rumors and reports, be it resolved by the General Assembly, 
that what person or persons soever shall forge or divulge any such false 
report, tending to the trouble of the country, he shall be by the next Jus- 
tice of the Peace sent for and bound over to the next County Court, where, 
if he produce not his author, he shall be fined forty dollars or less if the 
court sees fit to lessen it, and besides give bond for his good behavior, if it 
appear to the court that he did maliciously publish or invent it. " 

There was a studied effort on the part of the Legislators to discourage 
hog- stealing. It is not ajiparent why it should be a worse crime to steal a 
hog than to steal a cow; or why the purloining of a pig should outrank in 
criminality the taking of a calf; or why it should be a greater offense to 
appropriate a neighbor's shoat than his sheep. But the early law-makers 
in Virginia seem to have so considered it and they provided a law for the 
special benefit of the hog thief. This law, passed by the Legislature 
December 8, 1792, declared that "any person, not a slave, who shall steal _a 
hog, shoat or pig," should receive thirty-five lashes on the bare back; or if 
he preferred to do so, he might escape the lashing by paying a fine of thirty 
dollars; but whether he paid the fine or submitted to the stripes, he still 
must pay eight dollars to the owner for each hog stolen by him. This much 
of the law is coraiiaratively mild, but it was for the first offense only. As 
the thief advanced in crime the law's severity increased. For the second 
offense in hog-stealing the law provided that the person convicted, if not a 
slave, should stand two hours in a pillory, on a public court day, at the 
Court-House, and have both ears nailed to the pillory, and at the end of two 
hours, should have his ears cut loose from the nails. It was expressly pro- 
vided that no exception should be made in the case of women. If the hog 
thief still persisted in his unlawful business and transgressed the law a 
third time, he was effectually cured of his desire for other people's hogs by 
being put to death. 

The slave had a still more severe punishment for stealing hogs. For 
the first olfense he received "thirty-nine lashes on the bare back, well laid 
on, at the public whippingpost. " For the second offense he was nailed by 
the ears to a post, and after two hours of torture, had his ears cut off. For 
the third olfense he was put to death. The law provided that if a negro or 
Indian were put on the stand as a witness against a person accused of steal- 
ing hogs, and did not tell the truth, he should be whipped, nailed to a post, 
his ears cut, and if he still testified falsely, he paid the isenalty with his 
life. It is not jDrovided how the court shall be led to the knowledge 
whether or not the witness had told the truth. It appears that the judge 
was presumed to be infallible in separating false from true testimony in 
trials for hog-stealing. After a hog had been stolen and killed, the relent- 
less law still followed it to try to discover if some one else might not be 
punished. If a person bought, or received into his possession, a hog from 
which the ears had been removed, he was adjudged guilty of hog-stealing, 



80 AMONG OLD LAWS. 

unless he could prove that the hog was his own ]>roi)ei'ty. There was also 
a law forbidding any one from iiurcliasing porlv of Indians unless the ears 
went with the pork. There would he soiin' iiicoiwcnicncc in retailing pork 
under this restriction, as it would rc(|uirc a skilllul butcher to so cut up a 
hog that each ham, shoulder, side and the sausage should rotMin tlic ears. 

If stealing hogs was a crime almo.st too hemous to lie :iiliMiiiat<'ly jjun- 
ished in this world, horse-stealing was so much worse thai ilic law makers 
of Virginia would not undertake to i^rovide a law to reach tin- case. They, 
therefore, enacted a law, December 10, 1792, that the convicted horse-thief 
must be put to death; and, in order that he should certainly reach eternal 
punishment beyond death, he was forbidden to have s]iii-itnal advice. The 
language of the law is that the horse thi( 'I' shall he "iiiicrly '■xchidcd." 

An Act of unnecessary severity was jiassi'd Dccciuhrr I'l', 17'.>i', against 
negroes who should undertake to cure the sii-k. It is nasdiiahlt' and right 
that the law should carefully guard the jjeople against haim from those 
who ignorantly practice medicine; but to us of the present day it appears 
that a less savage law would have answered the purpose. It was provided 
that any negro who prepared, exhibited, or administered medicine should 
be put to death without benefit of clergy. It was provided, however, that 
a negro might, with the knowledge and consent of his master, have medi- 
cine in his jiossession. 

The law of Virginia required every county to provide a Court-House, 
Jail, Pillory, Whipping Post, Sitocks and a Ducking Stool. But the Duck- 
ing Stool might be dispensed with if the County Court saw fit to do so. The 
Whipping Post was the last of these relics of barbarism to be removed. So 
far as can be ascertained the last public and legalized burning of a convicted 
man in West Virginia occurred in July, lb28, in the old ( 'omt llcmse in 
Hampshire County. A negro slave, named Simon, the i)i(iii(ity of David 
Collins, was tried on a charge of assault. The record does not show that 
he had a jury. The court found him guilty and ordered the Sheriff to burn 
him on the hand and give him one hundred lashes, chain him, and keej) 
him on "coarse and low diet." The minutes of the court state that the 
Sheriff " immediately burned him in the hand in the presence of the court," 
and gave him then and there twenty-five lashes. The remaining seventy- 
five were reserved for future days. 

It is but justice to the law-makers of Virginia, and the jjeople at that 
time, to state that nearly all of those severe laws came from England, or 
were enacted in the colony of Virginia many years before the Kcvolutionary 
War. Some of them date back to the time of Cromwelh (ii<'\en earliei*. 
Although the people of Virginia took the lead in the moxcnieut lor greater 
liberty, both mental and physical, tliey conld not all at once cul loose from 
the wrecks of past tyranny. They advanced rapidly along sonu' hn.'s, but 
slowly along others. They fountl those old laws on the statute hooks, and 
re-enacted them, and suffered them to exist for a generation or inoiv. But 
we should not believe that such men as I'atiiek- Henry, I'ldniuud Kaiidolph, 
Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and the othei- statesmen and patriots 
of that time believed that a man should be nailed to a post for stealing a 
pig, or that the crime of stealing a hymn book from a church should be jjun- 
ished with death without benefit of clergy. 

A law passed near the close of the last century, and still in force in 
1819, provided Sheriff's fees on a number of items, among which were the 
followmg: For making an arrest, sixty-three cents; for pillorying a crimi- 



AMONG OLD LAWS. 87 

nal, fifty- 'wo cents; for putting a criminal in the stocks, twenty -one cents; 
for clucking a criminal in pursuance of an order of court, forty-two cents; 
for putting a criminal in prison, forty-two cents; for hanging a criminal, 
five dollars and twenty-five cents; tor whipping a servant, by order of 
court, to be ]iaid by tbc iiKislcr and repaid to him by the servant, forty-two 
cents: for whijijiiiig a rice i»'is(in, by order of court, to be paid by the per- 
son who receiv I'll tiic w liipiiing, forty-two cents; for whipping a slave, by 
order of coui-t, to be paid by the county, forty-two cents; for selling a ser- 
vant at public outcry, forty-two cents; for keeping and providing for a 
debtor in jail, each day, twenty-one cents. 

It was more expensive to be whipped or pilloried by the Sheriff than by 
a Constable, although there is no evidence that the Sheriff did the work 
any more effectively. Since the person who received the punishment usu- 
ally paid the fees of tlie ofticer who performed the service, it is probable 
that such person prelViicd hcing whipjied or nailed to a post by a Consta- 
ble, because it was less expensive. S(mie of the Constable's fees are shown 
below: For putting a condemned man in tiio stocks, twenty-one cents; for 
whipping a servant, twenty-one ceuls: lor wliijiping a slave, to be paid by 
the master, twenty-one cents; for ichkix ini,'- a person likely to become a 
charge on the county, jjer mile, four cents. 

Within tlie past centui-y several important changes have taken place in 
the laws under which West Virginia has been governed. An Act of As- 
sembly, passed November 29, 1792, provided that in cases where a person 
is susjiected of having committed a murder, and the Coroner's jui-y recom- 
mend that he be held for trial, and he eludes arrest, the Coroner must seize 
his house and projierty and hold them until he surrenders himself or is 
arrested. Where a defendant was found guilty the costs of the ^prosecution 
was collected by sale of his projierty, if he had any property; but he might 
pay cost and thus save his property. No Constable, miller, surveyor of 
roads or hotel-keeper was eligible to serve on a gi'and jury. A law passed 
January 16, IKOl, provided a line of five dollars as a penalty for killing deer 
between January 1 and August 1 of each year. A law enacted January 26, 
1.S14, provided that sheep-killing dogs should be killed. If the owner pre- 
vented the execution of the law upon the dog he was subject to a fine of two 
dollars for each day in which he saved the life of the dog. The bounty on 
wolves was made six dollars for each scaljj, by a law ]jassed Pebi'uary 9, 
1M19. But the bounty was not always the same, nor was it uniform through- 
out the counties of Virginia. Each county could fix the bounty within its 
jurisdiction. A law of January 16, 1802, provided a fine of tlairty dollars 
for setting the woods on tire; and a law of January 4, 1805, punished by a 
fine of ten dollars the catching of fish in a seine between May 15 and 
August 15. 

There was a severe law passed by the Virginia Legislature February 
22, 1819, for the benefit of tavern-keepers. It provided a fine of thirty dol- 
lars for each olfense, to be levied against any person not a licensed tavern- 
Ifeeper, who sliould take jaay from a traveler for entertaiment given. Not 
only was this law in I'orci' in and near towns, but also within eight hundred 
yards of any pui>lic load. There was a law enacted by the Assembly of 
Virginia Decemljcr 21, 179(i, which was intended to favor the poor people. 
It is in marked contrast with many of the laws of that time, for they were 
generally not made to benefit the poor. The law had for its object the aid- 
ing of persons of small means in reaching justice through the courts. A 



88 



AMONG OLD LAWS. 



man who had no money had it in his power to prosecute a suit against a 
rich man. He could select the court in which to have his case tried; the 
court furnished him an attorney free; he was charged nothing for his sub- 
pcEnas and other writs; and he was not charged with costs in case he lost 
his suit. A law similar to that is still in force in West Virginia. 

In 1792 an Act was passed by the Virginia Legislature establishing fer- 
ries across the principal streams of the State, and fixing the rate of toll. 
The State was in the ferry business strictly for the money in it. The law 
provided that no person should operate a private ferry for profit where he 
would take patronage from a public ferry. The penalty for so doing seems 
unnecessarily severe. The person who undertook to turn a few dimes into 
his own pocket by carrying travelers across a river, where those travelers 
might go by public ferry, was fined twenty dollars for each offense, half of 
it to go to the nearest jjublic ferryman and the other half to the pei'.son who 
gave the information; and in case the public fei-ryman gave the informa- 
tion, the entire fine went into his pocket. It will readily be surmised that 
the public ferryman maintained a sharp lookout for pinvate boats which 
should be so presumptuous as to dare enter into competition for a portion 
of the carrying ti'ade, and it is equally probable that competition with jjub- 
lic service soon became unpopular, when a man might receive five cents for 
carrying a traveler across a river and to be fined twenty dollars for it. 

Messengers and other persons on business for the State were not 
required to pay toll, and they must be carried across immediately, at any 
hour of the day or night. But, as a precaution against being imposed upon 
by persons falsely claiming to be in the service of the State, the ferryman 
was authorized to demand proof, which the applicant was obliged to fur- 
nish. This proof consisted of a letter, on the back of which must be writ- 
ten "public service," and must be signed by some officer, either in the civil 
or military service of the State. Inasmuch as the punishment for forgery 
at that time was death, it is improbable that any person would present 
forged documents to the ferryman in order to save a few cents toll. The 
men who kept the ferries enjoyed some immunities and privileges denied to 
the masses. They were exempt from work on the public roads. They 
were not required to pay county taxes, but whether this privilege was ex- 
tended only to poll tax, or whether it applied also to personal property and 
real estate, is not clear from the reading of the regulations governing the 
business. They were exempt from military service due the State, and they 
were excused from holding the office of Constable. 




Hampshire County. 



CHAPTER X, 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 

The territory now embraced in the State of West Virginia has been 
governed under five State constitutions, three of Virginia's and two of West 
Virginia's. The first was adopted in 1776, the second in 1830, the third in 
1851, the fourth in 1863, the fifth iii 1872. The first con.stitution was passed 
by the Vii'ginia Convention, June 29, 1776, live days before the signing of 
the Declaration of Independence. Virginia had talcen the lead in declaring 
the United States independent and capable of self-government; and it. also 
tool£ the lead in preparing a system of government for itself. The consti- 
tution passed by its convention in 1776 was one of the first documents of 
the kind in the world, and absolutely the first in America. Its aim was 
lofty. It had in view greater liberty than men had ever before enjoyed. 
The document is a masterpiece of statesmanship, yet its terms are simple. 
It was the foundation on which nearly all the State constitutions have been 
based. It was in force nearly fifty years, and not until ex^jerience had 
shown wherein it was defective was there any disposition to change it or 
form a new constitution. Viewed now in the light of nearly a century and 
a quarter of progressive government, there are features seen in it which do 
not conform to the ideas of statesmen of today. But it was so much better, 
at the time of its adoption, than anything gone before that it was entirely 
satisfactory. 

A Bill of Rights preceded the first constitution. On May 15, 1776, the 
Virginia Convention instructed its delegates in Congress to propose to that 
body to declare the United Colonies indeijendent, and at the same time the 
Convention appointed a committee to prepare a Declaration of Rights and 
a plan of government for Virginia. On June 12 the Bill of Rights was 
passed. The document was written by George Mason, member of the com- 
mittee. This state paper is of interest, not only as being one of the earliest 
of the kind in America, but because it contains inconsistencies which in 
after years clung to the laws of Virginia, carrying injustice with them, un- 
til West Virginia, when it became a State, refused to allow them to become 
part of the laws of the new Commonwealth. The chief of these inconsis- 
tencies is found in the just declaration at the outset of the Bill of Rights, 
"that all men are by nature equally free and independent;" and yet further 
on it paves the way for restricting the privilege of suffrage to those who 
own property, thereby declaring in terms, if not in words, that a poor man 
is not as free and independent as a rich man. Here was the beginning of 
the doctrine so long held in Virginia by its law-makers, that a man without 
property should not have a voice in the government. In after years this 
doctrine was combated by the people of the territory now forming West 



90 ■ CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 

Virginia. The inhabitants west of the Blue Ridge, and esi^'cially west of 
the Alleghanies, were tlie ohani])ions of universal snffi-age, and lln'v labored 
to attain that end, l)n1 with lilllc success until tlu'v wo-c able tn set up a 

government for theniselxcs, in wliicli i,'-(i\'eiiiineiil n were [ilaceil al)ove 

l^roperty. Further on in thi.s chapter souieUiing uiori; will be lound on this 
subject. 

The Bill of Rights declares that the freedom of the press is one of the 
chief bulwarks of liberty. This is in marked contrast with and a noticeable 
advance beyond the doctrine iield l)ySii- William lii'i-iceley. one of Vii^'inia's 
i-oyal governors, who solemnly deciai-ed, "I thank" ( iod wi' \\u\f not free 
schools or printing, and I hope we will not lia\e these iiundred \-ears, for 
learning has brought disobedience and heresy and sects into the world, and 
l)i'inting has divulged them and libels a,i,Minst the go\crnm<>nt. Cod keep 
us from both." This solemn protest of \'ii-,iriiiia's ( H.vernor was made 
nearly forty years altei- the fonndini,' of llar\ard Kni\ersity in Massa- 
chusetts. It has been soinelimes cited as an illnsi rat ion of t he difference 
between the Puritan t-i\ilizati<jn in Massachusetts and tlie Caxalier civiliza- 
tion of Virginia. But the comparison is unfair. Itwasuo test of Virginia's 
civilization, for the Governor was canyini,'- out in.structions from England 
to .sujopress printing, and he did not consult the people of the colony 
whetTier they wanted ]irinling presses or not. But when a printer, John 
Buckner by name, ten \-ears allei- (hivernor Berkeley asked divine i^rotec- 
tion against schools and juinlinii-. \entured into Virginia with a press he 
was promptly brought before the ( lovei-iior and was com]ielled to give bond 
that he would jjrint nothing until the King of I'ingland ga\e consent. 

In view of this i_'.\i>erii.'nc(.' it is not lo he wondered at, thai the Virgin- 
ians were i:)romi3t in declaring in their Hill of Wights that the ])ress should 
be free. But they did not embrace that excellent opiioriunity to say a word 
in favor of schools. Nor could they, at one sweep, l)ring themselves to the 
broad doctrine that property does not round off and comjjlete the man, but 
that "a man's a man for a' that," and capable, competent and trustworthy 
to take full part in the affairs of govei-nment. This Bill of Rights was 
brought into existence in tlie early jiart of the Ivevolutionary War, and at 
that very time the bold, patient, pat riot ic and jxku- hack- woodsmen from the 
frontiers were in the American ainiies, tighting and dying in the cause of 
liberty and equal rights; and yet, by laws then being enacted, these same 
men were denied the right to take part in the management of the govern- 
ment which they were fighting to establish. It was for no other reason 
than that they were not assessed with enough i^roiiei-ty to gi\<' "sufficient 
evidence of i^ermanent common interest with and allachment to the com- 
munity." This notion had been brought from England, and had been fast- 
ened ujion the colony of Virginia so firmly that it could not be shaken off 
when that State severed the political ties which bound it to the mother 
(H)untry. The idea clung to the constitution passed in 1776; to that of 1H30; 
to that' of hsr,i; but senliuKMil against the property (pialiticat ion for suffrage 
conslanllv Uivw, and pari icniarl v anionic: llie people nf Weshnai \'iri,'inia, 
until it manilesleil its.^lf in striking the obnoN ions cla us,> fioni the.-onsti- 
lution when the Stale of W.^st \'iri;-iina came into separate .■xislence. 

If theWarof the iv'evoluli.ui did not leach the statesmen of Virginia 
tliat the poor man can be a. pat riot , and if the I hirty tix'e or more yeai's intei'- 
vening between the adoption of the constitution of 1770 and the second war 
with England had not sufficed to do so, it might be sujjposed that tht new 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 91 

exjierience of the War of 1812 would have made the fact clear. But it did 
not convince the law-maker. Virginia was spoodily invadcnl by the British 
alter the declaration of war, and some of (lie inost xaliiiihlc property in the 
State was destroyed, and some of the hrsl icriiloiy was overrun by the 
enemy. The city of Washinijrtori, just across the I'oiomac from Vii-ginia, 
was captured and burned. An ex I'lcsident of the United States was com- 
jjelled to hide in the woods to a\iiicl <:ipture by the enemy. In this critical 
time no soldiers fought more valiautly, none did more to drive back the 
invader, than the men from Western Virginia, where lived most of those 
who were classed too i^oor to take part in the affairs of government. It is 
said that sometimes half the men in a company of soldiers had never been 
permitted to vote because they did not own enoii.uli inoiuMty. 

The people of Western Virginia felt the injustice kceuly. They never 
failed 1o rc^spond jjromptly to a call when their services were needed in the 
tield, l)iit ill time of peace they sought in a lawful and decent manner the 
redress of tlieir grievances. They could not obtain this redress under the 
constituUou then in force, and tlio War of 1812 had scarcely come to a close 
when the subject of a new const it iit ion Ijegan to be spoken of. It was agi- 
tated long in vain. Nor was the lest liction of suifrage the only wrong the 
l^eople of Western Virginia endured, somewhat impatiently, but always with 
full resjject for the laws then in force. 

The eastern j^art of Virginia had the majority of inhabitants and the 
largest i^art of the property, and this gave that ijortion of the State the 
majority in the Assembly. This ]30wer was used with small respect for the 
rights of the people in the western part of the State. Internal improve- 
ments were made on a large scale in the east, but non(^ wore made west of 
the mountains, or veryfew. Men in the western counties had litth:- encour- 
agement to aspire to political distinction. The door was shut ( m t hem. The 
State offices were filled by men from the wealthy eastern districts. At 
length the agitation of the question of a new constitution ripened into 
results. The Assembly of Virginia in 1828 passed a bill submitting to a 
vote of the peojilc whether they would have a constitutional convention 
called. At the election there were 38,542 votes cast, of wliich 21,896 were 
in favor of a conslit ntional convention. By far the ]iea\ lest \ote favoring 
the convention \\as cast \\<.'st of the Blue Ridge. Tlie wc^i It li\- slave-owners 
of the lower conn lies w a n t ed no change. The const it nl ion had been framed 
to suit them, and the\ wanted nothing better, 'i'liey feared that any change 
would give them something less suitable. Ne\eit heless, when the votes 
were counted and it was ascertained that a new constit iition was inevitable, 
the representatives of the wealth of the State set to worlc to guard against 
any invasion of the privileges they had so long enjoyed. 

The delegates from what is now West Virginia elected to this conven- 
tion were: E. M. Wilson and Charles S. Morgan, of Monongalia County; 
William McCoy, of Pendleton County; Alexander Cam^iboll and Philip Dod- 
dridge, of Brooke County; Andrew Beirne, of Monroe C'ounty; William 
Smith, of Greenbrier County; John Baxter, of Pocali<intas; H. L. Opie and 
Thomas Griggs, of .Toffe)-s(m: William Navlor and William Donaldson, of 
Hampshire; Philip Pendh>ton and fllisha I'.oyd, of I'.erkdey; E. S. Duncan, 
of Harrison; .lohn Laidh'v, of Caliell; Lewis Siuiniieis, of Ivanawha; Adam 
See, of Raudoljjb. The leader of tho westeiii (ielegates in the convention 
was Philip Doddridge, who did all in his jiower to have the jjroperty qualifi- 
cation clause omitted from the new constitution. 



92 CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 

The convention met at Richmond, October 5, 1829. From the very first 
meeting the western members were slighted. No western man was named 
in the selection of officers of the convention. It was seen at the outset that 
the property qualification for suffrage would not be given up by the eastern 
members without a struggle, and it was soon made plain that this qualifica- 
tion would have a majority. It was during the debates in this convention 
that PhiliiJ Doddridge, one of West Virginia's greatest men, came to the 
front in his full stature. His opponents were Randolph, Leigh, Upshur, 
Tazewell, Standard and others, who supported the doctrine that a voter 
should be a property-owner. One of Doddridge's colleagues was Alexander 
Campbell, the founder of the Church of the Disciples of Christ, sometimes 
known as the Christian Church, and again called, from its founder, the 
Campbellite Church. Here were two jiowerful intellects, Doddridge and 
Campbell, and they chamiiioned the cause of liberty in a form more ad- 
vanced than was then allowed in Virginia. Doddridge himself had followed 
the plow, and he felt that the honest man does not need a certain number 
of acres before he can be trusted with the right of suffrage. He had served 
in the Virginia Legislature and knew from observation and experience the 
needs of the people in his part of the State. He was born on the bank of 
the Ohio River two years before the backwoodsmen of Virginia annulled 
the Quebec Act, passed by the Parliament of England, and he had grown 
to manhood in the dangers and vicissitudes of the frontiers. He was but 
five years old at the first siege of Port Henry, and was ten years old at the 
second siege; and the shot which brought dnwn tlic last British flag that 
floated above the soil of Virginia during the lIcvDlutioiiary War was fired 
almost within hearing of liis home. Anioiii,'- his nuighbors were Lewis 
Wetzel, Ebenezer Zanc Saiiiml Itiady ami the iiifu who fought to save the 
homes of the frontier si'ttliMs iluiiim- Wu' \i>\\'j: and anxious years of Indian 
warfare. Although Doddridge dicil two yeais aili'i- this convention, while 
serving in Congress, he hatl done enougli tn i,M\ e Wi'sl Virginia reason for 
remembering him. The work of Cami)liell does iidt stand out in sd e<.nspic- 
uous a manner in the proceedings of the cKUventiun, but his influence for 
good was great; and if the delegates from west of the mountains labored in 
vain for that time, the result was seen in later years. 

The work of the convention was brought to a close in 1830, and a new 
constitution was given to the voters of theState Utv theii' api>roval orrejec- 
tion. The western members had failed to stiiUe out the clislasteful prop- 
ei'ty qualification. They had all voted against it except Doddridge, who 
was unable to attend that ses.sion on arcount of siclaiess, no doulit due to 
overwork. His vote, however, would ha\ e changed notliing, as the eastern 
members had a large majority and canied e\ciy ineasuie they wanteil. In 
the dissatisfaction conse(inent upon the laihii-e ol' tlie western counties to 
secure what they considerei I justice hei,^^ tlie moxeiuenl tor a new State. 
More than thirty years elapsed helore the oliject was attained, and it was 
brought about by means and Iroui causes whicli not thi' wisest statesman 
foresaw in 1830, yet the sentiment luid h<.en growine; all the yeai-s. The old 
State of Virginia was never h)rgi\-eii tlu' olTense and injury done the west- 
ern district in the constitutional convention ot IsL'ii |s:;o. If thc> injustice 
was partly removed by the enlargi'd sultrage gianted in the constitution 
adopted tweiaty years after, it was tlien too late Un- the atonement to be 
accepted as a blotting out of past wrongs; and in 1801 the people of West 
Virginia replied to the old State's long years of oppression and tyranny. 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 93 

The constitution of 1830 adopted the Bill of Rights of 1776 without 
amendment or change. Then followed a long preamble reciting the wrongs 
under which Virginia suffered, prior to the Revolutionary War, before inde- 
pendence was secured. Under this constitution the Vii-ginia House of Del- 
egates consisted of one hundred and thirty-four members, of which twenty- 
six were chosen by the counties lying west of the AUeghenies; twenty-five 
by the counties between the Blue Ridge and the Alleghanies; forty-two by 
the counties between the Blue Rirtgf mid tidewater, and thirty-six by the 
tidewater counties. The Senate ccuisi-^tcil i if Ihirty-two members, of which 
thirteen were from the counties wi-sl ol tlic Blue Ridge. No priest or 
preacher was eligible to the Legislature. The right of suffrage was based 
on a property qualification. The ballot was forbidden and all voting was 
viva voce. Judges of the supreme court and of the superior courts were 
not elected by the people, but by the joint vote of the Senate and House of 
Delegates. The Attorney General was chosen in the same way. Sheriffs 
and Coroners were nominated by 'the county courts and appointed by the 
Governor. Justices of the Peace were appointed by the Governor and the 
Constables were aj^pointed by the Justices. Clerks were appointed by the 
courts. The State Treasurer was elected by the joint vote of the Senate 
and House of Delegates. It is thus seen that the only State officers for 
which people could vote directly were Senators and members of the House 
of Delegates. Such an arrangement would be very unsatisfactory at the 
present day among people who have become accustomed to select their 
officers, almost without exception, from the highest to the lowest. The 
growth of the Reijublican principle of Government has been gradual. It 
was not all grasped at once; nor has it reached its fullest developement yet. 
The Bill of Rights and the first constitution of Virginia were a great step 
forward from the bad Government under England's Colonial system; but 
the gathered wisdom of more than a century has discovered and corrected 
many imperfections. 

It is noticable that the constitution of 1830 contains no provisions for 
public schools. It may be stated generally that the early history of Vir- 
ginia shows little development of the common school idea. The State 
which was satisfied for seventy-tive years with suffrage denied the poor 
would not be likely to become famous for its zeal in the cause of popular 
education. The rich, who voted, could afford schools for their children; 
atid the father who was poor could neither take part in the Government nor 
educate his children. Virginia was bcliiiul most of tlio old states in free 
schools. At the very*time that (idvcrnor ncrl^rlcy lli.'iukcd God that there 
were neither free schools nor |iriiiliii-- incssrs in Vii-giiiia,, Connecticut was 
devoting to education one foui-th of its revenue iiom taxation. As late as 
1857 Virginia with a population of nearly a million and a half, had only 
41,008 children in common schools. When this is comjiared with other 
states, the contrast is striking. Massachusetts with a smaller poi^ulation 
had live times as many children in the free schools; New Hampshire with 
one-tifth the pojiulation had twice as many; Illinois had nearly eight times 
as many, yet a smaller population; Ohio with a population a little larger 
had more than fourteen times as many children in public schools as Vir- 
ginia. The following additional states in 1857 had more children attending 
common schools than Virginia had in proportion to their jjopulation: 
Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New 
Jersey, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky, 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 



Maryland, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama. The 
states with a smaller percentage of children in the common schools than 
Virginia's were South Carolina, California and Mississiii|)i. \<\>f the 
remainder of the states, the statistics for that year were hdI coinpilcil. 

The showing is bad foi' Virginia. Although the ]nck of piuvision for 
jjopular education in the coiucntiini ol ls:;() (Iocs iiol a]i)icar to have caused 
opi30.sition from the westcni ini'inln'is, yd 1lic |iroiiiiitiicss with which the 
State of West Virginia ]iic)\ iilcd fur public .school.s a.s soon as it had a 
chance, is evidence tlmt 1iic sentiment west of the AUeghanies was strong 
in favor of pojuihir edncaliou. 

■LTiiles i-pturned home after completing their 

r |si".l |s:',(), 1liev found that their constituents 

th.' constilution. The chief Ihiiii: contended 

lire, had been retused, MUd tile m ■«' col 1st i t utioU, 

■r than the ohh i-etained llieiiiost ol)iectionable 
e ele,-tioii h.-ld .-arly in i>:'.ii toi- ratifying or 
lion, ll.Gl.s votes were cast, of wliich, l't),055 
r),5Uo against. The eastern part of the State 
voted strongly for ratiticati(jn; the western jsart against it. Only two 
counties in what is now West Virginia gave a majority for it; and only one 
east of the Blue Ridge voted against it. The vote by counties in West 
Virginia was as follows: Berkeley, for 95, against 161; Brooke, the home 
md Cani|)bell, for 0, again.st 371; Cabell, for 5, against 334; 
r ;'. I, aLiainst 464; Hampshire, for 241, against 211; Hardy, 
t J I'll; Hai-rison, for 8, against 1,112; Jefferson, for 243, 
anawlia, h)r 42, against 266; Lewis, for 10, asrainst 546; 
li,^linst L'.'.."i: Mason, for Ml, airainst IJCi'.t; Mononiralia, for 305, 
roe, for ill, against 4.-.!; Moj'gan, for l^'.l, against 156; 
against 325; Ohio for 3, against ()43; Pendleton, for 58, 



When the western del 
labors in the conxcntion o 
were much dissatistied will 
for, less restriction on sLdfr; 
while in some respects b( d 1 1 
feature of the old. At th 
rejecting the new constitii 
were for ratification and 1 



of Doddrid,ge 

Greenbrier, for 

for 63, against 

aerainst 53; K'ai 

Logan, for 2, ai^ 

against 460; Ah 

Nicholas, for 2'- 

against 219; Pocahontas, for 9, against 288; Preston, for 121, against 357; 

Randolph, for 4, against 567; Tyler, for 5, against 299; Wood, for 28, 

against 410. Total, for 1,383, against 8,375. 

Although the constitution of 1830 was unsatisfactory to the people of 
the western counties, and they had voted to reject it, it had been fastened 
upon them by the vote of the eastern counties. However, the matter was 
not to end there. In a Republican ( loveriiiiient the way to ivacdi a redress 
of grievances is to keep the pro] losed relorin coiistaidly before the people. 

If right, it will finally pn?vai]. in all rcdonii xi'IikmUs oi' ([uestions, the 

right is nearly always in tlie minorily at lirsl; perhaps it is always so. The 
Western Virginians had been voted <h)wn, Iml they at once heura^nto agitate 



the question of c; 
for twenty years. 
tion on liie suhji 
Legislature was i 

was held I,, choo: 

Alle-hani<'s. and 
tains, were .bdii 
Deneale, G. I!. S; 
Allen T. Capert,, 
ner, William Luc 



ling 

l-^in. 



Thos. 



y lce]it at :t 
lied an elec- 
lority of the 
an election 
west of the 
hose moun- 



Lf 



■Is, Will 



rer, Cleorge E. 
uel C. Williams, 
Alhert (;. l',-iidleioii, .\. A. Cliaiaiian, CharlesJ. Paulk- 
DennisAlurphy, Andrew Hunter, TlK.anas Sloan, James 
E. Stewart, Richard E. Byrd, Charles Blue, Jefferson T. Martin, Zachariah 
Jacob, John Knote, Thomas Gaily, Benjamin H. Smith, William Smith, 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTOEY. 95 

Samuel Price, Geors^e W. Summers, Joseph Johnson, John F. Suodgrass. 
Gideon D. Camden, Peter G. Van Winkle, William G. Brown. Waitman T, 
Willey, Edward J. Armstrong, James Neeson, Samuel L. Hayes, Joseph 
Smith, John S. Carlile, Thomas Bland, Elisha W. McComas, Henry J. 
Fisher, and James H. F(M-.u:usnn. 

One of these (lelei,Mtrs, Joseph Johnson, of Harrison County, was the 

only man up to that ti e\('r<hosen Governor from the district west of 

the' Alli'.trhaiiies: iiinl in tlie t hi'ee-quarters of a century since the adoption 
of Viririiiia's lirst coiistit lit ion. no man from west of the Allegbanies had 
ever lieen sent to tlie I'liited States Senate; and only one had been elected 
from the country we.st of the Blue Ridge. Eastern property had out-voted 
western men. Still the people west of the mountains sought their remedy 
in a new constitution, just as they had sought in vain nearly a generation 
before. 

The constitutional convention met and organized for work. The dele- 
gates from the eastern part of the State at once showed their hand. They 
insisted from the start that there should be a property qualification for suf- 
frage. This was the chief point against which the western people had been 
so long contending, and the members from west of the Alleghanies were 
there to resist such a provision in the new constitution and to tight it to the 
last. Lines were drawn ujjon this issue. The contending forces were at once 
arrayed for the fight. It was seen that the western members and the 
members who took sides with them were not in as hopeless a minority as 
they had been in the (■(invention oF Isiii). Still they were not so strong as 
to assure victory, and the hat tie was to be long and hard-fought. If there 
was one man amoTig tlie westeiai memhers more conspicuous as a leader than 
the others, that man was Wail man T. Willey, of Monongalia County. An 
unswerving advocate of lihei-ty in its widest intei'))ret.ation, and with an un- 
compromising hatre(_l of tyraiuiy and oppression, he had prepared himself 
to fight in the front when the quest ion ol restriction of sutt'rage should 
come up. The eastern members foiced the issue, and he met it. He denied 
that pro])ei-tv is the true source of political power; but, I'ather, that the true 
source should lie son,i,dit in \vis(k)m, virtue, patriotism; and that wealth, 
while not had in itself, I riMiueiit ly becomes a source of political weakness. 
The riglits of jiersons are aliove ilie i-iirhts of property. Mr. Scott, a dele- 
gate frcjm Fau(|iiier County, declared that this movement by the western 
members was simply an elTort to ^-et their hands on the pocket books of the 
wealthy east. M i-. Willey re|ie||cd this imjieachuKMit of the iiitegrity of the 
west. Other memliei's in sympathy- with the |ii(iperty (|ualitication took uji 
the cue and the assault upon the moli\c_'S(if tlie peo|ile of the w'(,'st became 
severe and unjust-. But the memhers from Lhat part of the State defended 
the honor of its peojile \\ it h a ^ igor and a success which defeated the prop- 
erty qualification in the constitution. 

It was not sihaiced howexcr. It was put forward and carried in another 
form, by a proviso that luemliers of the Assi^ulily and Senate should be 
elected on an arliiti-ar\- hasis until the year P^i>."i, and at that t ime t he (pies- 
tion should be submitted to a Xdle of the people whethel- their delegates in 
theLegislatui-e should he apportioned on what was called the ■• wliile hasis" 
or the "mixed basis." The lirst proviih'd thai membei's of the Le.icisla- 
ture should be a()p()rtioned according to the number of while inhabitants; 
the second, that they should be ajJiJortioned according to both jiroperty 
and inhabitants. The eastern member's believed that in lyB5 the vote of 



96 CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 

the State would favor the mixed basis, and thus the property qualification 
would again be in force, although not in exactly the same form as before. 

The proceedings of tln' coiuculion had not advanced far when it be- 
came apparent that a sentiiin'iit in that body was in favor of electing many 
or all of the County and Stale (itticiTs. The sentiment favoring electing 
judges was particularly strong. Prior to that time the judges in Virginia 
had been chosen by the Legislature or appointed by the Governor, who was 
a creature of the Legislature. The members from Western Virginia, under 
the leadership of Mr. Willey, were in favor of electing the judges. It was 
more in conformity with the principles of i-epublican government that the 
power which selected the makers of laws should also select the interjareters 
of those laws, and also those whose duty it is to execute the laws. The 
power of the peojile was thus increased, and with increase of power there 
was an increase also in their responsibility. Both are wholesome stimu* 
lants for the citizens of a commonwealth who are rising to new ideas and 
higher principles. The constitution of I8.1O is remarkable for the general 
advance embodied in it. The experience of nearly half a century has shown 
that many improvements could be made, but at the time it was adopted its 
landmarks were set on higher ground. But as yet the idea that the State 
is the greatest beneficiary from the education of the people, and that it is 
the duty of the State to provide free schools for this purpose, had not 
gained suflicient footing to secure so much as an expression in its favor in 
the constitution of 1850. 

The work of the convention was completed, and at an election held for 
the purpose in 1852 it was ratified and became the foundation for State gov- 
ernment in Virginia. The Bill of Rights, passed in 1776 and adopted with- 
out change as a preamble or introduction to the constitution of 1830, was 
amended in several jjarticulars and prefixed to the constitution of 1850. The 
constitution of 1830 required voting by viva voce, without exception. That 
of 1850 made an exception in favor of deaf and dumb persons. But for all 
other persons the ballot was forbidden. The property qualification for suf- 
frage was not placed in the constitution. Although a provision was made 
to foist a projierty clause on the State to take effect in 1865, the great and 
unexpected change made by the Civil War before the year 1865 rendered 
this provision of no force. The leading features of the "mixed basis" and 
"white basis," as c<)ii1iMii]ilati'ii l>y tlie constitution, were: In 1865 the peo- 
ple, by vote, were to (I(m ide whithiT the members of the State Senate and 
Lower House should !)(> aii[ioiti()n('d in accordance with the number of 
voters, without regard to jjroperty, or whether, in such apiiortionment, 
property should be represented. The former was called the white basis or 
suffrage basis; the latter mixed basis. Under the mixed basis the appor- 
tionment would be based on a ratio of the white inhabitants and of the 
amount of State taxes paid. Provision was made for the apportionment of 
Senators on one basis and members of the Lower House on the other, if the 
voters should so decide. The members of the convention from West Vir- 
ginia did not like the mixed basis, but the clause making the provision for 
it went into the constitution in s^nte of them. They feared that the popu- 
lous and wealthy eastern counties would outvote the counties beyond the 
AUeghanies and fasten the mixed basis upon the whole State. But West 
Virginia had separated from the old State before 1865 and never voted on 
that measure. There was a clau?;e which went so far as to provide that the 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 97 

members of the Senate might be apportioned solely on the basis of taxa- 
tion, if the people so decided by vote. 

Under the constitution free negroes were not permitted to reside in "Vir- 
ginia unless free" at the time the constitution went into effect. Slaves there- 
after manumitted forfeited their freedom by remaining twelve months in 
the State. Provision was made for enslaving them again. 

For the first time in the history of the State the Governor was to be 
elected by the jieople. He had before been appointed by the Legislature. 
County oflBcers, clerks, sheriff, prosecuting attorney and surveyor, were now 
to be elected by the people. The county court, composed of not less than 
three or more than five justices of the j^eace, held sessions monthly, and 
had enlarged jurisdiction. This arrangement was not consistent with the 
advance made in other branches of County and State government as pro- 
vided for in the constitution. That county court was not satisfactory, and 
even after West Virginia became a State, it did not at first rid itself of the 
tribunal which had out-lived its usefulness. But after a number of years a 
satisfactory change was made by the new State. Under Virginia's consti- 
tution of 1^50 the Auditor, Treasurer and Secretary were selected by the 
Legislature. 

The first constitution of West Virginia was a growth rather than a crea- 
tion by a body of men in one convention. The history of that constitution 
is a part of the history of the causes leading up to and the events attending 
the creation of a new State from the counties in the western part of Vir- 
ginia, which had refused to follow the old State when it seceded from the 
Union. Elsewhere in this volume will be found a narrative of the acts by 
which the new State was formed. The present chapter will consider only 
those movements and events directly related to the first constitution. 

The efforts of the Northern States to keep slavery from spreading to 
new territory, and the attempts of the South to introduce it into the West; 
the passage of laws by the Northern States by which they refused to deliver 
runaway slaves to their masters; decisions of courts in conflict with the 
wishes of one or the other of the great parties to the controversy; and other 
acts or doctrines favorable to one or the other, all entered into the presi- 
dential campaign of 1860 and gave that contest a bitterness unknown before 
or since in the history of American politics. For many years the South 
had been able to carry its points by the ballot-box or by statesmanshiiD, but 
in 1860 the jjower was slipping away, and the North was in the ascendancy 
with its doctrines of no further extension of slavery. There were four can- 
didates in the field, and the Reiiublicans elected Abraham Lincoln. Had 
the Southern States accepted the result, acquiesced in the limitation of 
slavery within those States wherein it already had an undisputed foothold, 
the Civil War would not have occuri-ed at that time, and perhaps never. 
Slavery would have continued years longer. But the rashness of the South- 
ern States hastened the crisis, and in its result slavery was stamped out. 
South Carolina led the revolt by a resolution December 20, 1860, by which 
that State seceded from the Union. Other Southern States followed, 
formed "The Confederate States of America," and elected Jefferson Davis 
President. 

Virginia, as a State, went with the South, but the people of the western 
part, when confronted with the momentous question, "Choose ye this day 
whom ye will serve," chose to remain citizens of the United States. Gov- 
ernor Letcher, of Virginia, called an extra session of the Legislature to 



98 CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 

meet January 7, 1861, to consider public affairs. The Legislature passed a 
bill calling a convenion of the people of Virginia, whose delegates were to 
be elected February 4, to meet in Kicliinond, February 13, 1H61. A substi- 
tute for this bill, offered in the Lower House of the Legislature, providing 
that a vote of the people of the State should be taken on the question of 
calling the convention, was defeated. The convention was thus convened 
without the consent of the people, a thing which had never before been 
done in Virginia. 

Delegates were chosen for Western Virginia. They were nearly all 
opposed to secession and worked to defeat it in the convention. Finding 
their efforts in vain, they returned hoiin', soino of them escaping many 
dangers and overcoming much clirticuHv on tln' way. The action of the 
Virginia Convention was kept secret toi' seme time, while State troops and 
troops frjm other States were seizing United States arsenals and other 
government property in Virginia. But when the delegates returned to their 
homes in Western Virginia with the news that Virginia had joined the 
Southern Confc'deracy there was much excitement and a widespread deter- 
mination amoiiir the iieople not to be transferred to the Confederacy. 
Meetings were held, delegates were chosen to a convention in Wheeling to 
meet June 11 for the 'purpose of j-e-oi'gaiiizing tlie government of Virginia. 

Owing to the peculiar circunistaiucs in which the State of Virginia was 
placed, part in and part out of tlie Sdutheiii Conlederacy, the constitution 
of 1850 did not apply to the case, and certainly did not authorize the re-or- 
ganization of the State Government in the manner in which it was about to 
be done. No constitution and no statute had ever been framed to meet such 
an emergency. The proceeding undertaken by the Wheeling convention 
was authorized by no written law, and so far as the statutes of the State 
contemplated such a condition, they forbade it. But, as the gold which 
sanctified the Temple was greater than the Teriiiile, so men who make the 
law are gi'eater than the law. The principle is dangerous when acted upon 
by bad men, but patriots may; in a'crisis which aihnits of no delay, be a law 
unto themselves. The people of Western Virginia saw the storm, saw the 
only salvation, and with promptness they seized the helm and made for the 
harbor. 

The constitution of Virginia did not apply. The Wheeling Convention 
passed an ordinance for the government of the re-organized State. This 
ordinance could scarcely be called a constitution, yet it was a good tempo- 
rary substitute for one. It authorized the convention to appoint a Governor 
and Lieutenant Governor to seiveiinlil I heii- successors were elected and 
qualified. They were to admiuistei- the exist intc laws of Virginia. The 
General Assembly was called to meet ill Wliec' 
for the election of a Governor and Lieiiteiiai 
Virginia was thus changed from Richmoud to 
vention could change it. The Senators and 
chosen at the preceding election were to co 
Council of Five was appointed by the convention to assist the (Jovernor in 
the discharge of his duties. An allusion to tlie State Constitution, made in 
this ordinance, shows that the convention considered the Viririnia CVm.sti- 
tution of IHfiO still in force, s) far as it was applicable to the cliaiiged condi- 
tions. There was no general and immediate change of county and district 
officers provided for, but an oath was required of them that they would sup- 
port the Constitution of the United States. Provision was made for remov- 



liiiK, wher 

tit ( JoX'eriK 


e it was to provide 
)r. The capital of 


\Vlleelini,^ 
Assenihlyi 
listilute 11 


so far as that- con- 
nen who had been 
le Le<,'islatnre. A 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 99 

ing from office such as refused to take the oath, and for aiipointing others 
in their stead. 

Under and by virtue of this ordinance the convention elected Francis 
H. Pierijont Governor of Virginia, Daniel Polsley Lieutenant Governor, and 
James S. Wheat Attorney General. Provision having been made by the 
General Assembly which met in Wheeling for an election of delegates to 
frame a constitution for the State of West Virginia, provided a vote of the 
people should be in favor of a new State, and the election having shown 
that a new State was desired, the delegates to the Constitutional Conven- 
tion assembled in Wheeling November 26, 1861. The purpose at first had 
not been to form a new State, but to re-organize and administer the govern- 
ment of Virginia. But the sentiment in favor of a new State was strong, 
and resulted in the assemblimg of a convention to frame a constitution. The 
list of delegates were, Gordon Batelle, Ohio County; Richard L. Brooks, 
Upshur; James H. Brown, Kanawha; John J. Brown, Preston; John Boggs, 
Pendleton; W. W. Brumfield, Wayne; E. H. Caldwell, Marshall; Thomas R. 
Carskadon, Hampshire; James S. Cassady, Payette; H. D. Chapman, Roane; 
Richard M. Cooke, Mercer; Henry Dering, Monongalia; John A. Dille, Pres- 
ton; Abijah Dolly, Hardy; D. W. Gibson, Pocahontas; S^. P. Griffith, Mason; 
Stephen M. Hansley, Raleigh; Robert Hogar, Boone; Ephraim B. Hall, 
Marion; John Hall, Mason; Thomas W. Harrison, Harrison; Hiram Hay- 
moiid, Marion: James Hervey, Brooke; J. P. Hoback, McDowell; Joseph 
Hul)l)s, I'lcasiiiils: Uobert Irvine, Lewis; Daniel Lamb, Ohio; R. W. Lau'ck, 
Wc(/,i'l: h]. S. Maliiiii, .Jackson; A. W. Mann, Greenbrier; John R. McCutch- 
eou, Xicholas; Dudli'v S. Montague, Putnam; Emmett J. O'Brien, Barbour; 
Granville Parker, Cabell; James W. Parsons, Tucker; J. W. Paxton, Ohio; 
David S. Pinnell, Upshur; Joseph S. Pomeroy, Hancock; John M. Powell, 
Harrison; Job Robinson, Calhoun; A. P. Ross, Ohio; Lewis Ruffner, Kana- 
wha; Edward W. Ryan, Payette; George W. Sheets, Ham23shire; Josiah 
Simmons, Randolph; Harmon Sinsel, Tavlor; Benjamin H. Smith, Logan; 
Abraham D. Soper, Tyler; Benjamin L. Stephenson, Clay; William E. Steven- 
son, Wood; Benjamin F. Stewart, Wirt; Chajsman J. Stewart, Doddridge; 
G. P. Taylor, Braxton; M. Titcbonell, Marion; Thomas H. Trainer, Mar- 
shall; Peter G. Van Winkle, Wood; William Walker, Wyoming; William W. 
Warder, Gilmer; .Joseph S. Wheat, Moi'gan; Waitman T. Willey, Mononga- 
lia; A. ,J. Wilson, Ritchie; Samuel Young, Pocahontas. 

Tlicie were Iwo sessions of this convention, the first in the latter jmrt 
of l."^()l, till' SI "(•(111(1 beginning February 12, 1863. The constitution was 
coiii|i1i'1imI ai llii' first session, as was supposed, but when the question of 
adinittin,!^-- IIk.' Slate into the Union was before Congress that body required 
a cliange of one section regarding slavery, and the convention was re-con- 
vened and made the necessary change. 

When the convention assembled November 15, 1861, it set about its 
task. The first intention was to name the new State Kanawha, but there 
being objections to this, the name of Augusta was suggested; then Alle- 
ghany, Western Virginia, and finally the name West Virginia was chosen. 
Selecting a name for the new State was not the most difficult matter before 
the convention. Very soon the question of slavery came up. The senti- 
ment against that institution was not strong enough to exclude it from the 
State. No doubt a majority of the peojale would have voted to exclude it, 
but there was a strong element not yet ready to dispense with slavery, and 
a division on that question was undesirable at that time. Accordingly, the 



100 CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 

constitution dismissed the slavery question ■\^ith the provision that no slave 
should V)(^ bTon<xht into tho State nor frot^ n(^irv(>os coiin' into tlic State after 
the adoiifMin of llie coiistilul ion. IJcrcnv lli,' r(iii.,tit iitioii was sul.inittud to 
a vote of the iicoplc it \v;is cluiii.triMi lo |Md\ ide lor I he ciiKiiiciiialioii of slaves. 

The new constitution iiad a, |Md\isio)i w hicli was iic\it coidaincd in the 
constitutions of Virginia; itattirincd thai West \'ii;j-iiiia sliall remain a mem- 
ber of the United States. When tliis constil nlion was IVanied it did not 
regard Hampshire, Hardy, Pendleton and Moi-,ica,n as pails ol ttie St;ite, but 
pi'ovided that they might become parts of West Vii-ginia 11 tiny voted in 
favor of adopting the constitution. They .so voted ami tliiis eaiu'' into the 
State. The same i)rovision was made in regai-d to h'Tedi'iicIs ('ouiii>-, but it 
chose to remain a jwrtion of Virginia. It was declareil ihal there sliould 
be freedom of the press and of speech, and the law ol liliel was given a lib- 
eral interpretation a.Tid was I'ejidennl ]X)werle^'s to curtail the freedom of the 
press. It was i^rovided that in snilsol lihei I he tiaith could be given in 
evidence, and if it^ appeared that the matter charged as libelous was true, 
and was publish(^d with good intentions, the judgement should be for the 
defendant in tlie suit. Tlie days of viva voce voting were past. The con- 
stitution providi'd tliat all voting should be by ballot. The Legislatm-e was 
required to meet e\'ei-\' yeai-. 

A clause was inserli'd declaring that no person who had aided or abet- 
ted the Southern Con ledcracy should become citizens of the State unless 
such persons had suhsecpienlly voluntetM-ed in the ar'my or tlie navy of the 
United States. Tiiis measure seems harsh when \iewcd from aftei- years, 
when the passions k-indled hy lhe('i\-il War ha\ecoole(i and the prejudice 
and hatriMl have l.eiduie things of the past, it must he ivnieiiii)ered that 
the constitution came into existence during the war. Tlie hetti'r judgment 
of the people at a later day st rucJN out 1 hat. (dause. But at thewoi'stthe 
mea.sui-e was onl.\- oiu' ol i-elalialion. in rememlirance of tlie l.\'raiiny reciJiitly 
shown within this State toward loyal citizens and oflice holders hy .sympa 
thizers ol' the Southern Con le.lera»-y. The o\crl .earing spirit of the politi- 
cians of liichmond found its echo westot t he .\ I leglianies. I loi'ace ( ireeley 
had been deterred from deli\'eriiig a lec-ture in Wheeliiii: on the Issues of 
the day, because his lectui'e contained relerences to the slavery (pK.'stion. 
In Ohio County, at tlial time, those wlio opposeci slavei-y were in the ma- 
jority, but not in power. 'I'here were not lilly slave hohiers in the county. 
Horace Greeley was indicted in liai-i-ison County because he had caused the 
Tribune, his newsj)a.per, lo he circulated there. The agent of the Tribune 
fled from the State to escape arrest. I'osI nuistcrs, acting, as tliey claimed, 
under the laws of Vii-^inia, I'elused to deli\ cr to suhscrihers such impers as 
the New York Tribmi, and the New Voi'l< chnsii,,,, .l<lr<K;itv. A Baptist 
minister who had taught colored children in Sum lay .school was for that act 
ostracized and he left Wheeling. Newsdealers in Wheeling were afraid to 
keep on tlieir sliehes a statistical hook writlen hy a North Carolinian, be- 
cause it treated of slax'ery in its economic aspect. Dealers were thi-eatened 
with indictment if they hamlled the \hh,U. Cassias Clay, of K'entucKy, was 
threatened witii violence lor coming to Wheeling to didiver a lecture which 
he had delivered in his own State. The newspapers of Richmcmd reproached 
Wheeling for permitting such a paper as the JntcUigenver to be published 
there. 

These instances of tyranny from Southern sympathizers are given, not 
so much for their value as simple history as to show the circumstances un- 



UplU'ld t 


lie llni< 


become t 


li 


tioii and 


S.-I(l(ll 


not be n 


iiid.' a 


siuMiors 1 


.niMM 


tlH' lialri 


■d and 


Vir-i:inia, 


■s pivs, 


bt'cniisi' 


Im' w..r 


K'cpi 


ri'Si-iita 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 101 

del' which West Vii'srinia's first constitution was made, and to give an in- 
si.o-lit into Ihi' jiai-tisan feclinET which led to the insertion of the clause dis- 
francliisintc those wIki IouK- |iait, against the United States. Those who 
had in I In' nn'antime come into power, and in turn had 
^sdis. Iv'i'laliation is never right as an abstract proposi 
)rNl as a pMliiical measure. An act of injustice should 
Mi<l('nl Ml an excuse for a wi'ong i:)erpetrated upon the 
list acl.. Tinif has done its jiart in committing to oblivion 
(■ wi-ong which grew out of the Civil War. Under West 
(•(institution no man has lesser or greater political powers 
lie hhio or tlio gr(^y. 

u in llic Sla1e Senate and House of Delegates was in pro- 
poi-tiim t(i the nunihei- (if jieople. 'J' lie ({uestionof the "white ba.sis" or the 
"Dii.xed basis," as contaiue.d in tlie Virginia constitution of 1850, no longer 
troubled West Virginia. Suffrage was extended until the people elected 
their officers. State, County and District, including all judges. 

The constitution jn'ovided for free schools, and authorized the setting 
apart of an irreducealjle fund for that purpose. The fund is derived from 
the sale of deliiKiuent lands; from grants and devises, the proceeds of estates 
of persons who die without will or heirs; money paid for exemption from 
military duty; such sums as the Legislature may appropriate, and from 
other sources. This is invested in United States or State securities, and 
the interest is annually appropriated to the su^jport of the schools. The 
Ijrincipal must not be expended. 

The constitution was submitted to the people for ratification in April, 
1863, and the vote in favor of it was 18,862, and again,st it 514. Jefferson 
and Berkeley Counties did not vote. They had not been represented in the 
convention which formed the constitution. With the close of the war Vir- 
ginia claimed them and West Virginia claimed them. The matter was 
finally settled by the Sujirame Court of the United States in 1870, in favor 
of West Vii'ginia. It was at one time considered that the counties of North- 
ampton and Accomack on the eastern shore of Virginia belonged to the new 
State of West Virginia, because they had sent delegates to the Wheeling 
Convention for the reorganization of the State government. It was once 
projiosed that these two counties be traded to Maryland in exchange for the 
two western counties in that State which were to be added to West Virginia, 
but the trade was not consummated. 

Under the constitution of 1863 the State of West Virginia was governed 
nine years, and there was general prosperity. But experience demonstra- 
ted that many of the provisions of the constitution were not perfect. 
Amendments and improvements were suggested from time to time, and 
there gradually grew up a strong sentiment in favor of a new constitution. 
On February 23, 1871, a call was issued for an election of delegates to a 
constitutional convention. The election was held in August of that year, 
and in January, 1872, the delegates met in Charleston and began the work. 
They comiileted it in a little less than three months. 

The following delegates were elected by the various senatorial and 
assembly districts of the State: Brooke County, Alexander Campbell, 
William K. Pendleton; Boone, William D. Pate; Braxton, Homer A. Holt; 
Berkeley, Andrew W. McCleary, C. J. Faulkner, John Blair Hoge; Barbour, 
Samuel Woods, J. N. B. Grim; Clay, B. W. Byrne; Calhoun, Lemuel Stump; 
Cabell, Evermont Ward, Thomas Thornburg; Doddridge, Jeptha F. Ran- 



102 CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 

dolph; Payette, Hudson M. Dickinson; Greenbrier, Henry M. Mathews, 
Samuel Price; Harrison, Bejamin Wilson, Beverly H. Lurty, John Bassel; 
Hampshire, J. D. Armstrong, Alexander Monroe; Hardy, Thomas Maslin; 
Hancock, John H. Atkinson; Jefferson, William H. Travers, Logan Osburn, 
William A. Morgan; Jackson, Thomas R. Park; Kanawha, John A. Warth, 
Edward B. Knight, Nicholas Pitzhugh; Lewis, Mathew Edmiston, Black- 
well Jackson; Logan, M. A. Staton; Morgan, Lewis Allen; Monongalia, 
Waitman T. Willey, Joseph Snider, J. Marshall Hagans; Marion, U. N. Ar- 
nett, Alpheus P. Haymond, Pountain Smith; Mason, Charles B. Waggoner, 
Alonzo Gushing; Mercer, Isaiah Bee, James Galfee; Mineral, John A. Rob- 
inson, John T. Pearce; Monroe, James M. Byrnsides, William Haynes; Mar- 
shall, James M. Pipes, J. W. Gallaher, Hanson Griswell; Ohio, George O. 
Davenport, William W. Miller, A. J. Pawnell, James S. Wheat; Putnam, 
John J. Thompson; Pendleton, Charles D. Boggs; Pocahontas, George H. 
Moffett; Preston, William G. Brown, Charles Kantner; Pleasants, W. G. H. 
Care; Roane, Thomas Perrell; Ritchie, Jacob P. Strickler; Randolph, J. P. 
Harding; Raleigh, William Price, William McCreery; Taylor, A. H. Thayer, 
Benjamin P. Martin; Tyler, Daniel D. Johnson, David S. Pugh; Upshur, D. 
D. T. Parnsworth; Wirt, D. A. Roberts, David H. Leonard; Wayne, Charles 
W. Ferguson; Wetzel, Septimus Hall; Wood, James M. Jackson, Okey 
Johnson. 

The new constitution of West Virginia enters much more fully into the 
ways and means of government than any other constitution Virginia or 
West Virginia had known. It leaves less for the courts to intiTpi'd mikI 
decide than any of the former constitutions. The details arc •■luliDiatdy 
worked out, and the powers and duties of the three departmenis ol' State 
government, the Legislative, Judicial and hlxcciitive, are stated in so pre- 
cise terms that there can be litlli' LriKiiiid tor cdiitroversy as to what the 
constitution means. The terms of t he Stale Dlticers were increased to four 
years, and the Legislatux'e's sessions were eh an, i,'ed IVoin yearly to once in 
two years. Amarked change in the tone ol the eiiii-.tiiution regarding jaer- 
sons who took part in the Civil War against the irii\ ciimient is noticeable. 
Not only is the clause in the former ('(institulion dislraiieliising those who 
took part in the Rebellion not found in the new e(insliliili(in, hut in its stead 
is a clause which repudiates, in expi-ess terms, tin' sentiment on this sub- 
ject in the former constitution. It is staled that " political tests recpii ring 
persons, as a pre-requisite to the enjoyment of their civil ami pohtieal 
rights, to purge themselves, by their own oaths, of past alleged ott'eiises, 
are reiougnant to the principles of free government, and are cruel and op- 
pressive. " The ex-Confederates and those who sympathized with and 
assisted them in their war against the United States could have been as 
effectively restored to their riglits hy a sinii)le elajise lo that effect as by the 
one emjiloyed, which passes judgmeni upon a pari of the former constitu- 
tion. The language on this subje<'t in tlie new <-onstitution may, therefore, 
be taken as the matured judgment and as an expression of the purer con- 
ception of justice by the peojole of West Virginia when the passions of the 
war had subsided, and when years had giveii time for reflection. It is pro- 
vided, also, that no person who aided or loarticipatccf in the Kebellion shall 
be liable to any proceedings, civil or criminal, foi' any a<t done by him in 
accordance with the rules of civilized warfare. It was provided in the con- 
stitution of Virginia that ministers and priests should not be eligible to seats 
in the Legislature. West Virginia's new constitution broke down the bar- 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 103 

rier against a worthy and law-abiding class of citizens. It is provided that 
' ' all men shall be free to profess, and, by argument, to maintain their opin- 
ions in matters of religion, and the same shall in no wise affect, diminisli or 
enlarge their civil cajDacities. " 

A change was made in the matter of investing the State School Fund. 
The first constitution authorized its investment in United States or West 
Virginia State securities only. The new constitution provided that it might 
be invested in other solvent securities, provided United States or this 
State's securities cannot be had. The provision for courts did not meet 
general approval as left by the constitution, and this dissatisfaction at 
length led to an amendment which was voted upon October 12, 1880, and 
was ratified by a vote of 57,941 for, to 31,270 against. It jirovides that the 
Supreme Court of Ajipeals shall consist of four judges who shall hold office 
twelve years, and they and all other judges and justices in the State shall 
be elected by the people. There shall be thirteen circuit judges, and they 
must hold at least three terais of court in every county of the State each 
year. Their tenure of office is eight years. The county court was remod- 
eled. It no longer consists of justices of the peace, nor is its power as 
large as formerly. It is comi^osed of three commissioners whose term of 
office is six years. Four regular terms of court are held yearly. The pow- 
ers and duties of the justices of the peace are clearly defined. No county 
shall have fewer than three justices nor more than twenty. Each county 
is divided into districts, not fewer than three nor more than ten in number. 
Each district has one justice, and if its i)oi3ulation is more than twelve hun- 
dred it is entitled to two. They hold office four years. 

There is a provision in the constitution that any county may change its 
gounty court if a majority of the electors vote to do so, after the forms laid 
down by law have been complied with. It is left to the people, in such a 
case, to decide what shall be the nature of the tribunal which takes the 
place of the court of commissioners. 

The growth of the idea of liberty and civil government in a century, as 
expressed in the Bill of Rights and the Virginia Constitution of 1776, and 
as embodied in the subsequent constitutions of 1830, 1850, 1863 and 1872, 
shows that the most sanguine expectations of the statesmen of 1776 have 
been realized and surpassed in the jiresent time. The right of suffrage has 
been extended beyond anything dreamed of a century ago, and it has been 
demonstrated that the people are capable of understanding and enjoying 
their enlarged liberty. The authors of Virginia's first constitution believed 
that it was unwise to entrust the masses with the powers of government. 
Therefore the chief part taken by the jjeojile in their own government was 
in the selection of their Legislature. All other State, County and District 
offices were filled by appointments or by elections by the Legislature. 
Limited as was the exercise of suffrage, it was still further restricted by a 
property qualification which disfranchised a large iwrtion of the people. 
Yet this liberty was so great in comparison with that enjoyed while under 
England's colonial government that the people were satisfied for a long 
time. But finally they demanded enlarged rights and obtained them. When 
they at length realized that they governed themselves, and were not gov- 
erned by others, they speedily advanced in the science of government. The 
property qualification was abolished. The doctrine that wealth is the 
true source of political power was relegated to the past. From that it was 
but a step for the people to exercise a right which they had long suffered 



104 CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 

others to hold — that of electing all their officers. At first they did not elect 
their own governor, and as late as 1850 they acquiesced, though somewhat 
reluctantly, in the doctrine that they could not be trusted to elect their own 
judges. But they have thrown all this aside now, and their olficei's are of 
their own selection; and no man, because he is poor, if capable of self-sup- 
port, is denied an equal voice in government with that exercised by the 
most wealthy. Men, not wealth; intelligence, not force, are the true sources 
of our political power. 



CHAPTER XL 



JOHN BROWN'S RAID. 

The attempt of John Brown to free the slaves; his seizure of the United 
States Armory at Harper's Ferry; his capture, trial and execution, form a 
page in West Virginia's history in which the whole country, and in a lesser 
degree the whole civilized world, felt an interest at the time of its occur- 
rence; and that interest will long continue. The seizure of the Govern- 
ment property at that place by an ordinary mob would have created a stir; 
but the incident would have lost its interest in a short time, and at a short 
distance from the scene of disturbance. But Brown's accomplices were no 
ordinary mob; and the jiurpose in view gave his attempt its great impor- 
tance. In fact, much more imiaortance was attached to the raid than it 
deserved. Viewed in the light of history, it is plain that Brown could not 
have freed many slaves, nor could he have caused any wide-spread uprising 
among them. The military resources of the Government, or even of the 
State of Virginia, were sufficient to stamia out in short order any attempted 
insurrection at that time. There were not enough ^^eople willing and ready 
to assist the attempt. There were too many willing and ready to put it 
down. Brown achieved about as much success as he could reasonably 
expect, and his attempt at emancipating slaves i-an its logical course. But 
the extreme sensitiveness of the slave holders and their fears that aboli- 
tionists would incite an uprising, caused Brown's bold dash to be given an 
importance at the time far beyond what it deserved. 

John Brown was a man of great courage; not easily excited; cool and 
calculating; not bloodthirsty, but willing to take the life of any one who 
stood between him and the accomplishment of his purj^ose. ,He has been 
very generally regarded as a fanatic, who had followed an idea until he 
became a monomaniac. It is difficult to prove this view of him to be incor- 
rect; yet, without doubt, his fanaticism was of a superior and unusual kind. 
The dividing line between fanatics and the highest order of reformers, those 
who live before their time, who can see the light touching the peaks beyond 
the valleys and shadows in which other men are walking, is not always 
clearly marked. It is not for us to say to which class of men Brown 
belonged; and certainly it is not given us to set him among the blind 
fanatics. If he must be classified, we run less risk of error if we place him 
with those whose prophetic vision outstrips their physical strength; with 
the sentinel on the watch tower of Sier, of whom Isaiah speaks. 

What he hoped to accomi)lish, and died in an attempt to accomplish, 
was brought about in less than five years from his death. If he failed to 
free the slaves, they were speedily freed by that sentiment of which he was 
an extreme representative. It cannot be said that Brown's efforts were the 



106 JOHN BROWN'S RAID. 

immediate, nor even the remote, cause which emancipated the black race in 
the United States; but beyond doubt the affair at Harper's Perry had a 
powerful influence in two directions. I'ith.T of which worked toward eman- 
cipation. The one influence oix'ialfd in the Xoitli iiiioii those who desired 
emancipation, stimulating them to rcncwi'it ctToits: the other influence had 
its efl'ect among the Southern slave owners, kindling their anger and their 
fear, and urging them to acts by which they hoped to strengthen their gi-ip 
upon the institution of slavery, but which led them to war against the 
Government, and their hold on slavery was shaken loose forever. John 
Brown was born in Connecticut, went to Kansas with his family and took 
part in the contention in that state which occurred between the slave fac- 
tion and those opposed to the spread of slavery. Brown affiliated with the 
latter and fought in more than one armid encounter. He was one of the 
boldest leaders, fearless in fight, stubborn in defense, and relentless in 
pursuit. He hated slavery with an inappeasable hatred. He belonged to 
the party in the North^ called Abolitionists, ' whose avowed object was to 
free the slaves. He was 'perhaps more radical than the majority of that 
radical party. They hoped to accomplish their purjiose by creating a sen- 
timent in its favor. Brown api^ears to have been impatient at this slow 
process. He believed in uniting force and argument, and he soon became 
the leader of that wing of the Ultra Abolitionists. On May 8, 1858, a secret 
meeting was held in Chatham, Canada, which was attended by delegates 
from difl'erent states, and from Canada. The object was to devise means of 
freeing the slaves. It is not known exactly what the proceedings of the 
meeting were, excejit that a constitution was outlined for the United States, 
or for such states as might be taken possession of. Brown was comman- 
der-in-chief; one of his companions named Kagi was secretary of war. 
Brown issued several military commissions. 

Harper's Perry was selected as the point for the uprising. It was to 
be seized and held as a jolace of rendezvous for slaves from Maryland and 
Virginia, and when a sufficient number had assembled there they were to 
march under arms across Maryland into Pennsylvania and there disperse. 
The negroes were to be armed with tomahawks and spears, they not being 
sufficiently acquainted with firearms to use them. It was believed that the 
slaves would eagerly grasj:) the opportunity to gain their freedom, and that 
the movement, begun at one point, would sjuinicI and grow until slaveiy 
was stamped out. Brown no doubt inc-oni'cti.v cslimated the sentiment in 
the North in 'favor of emancipation by loicc of arms. In company with his 
two sons, Watson and Oliver, Brown rented a farm near Sharpsburg, in 
Maryland, from Dr. Kennedy. This was within a few miles of Harper's 
Perry, and was used as a gathering point for Bi'own's followers, and as a 
place of concealment for arms. Brown repicsmlcd that his name was 

Anderson. He never had more than twenty I w cii about the farm. 

Prom some source in the East, never certainly ascritained, arms were 
shipped to Brown, under the name of J. Smith & Sou. The boxes were 
double, so that no one could suspect their contents. In this manner he 
received two hundred and ninety Sharp's rifles, two hundred Maynard 
revolvers and one thousand spears and tomahawks. Brown expected from 
two thousand to five thousand men, exclusive of slaves, to rise at his word 
and come to his assistance. In this he was mistaken. He knew that 
twenty-two men could not hold Harper's Perry, and without doubt he calcu- 
lated, and expected even to the last hour before capture, that his forces 



JOHN BROWN-S RAID. 107 

would rally to his assistance. When he found that they had not done so, 
he concluded that the blow had been struck too soon. 

About ten o'clock on the night of October 16, 1859, with seventeen 
white men and five negroes. Brown ijroceeded to Harper's Perry, over- 
I30wered the sentry on the bridge, seized the United States arsenal, in 
which were stored arms sufficient to equip an army, took several persons 
prisoner and confined them in the armory; visited during the night some of 
the farmers in the vicinity, took them prisoner and declai-ed freedom to 
their slaves ; cut the telegrajih wires leading from Harper's Perry ; seized 
an eastbound train on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, but subsequently 
let it i^roceed, after announcing that no other train would be permitted to 
pass through Harper's Perry. 

The peoi^le in the town knew nothing of what was taking place until 
daybreak. At that time a negro porter at the railroad station was shot and 
killed because he refused to join the insurgents, and an employe at the 
armory was shot at when he refused to be taken prisoner. A merchant 
witnessed the shooting, and fired from his stbre at one of Brown's men. 
He missed, but was shot dead in return. When workmen belonging to the 
armory appeared at the hour for beginning their daily labors they were 
arrested and confined in one of the Government buildings as a prison. The 
village was now alarmed. The mayor of the town, Pontaine Beckham, and 
Captain George Turner, formerly of the United States Army, apjieared on 
the scene, and were fired uj^on and killed. The wii-es, having been cut, 
news of the insurrection was slow in reaching the surrounding country; but 
during the forenoon telegrams were sent from the nearest offices. The 
excitement throughout the South was ti'emendous. The people there 
believed that a gigantic uprising of the slaves was at hand. The meagre 
information concerning the exact state of affairs at Harper's Perry caused 
it to be greatly over estimated. At Washington the sensation amounted to 
a shock. General Robert E. Lee was ordered to the scene at once with one 
hundred marines. 

Military companies began to arrive at Harper's Perry from neighboring 
towns. The first upon the scene was Colonel Baylor's company from 
Charlestown. Shortly afterwards two companies arrived from Martins- 
burg. A desultory fire was kept up during the day, in which several per- 
sons were killed. An assault on one of the buildings held by Bi-own was 
successfully made by the militia. Pour of the insurgents were killed and a 
fifth was made prisoner. Brown and the remainder of his men took refuge 
in the engine house at the armory, except four who fled and escaped to 
Pennsylvania. Two of them were subsequently cai^tured. Two of Brown's 
men came out to hold a jiarley and were shot and taken prisoner. One was 
killed in revenge for the death of Mayor Beckham; the other was subse- 
quently tried, convicted and hanged. About three o'cloclv in the afternoon 
of October 17, about twenty railroad men made a dash at the engine house, 
broke down the door and killed two of Brown's men. But they were 
repulsed with seven of their number wounded. 

Before sunset there were more than one thousand men in Harijer's 
Perry under arms, having come in from the surrounding country; but no 
further assault was made on Brown's ^josition that day for fear of killing 
the men whom be held i^risoner in the building with him. That night R. 
E. Lee arrived from Washington with one hundred marines and two pieces 
of artillery. Lieutenant J. E. B. Stuart was with him. Early Tuesday 



108 JOHN BROWN'S RAID. 

morning, October 18, Stuart was sent to demand an unconditional surren- 
der, promising only that Brown and his men should be protected from 
immediate violence, and should have a trial under the laws of the country. 
Brown refused to accept these terms, but demanded that he and his men be 
permitted to march out with their prisoners, cross the Potomac unpui'sued. 
They would then free their piisoners and would escape if they could; if not 
they would tight. Of course Stuart did not accept this ofRer. Preparations 
were made for an attack. The marines brought up a heavy ladder, and 
using it as a battering ram, broke open the door of che engine house and 
rushed in. Brown and his men fought till killed or overpowered. The 
first man who entei-ed, named Quinn, was killed. Brown was stabbed twice 
with bayonets and then cut down by a sabre stroke. All of his men but two 
were killed or wounded. These were taken prisoner. Of the whole band 
of twenty-two, ten white men and three negroes were killed; three white 
men were wounded; two had made their escape; all the others were cap- 
tured. 

It was believed that Brown's injuries would prove fatal in a few hours, 
but he rallied. Within the next few days he was indicted for murder, and 
for treason against the United States. In his case the customary interval 
did not elapse between his indictment and his trial. He was captux'ed 
October 18, and on October 26 his case was called for ti'ial in the county 
court at Charlestown, in Jefferson County. Brown's attorney asked for a 
continuance on the ground that the defendant was physically unable to 
stand trial. The motion for a continuance was denied, and the trial jiro- 
ceeded. Brown reclined on a cot, being unable to sit. The trial was 
extremely short, considering the importance of the case. Within less than 
three days the jury had brought in a verdict of guilty, and Brown was sen- 
tenced to be hanged December 16. Executive clemency was sought. 
Under the law of Vii'ginia at that time the Governor was forbidden to grant 
pardon to any one convicted of treason except with the consent of the 
Assembly. Governor Henry A. Wise notitied the Assembly of Brown's 
application for pardon. That body passed a resolution, December 7, by 
which it refused to interfere in Brown's behalf, and he died on the scaffold 
at the appointed time. Six of his companions were executed, four on the 
same day with their leader, and two in the following March. 

The remains of Brown were taken to North Elba, New York, where 
Wendell Phillips pronounced a eulogy. Perhaps Brown contributed more 
to the emancipation of slaves by his death than by his life. 



CHAPTER XII, 



THE ORDINANCE OF SECESSION. 

Although West Virginia at the time was a part of Virginia, it refused 
to go with the majority of the people of that State in seceding from the 
United States and joining the Southern Confederacy. The circumstances 
attending that refusal constitute an imiDortant chapter in the history of 
West Virginia. Elsewhere in this book, in speaking of the constitution of 
this and the mother State, reference is made to the differences in sentiment 
and interests between the people west of the AUeghanies and those east of 
that range. The Ordinance of Secession was the rock upon which Virginia 
was broken in twain. It was the occasion of the west's separating from the 
east. The territory which ought to have been a separate State at the time 
Kentucky became one seized the opjiortunity of severing the political ties 
which had long bound it to the Old Dominion. After the war Virginia in- 
vited the new State to reunite with it, but a polite rejjly was sent that West 
Virginia preferred to retain its statehood. The sentiment in favor of sep- 
aration did not spring up at once. It had been growing for three-quarters 
of a century. Before the close of the Revolutionary War the subject had 
attracted such attention that a report on the subject was made by a com- 
mittee in Congress. But many years before that time a movement for a 
new State west of the AUeghanies had been inaugurated by George Wash- 
ington, Benjamin Franklin and others, some of whom were interested in 
land on the Kanawha and elsewhere. The new State was to be named Van- 
dalia, and the capital was to be at the mouth of the Great Kanawha. The 
movement for a new State really began there, and never afterwai-ds slept; 
and finally, in 1863, it was accomplished, after no less than ninety-three 
years of agitation. 

The Legislature of Virginia met in extra session January 7, 1861. The 
struggle had begun. The Confederates had not yet opened their batteries 
on Port Sumpter, but the South had plainly spoken its defiance. The 
Southern Confederacy was forming. The elements of resistance were get- 
ting together. The storm of war was about to break upon the country. 
States further South had seceded or had decided to do so. Virginia had 
not yet decided. Its peojile were divided. The State hesitated. If it joined 
the Confederacy it would be the battle ground in the most gigantic war the 
world ever saw. It was the gateway by which the armies of the North 
would invade the South. Some affected to believe, perhaps some did be- 
lieve, that there would be no war; that the South would not be invaded; 
that the North would not go beyond argument. But the people of better 
judgment foresaw the storm and they knew where it would break. The 
final result no man foresaw. Many hoped, many doubted, but at that time 



110 THE ORDINANCE OF SECESSION. 

no man saw what four years would bring forth. Thus Virginia hesitated 
long before she cast her fortunes with the States already organized to op- 
pose the government. When she took the fatal step; when she fought as 
only the brave can fight; when she was crushed by weight rather than van- 
quished, she accepted the result and emerged from the smoke of battle still 
great; and like Carthage of old, her splendor seemed only the more con- 
spicuous by the desolation which war had brought. 

The Virginia Legislature called a convention to meet at Richmond Feb- 
ruary 13, 1861. The time was short, but the crisis was at hand. The flame 
was kindling. Meetings wei'e being held in all the eastern i)art of the State, 
and the people were nearly unanimous in their (IcmaiKl that the State join 
the Confederacy. At least few opposed this (li'iiiaiid, luit at that time it is 
probable that one-half of the people of the Stall' oiiposctl secession. The 
eastern part was in favor of it. West of the Alleghany Mountains the case 
was different. The mass of the people did not at once grasp the situation. 
They knew the signs of the times were strange; that currents were drifting 
to a center; but that war was at hand of gigantic magnitude, and that the 
State of Virginia was "choosing that day whom she would serve," were 
not clearly understood at the outset. But, as the great truth dawned and 
as its lurid light became brighter. West Virginia was not slow in choosing 
whom she would serve. The people assembled in their towns and a num- 
ber of meetings were held even before the convening of the si^ecial session 
of the Legislature, and there was but one sentiment exj^ressed and that was 
loyalty to the government. Preston county held the first meeting, Novem- 
ber 12, 1860; Harrison County followed the twenty-sixth of the same month; 
two days later the people of Monongalia assembled to discuss and take 
measures; a similar gathering took place in Taylor County, December 4, and 
another in Wheeling ten days later; and on the seventh of the January fol- 
lowing there was a meeting in Mason County. 

On January 21 the Virginia Legislature declared by resolution that, 
unless the differences between the two sections of the country could be 
reconciled, it was Virginia's duty to join the Coiifi'dcracy. Tliat ifsolntion 
went side by side with the call for an election ol' clclciralrs hi the Iviclnnond 
Convention, which was to "take measures." The rlrctiwu was held l''cl)ru- 
ary 4, 1861, and nine days later the memorable convention assembled. Lit- 
tle time had been given for a campaign. Western Virginia sent men who 
were the peers of any from the eastern part of the State. The following 
delegates were chosen from the territory now forming West Vii-ginia: Bar- 
bour County, Samuel Woods; Braxton and Nicholas, B. W. Byrne; Berke- 
ley, Edmund Pendleton and Allen C. Hammond; Brooke, Campbell Tarr; 
Cabell, William McComas; Doddridge and Tyler, Chapman J. Stuart; Fay- 
ette and Raleigh, Henry L. Gillespie; Greenbrier, Samuel Price; Gilmer and 
Wirt, C. B. Conrad; Hampshire, David Pugh and Edmund M. Armstrong; 
Hancock, George M. Porter; Harrison, John S. Carlile and Benjamin Wil- 
son; Hardy, Thomas Maslin; Jackson and Roane, Franklin P. Turner; Jef- 
ferson, Alfred M. Barbour and Logan Osburn; Kanawha, Sj^icer Patrick 
and George W. Summers; Lewis, Caleb Boggess; Logan, Boone and Wyom- 
ing, James Lawson; Marion, Ephraim B. Hall and Alpheus S. Haymond; 
Marshall, James Burley; Mason, James H. Crouch; Mercer, Napoleon B. 
French; Monongalia, Waitman T. Willey and Marshall M. Dent; Monroe, 
John Echols and Allen T. Caperton; Morgan, Johnson Orrick; Ohio, Ches- 
ter D. Hubbard and Sherard Clemens; Pocahontas, Paul McNeil; Preston, 



THE ORDINANCE OP- SECESSION. Ill 

William G. Brown and James C. McGrew; Putnam, James W. Hoge; Ritchie, 
Cyrus Hall; Randolph and Tucker, J. N. Hughes: Taylor, John S. Burdette; 
Upshur, George W. Berlin; Wetzel, L. S. Hall; Wood, General John J. Jack- 
son; Wayne, Burwell Spurlock. 

When the convention met it was doubtful if a majority were in favor of 
Secession. At any rate the leaders in that movement, who had caused the 
convention to be called for that express purj^ose, appeared afraid to push 
the question to a vote, and from that day began the work which ultimately 
succeeded in winning over enough delegates, who at first were opposed to 
Secession, to carry the State into the Confederacy. 

There were forty-six delegates from the counties now forming West 
Virginia. Nine of these voted for the Ordinance of Secession, seven were 
absent, one was excused, and twenty-nine voted against it. The jirincipal 
leaders among the West Virginia delegates who opposed Secession were J. 
C. McGrew, of Preston County; George W. Summers, of Kanawha County; 
General John J. Jackson, of Wood County; Chester D. Hubbard, of Ohio 
County, and Waitman T. Willey, of Monongalia County. Willey was the 
leader of the leaders. He employed all the eloquence of which he was mas- 
ter, and all the reason and logic h^ could command to check the rush into 
what he clearly saw was disaster. No man of feeble courage could have 
taken the stand which he took in that convention. The agents from the 
States which had already seceded were in Richmond urging the peojile to 
Secession. The convention held out for a month against the clamor, and 
so fierce became the populace that delegates who opposed Secession were 
threatened with personal assault and were in danger of assassination. The 
peril and the pressure induced many delegates to go over to the Confeder- 
acy. But the majority held out against Secession. In the front was Gen- 
eral John J. Jackson, one of West Virginia's most venerable citizens. He 
was of the material which never turns aside from danger. A cousin of 
Stonewall Jackson, he had seen active service in the field before Stonewall 
was born. He had fought the Seminoles in Florida, and had been a mem- 
ber of General Andrew Jackson's staff. He had been intrusted by the Gov- 
ernment with imi^ortant and dangerous duties before he was old enough to 
vote. He had traversed the wilderness on horseback and alone between 
Florida and Kentucky, jierforming in this manner a circuitous journey of 
three thousand miles, much of it among the camjjs and over the hunting 
grounds of treacherous Indians. Innured to dangers and accustomed to 
peril, he was not the man to flinch or give ground. He stood up for the 
Union; spoke for it; urged the convention to pause on the brink of the abyss 
before taking the leajo. Another determined worker in the famous conven- 
tion was Judge G. W. Summers, of Charleston. He was in the city of Wash- 
ington attending a " Peace Conference " when he received news that the 
people of Kanawha County had elected him a delegate to the Richmond 
Convention. He hurried to Richmond and opposed with all his powers the 
Ordinance of Secession. A speech which he delivered against that measure 
has been pronounced the most ])owerful heard in the convention. 

On March 2 Mr. Willey iii:i(li> ;i i-iMiKirk.-il)li' speech in the convention. 
He announced that his purpose \v;i-, not lo re]ily tn t he arguiiieuts of the 
disunionists, but to defend the i-ig]il of Iree speech wliicli KichiiKind, out of 
the halls of the convention and in, was trying to stille by thfeats and deri- 
sion. He warned the people that when free speech is sileiu'ed liberty is no 
longer a realty, but a mere mockery. He then took- up the Secession ques- 



112 THE ORDINANCE OF SECESSION. 

tion, although he had not intended to do so when he began speaking, and 
he prosontod in so forcible a manner the av,ijnm<»nts against Secession that 
he made a. pi-ofdiiiid impression ujion ilic idiivcnlion. During the whole of 
that niontli tlic Secessionists were unalile lo eairy their measure through. 
But when Fort Sumpter was fired on, and vvheu the President of the United 
States called for 75,000 volunteers, the Oi-dinance of Secession passed, April 
17, 1861. 

The next day, A]tril IS, a numbei' of delegates from Westei-n Virginia 
declareil tliat Miey would not abidi' liy llie arlimi nl' I Ik- coiucntion. Amid 
the I'oar (it Ivii-liiiioud run mad, 1 liey lie.Lraii Id cDiisult aiiiong themselves 
what course to pui'sue. On April l!() several ot I he West Virginians met in a 
bed-room of the Powliatan hotel and decided that nothing more could be 
done by them at Richmond to hinder or defeat liie Secession movement. 
They agreed to return home and urge their constituents to vote against the 
Ordinance at the election set for May 24. Tliey Ijegaii to depart for their 
homes. Some had gotten safely out of Richmond and beyond the reach of 
the Confederates before it became known tluit the western delegates were 
leaving. Others were still in Richmond, aiid a plan was formed to keep 
them prisoners in the city — not in jail»-but they were required to obtain 
passes from the Governor before leaving the city. It was correctly sur- 
mised that the haste shown by these delegates in taking their departure 
was due to their determination to stir up opposition to the Ordinance of 
Secession in tlu> western part of the State. But when it was learned that 
most of the western delegates had already left Richmond it was deemed un- 
wise todetain the tew who vet I'eiiiai iuhI, and they wore permitted to depart, 
which they did without loss of tiuu'. 

Before the |ieople knew that all ( )rd i nance of Secession had passed, the 
convention he^^Mii to le\v war ujion the United States. Before the seal of 
secrecy luwl been removed rr(jin the proceedings of that body, large ajjpro- 
priations for military purjioses had l)een ma<le. Officers were appointed; 
troops were armed; forts and arsenals belonging to the Government had 
been seized. The arsenal at Harper's I'eiry anil that at Norfolk had fallen 
before attacks of Virginia troo^^s before the people of that State knew that 
they were no longer regarded as citizens of the United States. The con- 
vention still in secret session, without the knowledge or consent of the 
people of Virginia, had annexed that State to the Southei-n Confederacy. 
It was all done with the pi-esum[ition that the |ieo|ile of the State would 
sustain the Ordinance of Secession when they had learned of its existence 
and when they were given an opportunity to\(ite upon it. The election 
came May i24, 1861; and before that day thei-e were tliiity thousand soldiei'S 
in the State east of the Alleghanies, and trotjps had been jmshed across 
the mountains into Western \'irginia. The majority of votes cast in the 
State were in favor ol latilying the Ordinance of Secession; but West Vir- 
ginia voted against it. Eastern Virginia was carried by storm. The 
excitement was intense. The cry was for war, if any attempt should be 
made to hinder Virginia's going into the Southern Confederacy. Many 
men whose sober judgment was opposed to Secesssion, were swept into it 
by their surroundings. 



CHAPTER XIIL 



THE RE^ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT, 

The officers and visible government of Virginia abdicated when they 
joined the Southern Confederacy. The people reclaimed and resumed their 
sovereignty after it had been abdicated by their regularly constituted 
authorities. This right belongs to the jseople and can not be taken from 
them. A public servant is elected to keep and exercise this .sovereignty in 
trust, but he can do no more. When he ceases doing this the sovereignty 
returns whence it came — to the peoj)le. When "Virginia's public officials 
seceded from the United kStates and joined the Southern Confederacy they 
carried with them their individual persons and nothing more. The people 
of the State were dejirived of none of the rights of self-government, but 
their government was left, for the time being, without officers to execute it 
and give it form. In bi'ief , the people of Virginia had no government, but 
had a right to a government, and they proceeded to create one by choosing 
officers to take the i^lace of those who had abdicated. This is all there was 
in the j-e-organization of the Government of Virginia, and it was done by 
citizens of the TTnitoil States, proceeding under that clause in the Federal 
Constitution which ilrclaics: "The United States shall guarantee to every 
State in this Uiiidii a- lu'|)iil)lican form of government." 

The Covei'nuient of Virginia was re-organized; the State of West Vir- 
ginia was created, and nothing was done in violation of the stricte.st letter 
and spirit of the United States Constitution. The stejis were as follows, 
stated briefly here, but more in detail elsewhere in this book. The loyal 
people of Virginia reclaimed and resumed their sovereignty and re-organized 
their government. This government, through its Legislature, gave its 
consent for the creation of West Virginia from a part of Virginia's territory. 
Delegates elected by I he people of the proposed new State prepared a con- 
stitution. The ]i(Mi[i|c (if the proposed new State adopted this constitution. 
Congress admitted the State. The President issued a proclamation declar- 
ing West Virginia to be one of the United States. This State came into the 
Union in the same manner and by the same process and on the same terms 
as all other States. The details of the re-ox'ganization of the Virginia State 
Government will now be set forth more in detail. 

When Virginia passed the Ordinance of Secession the territory now 
forming West Virginia refused to acquie.sce in I hat measure. The vote on 
the Ordinance in West Virginia was about ten to one against it, or forty 
thousand against four thousand. In some of the counties there were more 
than twenty to one against Secession. The sentiment was very strong, and 
it soon took shape in the form of mass meetings, which were largely atten- 
ded. When the delegates from West Virginia arrived home from the Rich- 



114 THE RE-ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT. 

mond Convention and laid before their constituents the state of affairs there 
■was an immediate movement having for its object the nullification of the 
Ordinance. Although the peo2ile of Western Virginia had long wanted a 
new State, and although a very general sentiment favored an immediate 
movement toward that (^id, yot h conservative course was pursued. Haste 
and rashness gavo way to malnic judgment, and the new State movement 
took a course sti'iith- i-otisiii uiidiial. The Virginia Government was first 
re-organized. Tliat (lone, ihc Constitution of the United States provided a 
way for creating the m-w Slato, for when the re-organized government was 
recognized by tln' T'nilcil States, and when a Legislature had been elected, 
that Legislature could give its consent to the formation of a new State from 
a portion of Virginia's territory, and the way was thereby provided for the 
accomplishment of the object. 

On the day in which the Ordinance of Secession was passed, April 17, 
18fil, and before the people knew what had been done, a mass-meeting was 
held at Morgantown which adopted resolutions declaring that Western Vir- 
ginia would remain in the Union. A division of the State was suggested 
in case the eastern part should vote to join the Confederacy. A meeting in 
Wetzel County, April 22, voiced the same sentiment, and similar meetings 
were held in Taylor, Wood, .TacK-son, Mason and elsewhere. But the move- 
ment took detinite foi-iii at a mass meet inir of the citi/.eiis ol' Uai'rison 
County, held al ClarK-sluir.j-, Ajnal I'L', whieii \va,> altendeil hy twelve hun- 
dred men. Nt,)t <july ilid this mei;tiiig 2>rolest against the ediiist' whieli was 
hurrying Virginia out of the Union, but a line of ad ion was suggested for 
checking the Secos.sion movement, at least in the western part of the State. 
A call was sent out for a, general meeting, to be held in U'lieeling, May li!. 
The counties of Westeiai VirgiTila \vei-e'as!ced lu .d.'et their wisest niea to 
this convention, its ohjecis were staled in general I.m ms to l)e the discus- 
sion of ways and means for pro\idiug for llie State's best interesls in the 
crisis which had arrived. 

Twenty-five counties responded, and the delegates who assembled in 
Wheeling on May 13 were representatives of the people, men who were de- 
termined that the portion of Viigini;i west of the Alleghany Mountains 
should not take part in a war againsl the Union without the consent and 
against the will of the people o I' the atl'eeted territory. Hampshire and 
Berkolev Counties, easi of the Alleghanies, sent deh-gates. Many of the 
men wlio attended tlie i-on\ ention were the best known west of tlie Alle- 
ghanies, and in the suhse(iuent histoi-y of Wm'sI Virginia thei)- names have 
become household words. The roll of the convention was as follows: 

Barbour County — Silencer Dayton, E. H. Manatee, J. H. Shuttleworth. 

Berkeley County — 1. W. Dailey, A. R. McQuilkin, J. S. Bowers. 

Broo! e County M. Walker, Bazael Wells, J. D. Nichols, Eh Green, 
John G. Jacoi;, .iosei'h (list, Robert Nichols, Adam Kuhn, David Hervey, 
Campbell Tarr, Nathaniel Wells, J. R. Burgoine, James Archer, Jesse Edg- 
ington, R. L. Jones, James A. Campbell. 

Doddridge County — S. S. Kinney, J. Cheverout, J. Smith, J. P. F. Ran- 
dolph, J. A. Foley. 

Hampshire County Ceor-e W. Broski, O. D. Downey, Dr. B. B. Shaw, 

Geor-e W. Sheet/, (HMM-e-e \V. Kizei'. 

Hancock- County Thomas Andenson, W. C. Murray, William B. Free- 
man, George M. Porter, W. L. Crawford, L. R. Smith, J. C. Crawford, B. 
J. Smith, J. L. Freeman, John Gardner, George Johnston, J. S. Porter, 



THE RE-ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT. 115 

James Stevenson, J. S. Pomeroy, R. Breneman, David Donahoo, D. S. 
Nicholson, Thayer Melvin, James H. Pugh, Bwing Turner, H. Parnsworth, 
James G. Marshall, Samuel Freeman, John Mahan, Joseph D. Allison, John 
H. Atkinson, Jonathan Allison, D. C. Pugh, A. Moore, William Brown, Wil- 
liam Hewitt, David Jenkins. 

Harrison County— W. P. Goff, B. P. Shuttleworth, William Duncan, L. 
Bowen, William E. Lyon, James Lynch, John S. Carlile, Thomas L. Moore, 
John J. Davis, S. S. Fleming, Felix S. Sturm. 

Jackson County — G. L. Kennedy, J. V. Rowley, A. Plesher, C. M. Rice, 
D. Woodruff, George Leonard, J. F. Scott. 

Lewis County— A. S. Withers, F. M. Chalfant, J. W. Hudson, P. M. 
Hale. J. Woofter, J. A. J. Lightburn, W. L. Grant. 

Marshall County — Thomas Wilson, Lot Enix, John Wilson, G. Hubbs, 
John Ritchie, J. W. Boner, J. Alley, S. B. Stidger, Asa Browning, Samuel 
Wilson, J. McCondell, A. Bonar, D. Price, D. Roberts, G. W. Evans, Thos. 
Dowler, R. Alexander, E. Conner, John Withers, Charles Snediker, Josejah 
McCombs, Alexander Kemple, J. S. Riggs, Alfred Gaines, V. P. Gorby, 
Nathan Pish, A. Francis, William Phillii)s, S. Ingram, J. Garvin, Dr. Marsh- 
man, William Luke, William Baii'd, J. Winders, P. Clement, James Camp- 
bell, J. B. Hornbrook, John Parkinson, John H. Dickey, Thomas Morrissa, 
W. Alexander, John Laughhn, W. T. Head, J. S. Parriott, W. J. Purdy, H. 

C. Kemjjle, R. Swan, John Reynolds, J. Hornbrook, William McFarland, 
G. W. Evans, W. R. Kimmons, William Collins, R. C. Holliday, J. B. Mor- 
ris, J. W. McCarriher, Joseph Turner, Hiram McMechen, E. H. Caldwell, 
James Garvin, L. Gardner, H. A. Francis, Thomas Dowler, John R. Mor- 
row, William Wasson, N. Wilson, Thomas Morgan, S. Dorsey, R. B. Hunter. 

Monongalia County — Waitman T. Willey, William Lazier, James Evans, 
Leroy Kramer. W. E. Hanaway, Elisha Coombs, H. Dering, George 
McNeeley, H. N. Mackey, E. D. Fogle, J. T. M. Laskey, J. T. Hess, C. H. 
Burgess, John Bly, William Price, A. Brown, J. R. Boughner, W. B. 
Shaw, P. L. Rice, Josepli JollilT, William Anderson, E. P. St. Clair, P. T. 
Lashley, Marshall M. Dent, Isaac Scott, Jacob Miller, D. B. Dorsey, Daniel 
White, N. C. Vandervort, A. Derranet, Amos S. Bowlsby, Joseph Snyder, 
J. A. Wiley, John McCarl, A. Garrison. E. B. Taggart, E. P. Finch. 

Marion County — F. H. Pierpont, Jesse Shaw, Jacob Streams, Aaron 
Hawkins, James C. Beatty, William Beatty, J. C. Beeson, R. R. Brown, J. 
Holman, Thomas H. Bains, Hiram Haymond, H. Merryfield, Joshua Carter, 
G. W. JoUiff, John Chisler, Thomas Hough. 

Mason County— Lemuel Harpold, W. E. Wetzel, Wyatt Willis, John 
Goodley, Joseph McMachir, William Harper, William Harpold, Samuel 
Davis, Daniel Polsley. J. N. Jones, Samuel Yeager, R. C. M. Lovell, Major 
Brown, John Greer, A. Stevens, W. C. Starr, Stephen Comstock, J. M. 
I'helps, Charles B. Waggener, Asa Brigham, David Rossin, B. J. Rollins, 

D. C. Sayre, Charles Bumgardner, E. B. Davis, William Hopkins, A. A. 
Rogers, John O. Butler, Timothy Russell, John Hall. 

Ohio County— J. C. Orr, L. S. Delaplain, J. R. Stifel, G. L. Cranmer, 
A. Bedillion, Alfred Caldwell, John McClure, Andrew Wilson, George 
Forbes, Jacob Berger, John C. Hoffman, A. J. Woods, T. H. Logan, James 
S. Wheat, George W. Norton, N. H. Garrison, James PauU, J. M. Bickel, 
Robert Crangle, George Bowers, John K. Botsford, L. D. Waitt, J. Horn- 
brook, S. Waterhou.se, A. Handlan, J. W. Paxton, S. H. Woodward, C. D. 
Hubbard, Daniel Lamb, John Stiner, W. B. Curtis, A. F. Ross, A. B. Cald- 



116 THE RE-ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT. 

well, J. R. Hubbard, E. Buchanon, John Pierson, T. Witham, E. McCaslin. 

Pleasants County — Friend Cochran, James Williamson, Robert Parker, 
R. A. Cramer. 

Preston County— R. C. Crooks, H. C. Hagans, W. H. King, James W. 
Brown, Summers McCrum, Charles Hooten, William P. Portney, James A. 
Brown, G. H. Kidd, John Howard, D. A. Letzinger, W. B. Linn, W. J. 
Brown, Reuben Morris. 

Ritchie County — D. Rexroad, J. P. Harris, N. Rexroad, A. S. Cole. 

Roane County — Irwin C. Stump. 

Taylor County — J. Means, J. M. Wilson, J. Kennedy, J. J. Warren, T. 
T. Monroe, G. R. Latham, B. Bailey, J. J. Allen, T. Gather, John S. Bur- 
dette. 

Tyler County — Daniel Sweeney, V. Smith, W. B. Kerr, D. D. Johnson, 
J. C. Parker, William Pritchard, D. King, S. A. Hawkins, James M. Smith, 
J. H. Johnson, Isaac Davis. 

Upshur County— C. P. Rohrbaugh, W. H. Williams. 

Wayne County— C. Spurlock, P. Moore, W. W. Brumfield, W. H. Cop- 
ley, Walter Queen. 

Wirt County— E. T. Graham, Henry Newman, B. Ball. 

Wetzel County— Elijah Morgan, t! E. Williams, Joseph Murphy, Wil- 
liam Burrows, B. T. Bowers, J. R. Brown. J. M. Bell, Jacob Young, Reu- 
ben Martin, R. Reed, R. S. Sayres, W. D. Welker, George W. Bier, Thos. 
McQuown, John Alley, S. Stephens, R. W. Lauck, John McClaskey, Richard 
Cook, A. McEldowney, B. Vancamp. 

Wood County— William Johnston, W. H. Baker, A. R. Dye, V. A. Dun- 
bar, G. H. Ralston, S. M. Peterson, S. D. Compton, J. L. Padgett, George 
Loomis, George W. Henderson, E. Deem, N. H. Colston, A. Hinckley, Ben- 
nett Cook, S. S. Sjjencer, Thomas Leach, T. E. McPlierson, Joseph Dagg, 
N. W. Warlow, Peter Riddle, John Paugh, S. L. A. Burche, J. J. Jackson, 
J. D. Ingram, A. Laughlin, J. C. Rathbone, W. Vroman, G. E. Smith, D. 
K. Baylor, M. Woods, Andrew Als, Jesse Burche, S. Ogden, Sardis Cole, 
P. Reed, John McKibben, W. Athey, C. Hunter, R. H. Burke, W. P. Davis, 
George Compton, C. M. Cole, Roger Tiffins, H. Rider, B. H. Bukey, John 
W. Moss, R. B. Smith, Arthur Drake, C. B. Smith, A. Mather, A. H. 
Hatcher, W. E. Stevenson, Jesse Murdock, J. Burche, J. Morrison, Henry 
Cole, J. G. Blackford, C. J. Neal, T. S. Conley, J. Barnett, M. P. Amiss, 
T. Hunter, J. J. Neal, Edward Hoit, N. B. Caswell, Peter Dils, W. F. Henry, 
A. C. McKinsey, Rufus Kinnard, J. J. Jackson, Jr. 

The convention assembled to take whatever action might seem proper, 
but no detinite plan had been decided upon further than that Western Vir- 
ginia should protest against going into Secession with Virginia. The ma- 
jority of l!;o members looked forwai'd to the formation of a new State as 
the ultimate tiud chief purpose of the convention. Time and care were 
necessary for the accomplishment of this object. But there were several, 
chief among whom was John S. Carlile, who boldly proclaimed that the 
time for forming a new State was at hand. There was a sharp division in 
the convciitiDii iis to tlio host iiipthod of attaining that end. While Carlile 
led thosi' who wric foi- iniiiii'iliiitc .■idioii, U'ail man T. Willey was among 
the foiTiiiosl of tlidsc who i'lsislod ih;il ( he hiisiuess must be conducted in 
a business I il<o \\ay, first by rL-oi\i?;uii/>iug Iho Guvt'rnment of Virginia, and 
then obtaiuiug the consent of the Legislature to divide tlic State. Mr. 
Carlile actually introduced a measure providing for ;i, new State at once. 



THE RE-ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT. 117 

It met with much favor. But Mr. Willey aud others ijointed out that pre- 
cipitate action would (lel'eat the object in view, because Congress would 
never recognize llic Slalc so created. After much controversy there was a 
compromise rcaclu'd, wlii.-h was not difficult, where all parties aimed at 
the greatest good, and dilfered only as to the best means of attaining it. 

At that time the Ordinance of Secession had not been voted upon. Vir- 
ginia had already turned over to the Southern Confederacy all its military 
supplies, public ]>ro])crty, troops and iiiati'rials, stipulating that, in case the 
Ordinance of Stn-.'ssioii should \h' (IcI'imIciI at I lie pulls, the property should 
revert to the Stale. The Wliceliag Convrnlion t(.)uk steps, pending the 
election, recommending that, in case Secession carried at the polls, a con- 
vention be held for the jwrpose of deciding what to do — whether to divide 
the State or simjily re-organize the Government. This was the com23romise 
measure which was satisfactory t(.) both parties of the convention. Until 
the Ordinance of Secession had l)eeii latiiied by the people Virginia was 
still, in law if not in fact, a member of the l'\'deral Union, and any step was 
premature looking to a division of .the State or a re-or*anization of its Gov- 
ernment before the election. P. H. Pierpont, afterwards Governor, intro- 
duced the resolution which provided for another convention in case the 
Ordinance of Secession should be ratified at the polls. The resolution j)ro- 
vided that the counties rej^resented in the convention, and all other counties 
of Virginia disposed to act with them, appoint on June 4, 1861, delegates to 
a convention to meet June 11. This convention would then be prepared to 
proceed to business, whether that business should be the re-organization of 
the Government of Virginia or the dividing of the State, or both. Having 
finished its work, the convention adjourned. Had it rashly attempted to 
divide the State at that time the effort must have failed, and the bad effects 
of the failure, and the consequent confusion, would have been far-reaching. 
No man can tell whether such a failure would not have defeated for all time 
the creation of West Virginia from Virginia's territory. 

The vote on the Ordinance of Secession took place May 23, 1861, and 
the peoi^le of eastern Virginia voted to go out of the Union, but the part 
now comprising West Virginia gave a large majority against seceding. 
Delegates to the Assembly of Virginia were elected at the same time. Great 
interest was now manifested west of the Alleghanies in the subject of a new 
State. Delegates to the second Wheeling Convention were elected June 4, 
and met June 11, 1861. The members of the tii-st convention had been ap- 
pointed by mass-meetings and otherwise, but those of the second conven- 
tion had been chosen by the suffrage of the people. Thirty counties were 
represented as follows : 

Barbour County — N. H. Taft, Spencer Dayton, John H. Shuttleworth. 

Brooke County — W. H. Crothers, Joseph Gist, John D. Nichols, Camp- 
bell Tarr. 

Cabell County — Albert Laidly was entered on the roll but did not serve. 

Doddridge County — James A. Poley. 

Gilmer County — Henry H. Withers. 

Hancock County — George M. Porter, John H. Atkinson, William L. 
Crawford. 

Harrison County — John J. Davis, Chapman J. Stewai't, John C. Vance, 
John S. Carlile, Solomon S. Fleming, Lot Bowers, B. P. Shuttleworth. 

Hardy County — John Michael. 



118 THE RE-ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT. 

Hampshire County — James Carskadon, Owen J. Downey, James J. Bar 
racks, G. W. Broski, James H. Trout. 

Jackson County — Daniel Frost, Andrew Plesher, James P. Scott. 

Kanawha County — Lewis Rutt'ner, Greenbury Slack. 

Lewis County — J. A. J. Lightburn, P. M. Hale. 

Monongalia County — Joseph Snyder, Leroy Kramer, R. L. Berkshire, 
William Price, James Evans, D. B. Dorsey. 

Marion County — James O.Watson, Richard Past, Pontain Smith, Pran- 
cis H. Pierpont, John S. Barnes, A. P. Ritchie. 

Marshall County — C. H. Caldwell, Robert Morris, Remembrance Swan. 

Mason County — Lewis Wetzel, Daniel Polsley, C. B. Waggener. 

Ohio County — Andrew Wilson, Thomas H. Logan, Daniel Lamb, James 
W. Paxton, George Harrison, Chester D. Hubbard. 

Pleasants County — James W. Willauison, C. W. Smith. 

Preston County — William Zinn, Charles Hooten, William B. Crane, John 
Howard, Harrison Hagans, John J. Brown. 

Ritchie County — William H. Douglass. 

Randolph County — Samuel Crane. 

Roane County — T. A. Roberts. 

Tucker County — Solomon Parsons. 

Taylor County — L. E. Davidson, John S. Burdette, Samuel B. Todd. 

Tyler County — William I. Boreman, Daniel D. Johnson. 

Upshur County — John Love, John L. Smith, D. D. T. ParnsAvorth. 

Wayne County— William Ratclilf, William Copley, W. W. Brumtickl. 

Wetzel County — James G. West, Reuben Martin, James P. Pencil. 

Wirt County — James A. Williamson, Henry Newman, E. T. Graham. 

Wood County — John W. Moss, Peter G. VanWinkle, Arthur I. Bore- 
man. 

James T. Close and H. S. Martin, of Alexandria, and John Hawxhurst 
and E. E. Mason, of Pairfax, were admitted as delegates, while William P. 
Mercer, of Loudoun, and Jonathan Roberts, of Pairfax, were rejected be- 
cause of the insufticieilcy of their credentials. Arthur I. Boreman was 
elected president of the convention, G. L. Cranmer, secretary, and Thomas 
Hornbrook, sergeant-at-arms. 

On June 13, two days after the meeting of the convention, a committee 
on Order of Business reported a declaral k m 1 )y lln • | mo] ilc of Virginia. This 
document set forth the acts ol the Sect'ssioiiisls oi \'ii>rinia, declared them 
hostile to the welfare of the people, done in vit)lation of the constitution, 
and therefore null and void. It was further declared that all offices in Vir- 
ginia, whether legislative, judicial or executive, under the government set 
up by the convention which passed the Ordinance of Secession, wei-e vacant. 
Thenextday the convention began the work of re-ori,Mni/.iii'j: Hie Stale Gov- 
ernment on the following lines: A Governor, LiciiliMKinl GoMTiiDr and 
Attorney General for the State of Vii'ginia weie to be appointed by 
the convention to hold office until their successors should be elected and 
qualified, and the Legislature was required to provide by law for the elec- 
tion of a Governor and Lieutenant Govei-noi- by the jieojile. A Council of 
State, consisting of tive members, was lo ]»• a|.|i(iinlc(l to assist the Gov- 
ernor, their term of office toexjiireat tin' sanic lime as that ol' t lie ( Jovci-nor. 
Delegates elected to the Legislature on Alay 'S.i, l.^til, ami Senators entitled 
to seats under the laws then existing, and who would take the oath as 
required, were to constitute the re-organized Legislature, and were required 



THE RE-ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT. 119 

to meet in Wheeling on the first day of the following July. A test oath was 
I'equired of all officers, whether State, County or Municipal. 

On June 20 the convention proceeded to choose officers. Praacis H. 
Pierpont was elected Governor of Virginia; Daniel Polsley was elected 
Lieutenant Governor; James Wheat was chosen Attorney General. The 
Governor's council consisted of Daniel Lamb, Peter G. VanWinkle, William 
Lazier, William A. Harrison and J. T. Paxton. The Legislature was re- 
quired to elect an Auditor, Treasurer and Secretary of State as soon as pos- 
sible. This closed the work of the convention, and it adjourned to meet 
August 6. 

A new Government existed for Virginia. The Legislature which was 
to assemble in Wheeling in ten days could complete the work. 

This Legislature of Virginia, consisting of thirty-one members, began 
its labors immediately upon organizing, July 1. A message from Governor 
Pierpont laid before that body the condition of alTairs and indicated certain 
measures which ought to be carried out. On July 9 the Legislature elected 
L. A. Hagans, of Preston County, Secretary of Virginia; Samuel Crane, of 
Randolph County, Auditor; and Campbell Tarr, of Brooke County, Treas- 
urer. Waitman T. Willey and John S. Carlile were elected to the United 
States Senate. 

The convention which had adjourned June 20 met again August 6 and 
took up the work of dividing Virginia, whose government had been re-or- 
ganized and was in working order. The j^eople wanted a new State and 
the machinery for creating it was set in motion. On July 20 an ordinance 
was passed calling for an election to take the sense of the people on the 
question, and to elect members to a constitutional convention at the same 
time. In case the vote favored a new State, the men elected to the consti- 
tutional convention were to meet and frame a constitution. The conven- 
tion adjourned August 2, lb61. Late in October the election was held, 
with the result that the vote stood about twenty-five to one in favor of a 
new State. 



CHAPTER XIV, 



FORMATION OF WEST VIRGINIA, 

The Re-organized Government of Virginia made all things ready for 
the creation of the new commonwealth. The people of Western Virginia 
had waited long for the oiDportunity to divide the State. The tyranny of 
the more powerful eastern part had been borne half a century. When at 
last the war created the occasion, the people were not slow to profit by it, 
and to bring a new State into existence. The work began iii earnest August 
20, 1861, when the second Wheeling Convention called upon the jieople to 
vote on the question; and the labor was completed June 20, 1863, when the 
officers of the new State took charge of affairs. One year and ten months 
were required for the accomplishment of the work; and this cha^jter gives 
an outline of the proceedings relative to the new State during that time. It _ 
was at first proposed to call it Kanawha, but the name was changed in the " 
constitutional convention at Wheeling on Dcfciiibcr :!, Ii-iiil, to West Vir- 
ginia. On February 18, 1862, the consliliilioiial coiixcnliou ;i<lj()urned, .sub- 
ject to the call of the chairman. In Ajuil of thai ycaillic people of the 
State voted upon the ratification of the ccjnstitutioii, and I In- \(ite in favor 
of ratification was 18,862, and against it, 514. Govcrnoi' I'iriiiont issued a 
proclamation announcing the result, and at the same tinn' called an extra 
session of the Virginia Legislature to meet in Wheeling May 0. That body 
met, and six days later passed an act by which it gave its consent to a divi- 
sion of the State of Virginia and the creation of a new State. This was 
done in order that the constitution might be complied with, for, before the 
State could be divided, the Legislature must give its consent. It yet 
remained for West Virginia to be admitted into the Union by an Act of 
Congress and by the President's proclamation. Had there boon no ftpposi- 
tion, and had there not been such press of other business this iuii,'hl have 
been accomplished in a few weeks. As it was there was a Itaig ((nili'st in 
the Senate. The opposition did not come so much 1 luin outside the State 
as from the State itself. John S. Carlile, one of the Senators elected by 
the Legislature of the Re-organized Oovernment of Virginia at Wheeling, 
was supposed to be friendly to the cause of the new State, but when he was 
put to the test it was found that he was strongly opjiosed to il, and he did 
all in his power to defeat the movement, and almost aeeomplislied his pur- 
pose. The indignation in Western Virginia was great. The Legislature, 
in session at Wheeling, on December 12, 1862, by a resolution, requested 
Carlile to resign the seat he held in the Senate. He refused to do so. He 
had been one of the most active advocates of the movement for a new 
State while a member of the first Wheeling Convention, in May, 1861, and 
had been a leader in the new State movement before and after that date. 



FORMATION OF WEST VIRGINIA. 121 

Why he changed, and opposed the admission of West Virginia by Congress 
has never been satisfactorily explained. 

One of the reasons given for his oppasition, and one which he himself 
put forward, was that Congress attempted to amend the State constitution 
on the subject of slavery, and he opposed the admission of the State on 
that ground. He claimed that he would rather have no new State than 
have it saddled with a constitution, a i^ortion of which its people had never 
ratified. But this could not have been the .sole cause of Carlile's opposition. 
He tried to defeat the bill after the proijosed objectionable amendment to 
the constitution had been satisfactorily arranged. He fought it in a deter- 
mined manner till the last. He had hindered the work of getting the bill 
before Congress before any change in the State Constitution had been 
proposed. 

The members in Congress from the Re-organized Government of Vir- 
ginia were William G. Brown, Jacob B. Blair and K. V. Waley; in the Sen- 
ate, John S. Carlile and Waitman T. Willey. In addition to these gentle- 
men, the Legislature appointed as commissioners to bring the matter before 
Congress, Ephraim B. Hall, of Marion County, Peter Van Winkle, of Wood 
County, John Hall, of Mason County, and Elbert H. Caldwell, of Marshall 
County. These commissioners reached Washington May 22, 1H62. There 
were several other well-known West Virginians who also went to Washing- 
ton on their own account to assist in secui'ing the new State. Among 
them were Daniel Polsley, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia; Granville 
Parker and Harrison Hagans. There were members of Congress and Sen- 
ators from other States who performed special service in the cause. The 
matter was laid before the United States Senate May 29, 1862, by Senator 
Willey, who presented the West Virginia Constitution recently ratified, and 
also the Act of the Legislature giving its consent to the creation of a new 
State within the jurisdiction of Virginia, and a memorial requesting the 
admission of the State. In presenting these documents. Senator Willey 
addressed the Senate and denied that the movement was simply to gratify 
revenge upon the mother State for seceding from the Union and joining 
the Southern Confederacy, but on the contrary, the people west of the AUe- 
ghanies had long wanted a new State, and had long sulfered in consequence 
of Virginia's neglect, and of her unconcern for their welfare. Mr. Willey's 
address was favorably received, and the whole matter regarding the admis- 
sion of West Virginia was laid before the Committee on Territories, of 
which Senator John S. Carlile was a member. It had not at that time been 
suspected that Carlile was hostile to the movement. He was expected to 
prepare the bill. He neglected to do so until nearly a month had passed 
and the session of Congress was drawing to a close. But it was not so 
much the delay that showed his hostility as the form of the bill. Had it 
been passed by Congress in the form proposed by Carlile the defeat of the 
new State measure must have been inevitable. No one acquainted with the 
circumstances and conditions had any doubt that the bill was prepared for 
the express purpose of defeating the wishes of the people by whom Mr. 
Carlile had been sent to the Senate. It included in West Virginia, in addi- 
tion to the counties which had ratified the constitution, Alleghany, Augusta, 
Berkeley, Bath, Botetourt, Craig, Clark, Frederick, Highland, Jefferson, 
Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren Counties. The 
hostility in most of those counties was very great. The bill provided that 
those counties, in conjunction with those west of the Alleghanies, should 



122 FORMATION OF WEST VIRGINIA. 

elect delegates to a constitutional convention and frame a constitution 
which should provide that all children born of slaves after 1863 should be 
free. This constitution was then to go back to the people of the several 
counties for ratification. Then, if the Virginia Legislature should pass an 
Act giving its consent to the creation of a now State from Virginia's terri- 
tory, and the Governor of Virginia certify the same to the President of the 
United States, he might make proclamation of the fact, and West Virginia 
would become a State without further prot^i'^dings by Congress. 

Senator Carlile knew that the counties he had added east of the Alle- 
ghanies were ojjposed to the new State on any terms, and that they would 
opjjose it the more determinedly on account of the gradual emancipation 
clause in it. He knew that they would not appoint delegates to a constitu- 
tional convention, nor would they ratify the constitution should one be sub- 
mitted to them. In short, they were strong enough in votes and sentiment 
to defeat the movement for a new State. All the work done for the crea- 
tion of West Virginia would have been thrown away had this bill prevailed. 

Three days later, June 26, the bill was called up, and Charles Sumner 
proposed an amendment regai'ding slavery. He would have no slavery at 
all. All indications were that the bill would defeat the measure for the new 
State, and preparations were made to bi>gin the fight in a new quarter. 
Congressman Wm. G. Brown, of I'l-.'slon C'ounty, projiosed a new bill to be 
presented in the House of Repi(S(iil;ili\ is. But the contest went on. In 
July Senator Willey submitted an ainiiKliin'nt, which was really a new bill. 
It omitted the counties east of the Allci-Hianics, and provided that all slaves 
under twenty-one years of age on July I, I Mi:;, should be free on arriving 
at that age. It now became ai)])aj'ent to ( 'aililc tliat his bill was dead, and 
that West Virerinia was likely to be admitted. As a last resort, he proposed 
a postponement till December, in order to gain time, but his motion was 
lost. Carlile then opposed the bill on the grounds that if passed it would 
impose ujjon the jjeople of the iirw State a clause of the constitution not of 
their making and which they had not ralitied. But this argument was de- 
prived of .its force by offering to siihniil tlio jirojiosed amendment to the 
people of West Virginia for iJicir apinovai. Fort unat(>ly the constitutional 
convention had adjourned suljjcct to tlu' (mII <if tlic cliuir. The members 
were convened; they included tlio anicndincnf in tin' constitution, and the 
people apiH'oved it. However, before this was done the bill took its coui'se 
through Congress. It passed the Senate July 14, 1^62, and was immedi- 
ately sent to the Lower House. But Congress being about to adjourn, 
further considei'ation of the bill went over till the next session in Decem- 
ber, 1862, and on the tenth of that month it was taken up in the House of 
Representatives and after a discussion continuing most of the day, it was 
passed by a vote of ninety-six to fifty- five. 

The friends of the new State now felt that their efforts had been suc- 
cessful; but one more step was necessary, and the whole work might yet 
be rendered null and void. It depended (m President Lincoln. He might 
veto the bill. He requested the opinion of his cabinet. Six of the cabinet 
ofiicei's complied, and three favored signing the bill and three advised the 
President to veto it. Mr. Lincoln took it under advisement. It was be- 
lieved that he favored the bill, but there was much anxiety felt. Nearly 
two years befoi'e that time Mr. Lincoln, through one of his cabinet officers, 
had promised Governor Pierpont to do all he could, in a constitutional way, 
for the Re-organized Government of Virginia, and that promise was con- 



FORMATION OP WEST VIRGINIA. 123 

strued to mean that the new State would not be opposed by the President. 
Mr. Lincohi was evidently undecided for some time what course to pursue, 
for he afterwards said that a telegram received by him from A. W. Camp- 
bell, editor of the Wheeling Intdliyevcer, largely influenced him in deciding 
to sign the bill. On December 31, 1862, Congi-essman Jacob B. Blair called 
on the President to see if any action had been taken by the Executive. The 
bill had not yet been signed, but Mr. Lincoln asked Mr. Blair to come back 
the next day. Mr. Blair did so, and was given the bill admitting West Vir- 
ginia into the Union. It was signed January 1, 1863. 

On December 31, 1862, President Lincoln gave his own views on these 
questions in the following language:* 

" The consent of the Legislature of Virginia is constitutionally necessary to the Bill 
for the Admission of West Virginia becoming a law. A body claiming to be such Legis- 
lature has given its consent. We cannot well deny that it is such, unless we do so upon 
the outside knowledge th:it (lie Imd.v \\;is ilmscn at elections in which a majority of the 
qualified voters of Virginia did nut pari icipate. But it is a universal practice in the 
popular elections in all tlicsr Slates \u ^\\i- n<i legal consideration whatever to those who 
do not choose to vote, as against tlie elVect of those whf) do choose to vote. Hence it is 
not the qualilied voters, but the qualified voters who clincise to vole, that (Muist it iite tlie 
political power of the State. Much less than to n<in-viiteis slicmld any cunsideiation be 
given to those who did not vote in this case, because it is also matter of outside knowl- 
edge that tliey were not merely neglectful of tlieir rights under and duty to this(iovern- 
ment, but were also engaged in open rehelliou against it. |)(Jiditless among these non- 
voters were some t^ni(iii men w liose voices were smot lieicd li\' the more numerous Seces- 
sionists, but we know too little ot their uundjer to assii^rj \\\i-u\ aiiv appreciable value. 

•'Can this Government stand it it indidges const it ul ional (•oustructi(ins by which 
men in open rebellion against it .ire to \>v accoiuited. man for man, llie equals of tlio.se 
who maintain their loyalty to it ? ,\re tliey to he acc(imited even liettcr citizens, and 
more worthy of consideration, than those who merely neglect t<i vote y I f so. theirtre;ison 
against the Constitution I'ldianccs their constitutional \alue. Witliout hraving these 
absurd conclusions we cannot den\ that tlie lioih- which consi'uts to the admission of 
West Virginia is the Lcgislat uri' ot \irginia. I do not think the plural form of tlie 
words ' Li'gislatuivs ', and 'States' iii the phrase of tli<' constitution ■without the con- 
sent of the Legislatures of the States concerned ' has anv r.derence to the new State 
concerned. That plural form siirang from t he conti'm|ilatiou ot two or mi >re old States 
c<)ntrihut ing to form a new one. 1'he idea that the new State was in danger of being 
admitted without its own con.sent was not provided against, because it was not thought 
of, as I conceive. It is .said 'the Devil takes care of his own.' Much more should a good 
spirit the spirit of the Constitution and the Union — take care of its own. 1 think it 
cannot do less and live. 

"But is the admission of West Virginia into the Union expedient? This, in my 
general view, is more a ipiestion for Congress than for the Executive. Still I do not 
evade it. More than on anything else, it depends on whether tlie admission or rejection 
of the new State would, under all the circumstances, tend the more stroiiglv to tlie 
restoration of the Nati.mal ant horitv throughout the Union. That which helps most in 
this direction is the most expi'dient at this time. Doubtless tho.se in remaijiing Vir- 
ginia would rci urn to I he t'nion, so to speak, less reluctantly without the division of the 
old St.ili' than with it, hut- 1 think we could not savi- as much in this quarter by reject- 
ing t he new Slate as we should lose liy it in West \iiginia. We can scarcely dispense 
with the .lid oi \Vest N'irginia in this stiaiggle: much less can we afford to have her 

against us, in ( 'oiigicss and in the tield. Her hrave and g I men regard her admission 

into the linion as a matter of life and death, 'f'hey have been true to the Union under 
very severe trials. We liave so acted as to justify their hopes, and we cannot fully retain 
their conlideuce and co-ojierat ion if we seem to lireak faith with thi'm. In fact they 
could hot do so much fur us if tliey would. Agiiin, the adiuLssiun of the new State turns 
that much slave .soil to free, and this is a certain and irrevocable encroachment upon 
the cause of the rebellion. The division of a State is dreaded as a precedent. But a 
measure made expedient by a war is no precedent in times of peace. It is said that the 
admission of West Virginia is secession. Well, if we call it by that name, there is still 

* See " Worlcs of Abraham Lincoln," by Johu Nicolay and John Hay, vol. 3, p. 285. 



124 FORMATION OP WEST VIRCHNIA. 

difference enough between secession against the constitution and secession in favor of 
the constitution. I believe the admission of West Virginia into the Union is expedient. " 

However, there was yet something to be done before West Virginia 
became a State. The bill passed by Congi-ess and signed by President 
Lincoln went no further than to provide that the new State should become 
a member of the Union when a clause coiiccrning slavery, contained in the 
bill, should be made a part of the constiluMon and he ratified by the peoiile. 
The convention which had framed the State Constitution had adjourned to 
meet at the call of the chairman. The memljers came together on Febru- 
ary 12, 1863. Two days later John S. Carlile, who had refused to resign 
his seat in the Senate when asked by the Virginia Legislature to do so, 
made another effort to defeat the will of the j^eople whom he was sent to 
Congress to represent. He presented a supplementary bill in the Senate 
providing that President Lincoln's proclamation admitting West Virginia 
be withheld until certain counties of West Virginia had ratified by their 
votes the clause regarding slavery contained in the bill. Mr. Carlile be- 
lieved that those counties would not ratify the constitution. But his bill 
was defeated in the Senate by a vote of 2b to 12. 

The clause concerning slavery, as adopted by the constitutional con- 
vention on re-assembling at Wheeling, was in these words: "The children 
of slaves, born within the limits of this State after the fourth day of July, 
1863, shall be free, and all slaves within the said State who shall, at the 
time aforesaid, be under the age of ten years, shall be free when they arrive 
at the age of twenty-one years; and all slaves over ten and under twenty- 
one years shall be free when they arrive at the age of twenty-five years; 
and no slave shall be permitted to come into the State for permanent resi- 
dence therein. " The people ratified the constitution at an election held for 
that purpose. The majority in favor of ratification was seventeen 
thousand. 

President Lincoln issued his proclamation April 20, 1863, and sixty 
days thereafter, that is June 20, 1863, West Virginia was to become a State 
without further legislation. In the meantime. May 9, a State Convention 
assembled in Parkersburg to nominate officers. A Confederate force under 
Geuei-al Jones advanced within forty miles of Parkersburg, and the con- 
vention hurried through with its labors and adjourned. It nominated 
Arthur I. Boreman, of Wood County, for Governor; Campbell Tarr, of 
Brooke County, for Treasurer; Samuel Crane, of Randolph County, for 
Auditor; Edgar J. Boyers, of Tyler County, for Secretary of State; A. B. 
Caldwell, of Ohio County, Attorney General; for Judges of the Supreme 
Court of Appeals, Ralph L. Berkshire, of Monongalia County; Janies H. 
Brown, of Kanawha County, and William A. Harrison, of Harrison County. 
These were all elected late in the month of May, and on June 20, 1863, took 
the oath of office and West Virginia was a State. Thus was fulfilled the 
prophecy of Daniel Webster in 1851 when he said that if Vii-ginia took sides 
with a secession movement, the result would be the formation of a new State 
from Virginia's Transalleghany territory. 

The creation of the new State of West Virginia did not put an end to 
the Reorganized Government of Virginia. The otficers who had held their 
seat of government at Wheeling moved to Alexandria, and in 1865 moved 
to Richmond, where they held office until their successors were elected. 
Governor Pierpont filled the gubernatorial chair of Virginia about seven 
years. 



FORMATION OP WEST VIRGINIA. 125 

In the summer of 1864 General Benjamin F. Butler, in command of 
Union forces in eastern Virginia, wrote to President Lincoln, complaining 
of the conduct of Governor Pierpont and the Secretary of State, intimating 
that they were not showing sufficient devotion to the Union cause. On 
August 9, 1864, Lhicohi replied, and in the following language put a squelch 
on General Butler's iiu'ddling; 



"I surely need [Kit Ioiissiht you 
iwtrioti.sm, and I iiiiisl icll von tlial I 
pont and the Altonirv (Jnicnil. 'I'lir 
Kinia. iiieludiiiu Uiat wliii-h il now \V 
and in all oilier proper nialtiTS was: 
means as any other loyal (iovernor. * 
known to be relieved from all question 
cau.se."* 


th: 

• In 
est 
IS 1 

as 


It 1 have no doubt of your loyalty and devoted 
ive no less eonlidenee in those of Governor Pier- 

iiMMr :il lirsl as the loyal (iovernor of all Vir- 

\'irL;iiii:i, III nryaiij/.iii^r ;i,|(| furnishitit; 1 rooiis, 

■aiiH'sl. hoiirsl and rllich'nt to Ihei'Xteiit of his 

■ Till' Attorney fietieral needs only t(i be 

to loyalty and thorough devotion to the national 



' Worlis of Lincoln, vol. 3, p. 



CHAPTER XV, 



ORGANIZING FOR WAR, 

In a work ol' this sort it should not be expected that a full account of 
the Civil War, as it affected West Virginia, will be given. It must suffice 
to present only an outline of events as they occurred in that great struggle, 
nor is any iiretence made that this outline shall be comi^lete. The vote on 
the Ordinance of Secession showed that a large majority of the people in 
this State were opjiosed to a separation from the United States. This vote, 
while it could not have been much of a surprise to the jwliticians in the 
eastern part of Virginia, was a disapixiiiitincnt. It did not jjrevent Vir- 
ginia, as a State, from joining the Soullici'u Confederacy, but the result 
made it plain that Virginia was divided against itself, and that all the part 
west of tht' Allcgliany Mountains, and much of that west of the Blue Ridge, 
would not lake up arms against the general government in furtherance of 
the intcicsts of the Southern Confederacy. 

It therefore became necessary for Virginia, backed by the other South- 
ern States, to conquer its own transmontane territory. The commencement 
of the war in what is now West Vii"ginia was due to an invasion by troops 
in the service of the Southern Confederacy in an effort to hold the territory 
as a part of Virginia. It should not be understood, however, that there 
was no .sympathy with the South in this State. As nearly as can be esti- 
mated the number who took sides with the South, in jiroportion to those 
who upheld the Union, was as one to six. The people generally were left 
to choose. Efforts were made at the same time to raise soldiers for the 
South and for the North, and those who did not want to go one way were 
at liberty to go the other. In the eastern jiart of the State considerable 
success was met in enlisting volunteers for the Confederacy, but in the 
western counties there were hardly any wlm went wit)h the South. That 
the government at Richmond felt the ilisa|i]>iiiiittiient keenly is evidenced 
by the efforts put forth to organize coniiianics of volunteers, and the dis- 
couraging reports of the iccniiliiii: ottiicrs. 

Robert E. Lee was a]i|Hiiiiti'(l coiimiaiider-in-chief of the military and 
naval forces of Virginia, /Vpiil -'■'<. I>i(il, and on the same day he wrote to 
Governor Lclclici- accepting the oftice. Six days later he wrote Major A. 
Loring, at Wlll'l■litl^,^ urging him to muster into the service of the State all 
the volunti'i'r coiiipauit's in that vicinity, and to take command of them. 
Loring was asKcd 1o report what success al tended his efforts. On the same 
day Lieutenant Colonel John McCauslaiid, al ivichuiond, received orders 
from (Jeneral Lee to proceed at once to the K'anawha Valley and muster 
into service the volunteer comiKinies in that quarter. General Lee named four 
companies already formed, two in Kanawha and two in Putnam Counties, 



ORGANIZING FOR WAR. 127 

and he expressed the belief that others would offer their services. McCaus- 
land was instructed to organize a company of artillery in the Kanawha Val- 
ley. On the next day, Ajiril 30, General Lee wrote to Major Boykin, at 
Weston, in Lewis County, ordering liim to muster in the volunteer com- 
panies in that part of the State, and to ascertain how many volunteers could 
be raised in the vicinity of Parkersburg. General Lee stated in the letter 
that he had sent two hundred ilint-lock muskets to Colonel Jackson (>Stone- 
wall) at Harper's Perry, for tlie use of the volunteers about Weston. He 
said no better guns could be had at that time. The next day, May 1, Gov 
ernor Letcher announced that arrangements had been made for calling out 
fifty thousand Virginia volunteers, to assemble at Norfollv, Richmond, Alex- 
andria, Fredericksburg, Harper's Ferry, Ciiifldii, Parkersburg, Kanawha 
and Moundsville. On May 4 General Lci' > mi Icni I Colonel George A Por- 
tei'tield toGrafton to take chai-ge of thetro-n)-; in iIulI quarter, those ah'eady 
in service and those who were expected to volunteer. Colonel Porterfield 
was oi-dered, by authority ol' tlie Governor of Virginia, to call out the vol- 
unteers in the countii's of Wood, Wirt, Roane, Calhoun, Gilmer, Ritchie, 
Pleasants and Doddridge, to rendezvous al I'liilciMsljufg; and in the coun- 
ties Ol IJraxton, Lewis, Harrison, Monon;_';tlia, 'i'nyior, Harbour, Ujoshur, 
Tucker, jMacion, Kandol])!) and Preston, to j'cir.l('/,\ mis ut Cirafton. General 
Lee said he did not Iviiow iiow iniinv iih'U could he mli^-li d, l)ut he supposed 
five reginii'iils roul<l he iiiiishMcd into scrxiiM' in tliat |>,ii-l ot the State. 

In thesi' orders sriil out (J.'u^tuI L<'i' c.xpi-css.'d a (Irsiri" to 1)6 kept in- 
formed of the success attemling the call for volunteers. Replies .soon be- 
gan to arrive at Richmond, atitl they were uniformly discouraging to Gen- 
eral Lee. It was early ai)parent that the people of Western Virginia were 
not entliusia'^lii- in 1a\in.v'-u}) arms for the Soutlicni ( 'onfcderacy. Major 
Boykin wrol' ( iiMii'ial l.i'o tluitthe call for voluiitvci,-, was not meeting with 
success. To this iritiM- ( ;cneral Lee re])lied on May II, and urged Major 
Boykin to piMscNcrc and call out tlic (■oni])anii's for such ciiunties as were 
not so hostile lo ilic South, and to eonciMilrafc Uiciu al (Irafton. He stated 
that four hundred I'illes had been foi'wai'dcd IVoin Staunton to Beverly, in 
Randolph County, where Major Gofl' would receive and hold them until 
further oi'ders. Major Boykin requested that companies from other parts 
of the State be sent to Grafton to take the places of companies which had 
been counted upon to oiijani/.c in that vicinity, but which had failed to ma- 
terialize. To this suggest ion ( Mncial Lee replied that he did not consider 
it advisable to do so, as tlu' incscncc of outside companies at Graf ton would 
tend to irritate the |)im)|.Ic instead ot conciliating tli<>in. 

On May ItJ Colonel I'oiteilield had arii\-ed at C i 'a f ton and had taken a 
hasty survey of the situation, and his conclusion was tliat the cause of the 
Southern Confedei-acy in lliat \iciintv was not i)i-oniising. ( »n tluit day he 
made a report to \l. S. Caiaietl. at 1,'icliniond, Adjutant ( leneral of the Vir- 
ginia army, and stated that the rilles oi-dered to i;ev(.'rly from Staunton had 
not arrived, nor had they been heard from. It appears frt>m this report 
that no volunteers had yet assembled at Grafton, but Colonel Porterfield 
said a company was organizing at Pruntytown, in Taylor County; one at 
Weston, under Captain Boggess; one at i'hiiiinii, another at Chirksburg, 
and still another at Fairmont. Only two (d Ihi'se coniiiani<'s had guns, flint- 
locks, and no ammunition. At that time all of those companies had been 
ordered to Grafton. Colonel Porterfield said, ifl a tone of discouragement, 
that those troops, almost destitute of guns and ammunition, were all he had 



128 ORGANIZING FOR WAR. 

to depend upon, and he considered the force very weak compared with the 
strength of those in that vicinity who were prepared to oppose him. He 
complained that lie had found much diversity of opinion and "rebellion" 
among the people, who did not believe that the State was strong enough to 
contend against the Government. " I am, too, credibly informed," said he, 
"to entertain doubt that they have been and will be supplied with the 
means of resistance. * * * * Their efforts to intimidate have had their 
effect, both to dishearten one party and to encourage the other. Many good 
citizens have been dispirited, while traitors have seized the guns and am- 
munition of the State to be used against its authority. The force in this 
section will need the best rifles. * * * * There will not be the same use 
for the bayonet in these hills as elsewhere, and the movements should be 
of light infantry and rifle, although the bayonet, of course, would be 
desirable. " 

About this time, that is near the middle of May, 1861, General Lee 
ordered one thousand muskets sent to Beverly for the use of the volunteer 
companies organizing to the northward of that place. Colonel Heck was 
sent in charge of the guns, and General Lee instructed him to call out all 
the volunteers possible along the route from Staunton to Beverly. If the 
authorities at Richmond had learned by the middle of May that Western 
Virginia was not to be depended upon for tilling with volunteers the ranks 
of the Southern armies, the truth was still more apparent six weeks later. 
By that time General Garnett had crossed the AUeghanies in person, and 
had brought a large force of Confederate troops with him and was en- 
trenched at Laurel Hill and Rich Mountain, in Randolph County. It had 
been claimed that volunteers had not joined tlie Confederate standard be- 
cause they were afraid to do so in the face of IIh- strongtu- Union companies 
organizing in the vicinity, but that if a Confcilciiilc miiiy were in the coun- 
try to overawe the advocates of the Union cuusc then large numbers of 
recruits would organize to help the South. Thus (iann'tt iiiiirched over the 
AUeghanies and called for volunteei"s. The result was diM'jiIy mortifying 
to him as well as discouraging to the authorities at Uirhnioiid. On June 
25, 1861, he wrote to General Lee, dating his letter at Laurel Hill. He 
complained that he could not find out what the movements of the Union 
forces were likely to be, and added that the Union men in that vicinity were 
much more active, numerous and zealous than the secessionists. He said 
it was like carrying on a campaign in a foreign country, as the people were 
nearly all against him, and never missed an opportunity to divulge his 
movements toMcCldlan. but would give him no inloi inationof whatMcClel- 
1 an was doing. " My hdjic," he wrote to Lee, "of inci-easing my force in 
this regicjn has so iar lieen sailly (lisa.pi)()inteil. Only eight men have Joined 
me here, and only tilteen at Coldiiel Heck's camp — not enough to make up 
my losses liy ilisehaiges. The jieoplo are thoroughly imbued with an igno- 
rant anil l)i.L,'ole(l Union sentiment." 

ir moi'e time was required toast ■<M'ta.iti the sentiment in the Ivanawha Val- 
ley than had l)een necessary in the northern and eastern part of tlu' State, it 
was nevei-theless .seen in due time that the Soiit hern Con fedei-acy'ssuiiporters 
ers in that quarter were inahopidess minority, (ieneral Ih'nry A. Wise, ex 
Governor of Virginia, had been sent into the Kanawha X'alley early in 1861 
to organize such forces as could lie mustered for the Southern army. He 
was one of the most fiery leaders in the Southern Confederacy, and an able 
man, and of great influence. He had, perhaps, done more than any other 



ORGANIZING FOR WAR. 129 

man in Virginia to swing that Sjate into the Southern Confederacy. He it 
was who, when the Ordinance of Secession was in the balance in the Rich- 
mond Convention, rose in the convention, drew a hoi-se-pistol from his 
bosom, placed it upon the desk before him, and proceeded to make one of 
the most impassioned speeches heard in that tumultuous convention. The 
effect of his speech was tremendous, and Virginia wheeled into line with 
the other Confederate States. General Wise hurried to the field, and was 
soon in the thick of the fight in the Kanawha Valley. He failed to organize 
an army there, and in bis disappointment and anger he wrote to General 
Lee, August 1, 1861, saying: "The Kanawha Valley is wholly disaffected 
and traitorous. It was gone from Charleston to Point Pleasant before I 
got there. Boone and Cabell are nearly as bad, and the state of things in 
Braxton, Nicholas and part of Greenbrier is awful. The militia are nothing 
for wai'like uses here. They arc worthless who are true, and there is no 
telling who is true. You cannot persuade these people that Virginia can 
or will reconquer the northwest, and they are submitting, subdued and de- 
based. " General Wise made an ui-gent request for more guns, ammunition 
and clothing. 

While the Confederates were doing their utmost to organize and equip 
forces in Western Virginia, and were meeting discouragements and failure 
nearly everywhere, the people who upheld the Union were also at work, 
and success was the rule and failure almost unknown. As soon as the fact 
was realized that Virginia had joined the Southern Confederacy; had seized 
upon the government arsenals and other property within the State, and 
had commenced war upon the government, and was preparing to continue 
the hostilities, the people of Western Virginia, who had long suffered from 
the injustice and oppression of the eastern part of the State, began to pre- 
pare for war. They did not long halt between two opinions, but at once 
espoused the cause of the United States. Companies were organized every- 
where. The spirit with which the cause of the Union was upheld was one 
of the most discouraging features of the situation, as viewed by the Con- 
federates who were vainly trying to raise troops in this part of the State. 
The people in the Kanawha Valley who told General Wise that they did 
not believe Virginia could re conquer Western Virginia had reasons for their 
conclusions. The people along the Ohio, the Kanawha, the Monongahela; 
in the interior, among the mountains, were everywhere drilling and arming. 

There was some delay and disappointment in securing arms for the 
Union troops as they were organized in West Virginia. Early in the war, 
while there was yet hope entertained by some that the trouble could be ad- 
justed without much lighting, there was hesitation on the i^art of the Gov- 
ernment about sending guns into Virginia to arm one class of the people. 
Consequently some of the first arms received in Western Virginia did not 
come directly from the Government arsenals, but were sent from Massa- 
chusetts. As early as May 7, 1861, a shipment of two thousand stands of 
arms was made from the Watervleit arsenal. New York, to the northern 
Panhandle of West Virginia, above Wheeling. These guns armed some of 
the first soldiers from West Virginia that took the field. An effort had been 
made to obtain arms from Pittsburg, but it was unsuccessful. Campbell 
Tarr, of Brooke County, and others, went to Washington as a committee, 
and it was through their efforts that the guns were obtained. The govern- 
ment officials were very cautious at that time lest they should do something 
without express warranty in law. But Edwin M. Stanton advised that the 



130 ORGANIZING FOR WAR. 

guns be sent, promising that he would find the law for it afterwards. Gov- 
ernor Pierjiont bad written to President Lincoln for help, and the ri-ply 
' had been that all help that could be given under the constitution would be 
furnished. 

The Civil War opened in West Virginia by a conflict between the Con- 
federate forces in the State and the Federal forces sent against them. The 
first Union troops to advance came from Wheeling and beyond the Ohio 
River. Colonel Benjamin F. Kelley organized a force at Wheeling, and was 
instructed to obey orders from General McClellan, then at Cincinnati. 

The first order from McClellan to Kelley was that he should fortify the 
hills about Wheeling. This was on May 26, 1861. This ajjpears to have 
been thought necessary as a precaution against an advance on the part of 
the Confederates, but McClellan did not know how weak they were in West 
Vii'ginia at that time. Colonel Porterfield could not get together men and 
ammunition enough to encourage him to hold Grafton, much less to advance 
to the Ohio River. It is true that on the day that Virginia passed the Ordi- 
nance of Secession Governor Letcher made an effort to hold Wheeling, but 
it signally failed. He wrote to Mayor Sweeney, of that city, to seize the 
postoflice, the custom house, and all government property in that city, hold 
them in the name of the State of Virginia. Mayor Sweeney replied: "I 
have seized upon the custom house, the postoffice and all public buildings 
and documents, in the name of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United 
States, whose i):oin":'ly tli.'V are." 

Colonel K'cllcy, when In- i-cceived the order to fortify the hills about 
Wheeling, rciilirl tlnit he did not believe such a stejj was necessary, but 
that the projjer thing to do was to advance in Grafton and drivf the Con- 
federates out of the country. McCli'llan a<ri'iitod the suggestion, and 
ordered Kelley to move to Grafton witli tln' ftn-ci' undei- his orders. These 
troops had enlisted at Wheeling and had been drilled for service. They 
were armed with guns sent from Massachusetts. They carried their am- 
munition in their pockets, as they bad not yet been fully equipiied with the 
accoutrements of v.'ar. They were full of enthusiasm, and were much grat- 
ified when the orders came for an advance. The agent of the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroad at Wheeling refused to furnish cars for the troops, giving 
as his reason that the railroad would remain neutral. Colonel Kelley an- 
nounced that if the cars were not ready by four o'clock next morning he 
would seize them by force, and take military possession of the railroad. 
The cars were ready at four the next morning.* While Kelley 's troops 
were setting out from Wheeling an indei^endent movement was in jarogress 
at Morgantown to drive the Confederates out of Grafton. A number of 
companies !iad been organized on the Monongahela, and they assembled at 
Morgantown, whei'e they were joined by three companies from Pennsyl- 
vania, and were about to set out for Grafton on their own responsibility, 
when they Icai-iird tliaf ('(ihnicl K'i'llcy had already advanced from Wheel- 
ing, and that t he ('.iiilcdci'ati's had relreiited. Colonel Poi'tei-tield h-arued 
of the adva-nee I mm Wdieeliug and saw that he would be attaclced before his 
looked- foi' reiiilorcemeuts and arms could arrive. The poorly -equipi)ed 
force under his command were unable to succes.sfully resist an attack, and 
he prepai-ed to reti'eat southward. He oi'dered two railroad bridges burned, 

* •• Loyal West Virginia." by T. F. Liiug. 



ORGANIZING FOR WAR. 131 

between Fairmont and Mannington, hoping thereby to delay the arrival of 
the Wheeling troops. 

At daybreak on May 27 Colonel Kelley's troops left Wheeling on board 
the cars for Grafton. When they reached Mannington they stopjjed long 
enough to rebuild the burnt bridges, which delayed them only a short time. 
While there Kelley received a telegram from McClellan informing him that 
ti'oops from Ohio and Indiana were on their way to his assistance. When 
the Wheeling troops reached Grafton the town had been deserted by the 
Confederates, who had retreated to Philippi, about twenty-five miles south 
of Grafton. Colonel Kelley at once planned pursuit. On June 1 a consid- 
erable number of soldiers from Ohio and Indiana had arrived. Colonel R. 
H. Milroy, Colonel Irvine and General Thomas A. Mori'is were in command 
of the troops from beyond the Ohio. They were the van of General McClel- 
lan's advance into West Virginia. When General Morris arrived at Grafton 
he assumed command of all the forces in that vicinity. Colonel Kelley's 
l)lan of pursuit of Colonel Porterfleld was laid before General Morris and 
was approved by him, and preparations were immediately commenced for 
carrying it into execution. It appears that Colonel Porterfleld did not ex- 
jject pursuit. He had established his camp at Philippi and was waiting for 
reinforcements and supplies, which failed to arrive. Since assuming com- 
mand of the Confederate forces in West Virginia he had met one diappoint- 
ment after another. His force at Philipiii was stated at the time to number 
two thousand, but it was little more than half so large. General Morris 
and Colonel Kelley prepared to attack him with three thousand men, ad- 
vancing at night by two routes to fall upon him by surprise. 

Colonel Kelley was to march about six miles east from Grafton on the 
morning of June 2, and from that jioint march across the mountains during 
the afternoon and night, and so regulate his movements as to reach Philippi 
at four o'clock the next morning. Colonel Dumont, who had charge of the 
other column, was ordered to repair to Webster, a small town on the Pai'k- 
ersburg branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, four miles west from 
Grafton, and to march from that point toward Philippi, to appear before 
the town exactly at four o'clock on the morning of June 3. Colonel Kelley's 
task was the more difficult, for he followed roads that were very poor. Gen- 
eral Morris suspected that spies in and about Grafton would discover the 
movement and would carry the news to Colonel Porterfleld at Philippi, and 
that he would hurriedly i-etreat, either toward Beverly or eastward to St. 
George, on Cheat River. Colonel Kelley was therefore ordered, in case he 
received positive intelligence that Porterfleld had retreated eastward, to 
follow as fast as possible and endeavor to intercept him; at the same time 
he was to notify Colonel Dumont of the retreat and of the movement to in- 
tercept the Confederates. 

Colonel Kelley left Grafton in the early morning. It was generally 
supposed he was on his way to Harper's Ferry. Colonel Dumont's column 
left Grafton after dark on the evening of June 2. The march that night 
was through rain and in pitch darkness. This delayed Dumont's division, 
and it seemed that it would not be able to reach Philippi by the appointed 
time, but the men marched the last five miles in an hour and a quarter, and 
so well was everything managed that Kelley's and Dumont's forces arrived 
before Philipjii within fifteen minutes of each other. The Confederates had 
not learned of the advance and were ofE their guard. The pickets flred a 
few shots and fled. The Union artillery opened on the camp and the utmost 



132 ORGANIZING FOR WAR. 

confusion prevailed. Colonel Porterfield ordered a retreat, and succeeded 
in saving the most of his men, but lost a considerable jwrtion of the small 
supply of arms he had. He abandoned his camp and stores. This action 
was called the "Philip]ii Races," because of the haste with which the Con- 
federates Hod and the Union forces pursued. Colonel Kelley, while leading 
the pursuit, was shot through the breast and was supposed to be mortally 
wounded, but he subsequently recovered and took an active part in the war 
until its close. 

General McClellan, who had not yet crossed the Ohio, was much 
encouraged by this victory, small as it apjiears in comparison with the mo- 
mentous events later in the war. The Union people of West Virginia were 
also much encouraged, and the Confederates were correspondingly 
depressed. 

Colonel Portei'field's cuji of disappointment was full when, five days 
after his retreat from Philii^pi, he learned that he had been sniicrsoded by 
General Robert S. Garnett, who was on his way from RicluiKnul to assume 
command of the Confederate forces in West Virginia. Colonel Porterfield 
had retreated to Huttonsville, in Randolph County, above Beverly, and 
there turned his command over to his successor. A court of inquiry was 
held to examine Colonel Porterfield's conduct. He was censured by the 
Richmond jjeople who had sent him into West Virginia, had neglected him, 
had failed to supply him with arms or the adciiuate means of defense, and 
when he suffered defeat, they threw the l)laine on him when the most of it 
belonged to thciiischcs. Little more than one month elapsed from that 
time before the Confeileiate authorities had occasion to understand more 
fully the situation beyond the Alle^-ha-uies: and the general who took Colo- 
nel Porterflelds place, with seven or eight times his force of men and arms, 
conducted a far more disastrous retreat, and was killed while bringing off 
his broken troops from a lost battle. 

Previous to General McClellan's coming into West Virginia he issued a 
proclamation to the i^eople, in which he stated the purpose of his coming, 
and why troops were about to be sent across the Ohio river. This procla- 
mation was written in Cincinnati, May 26, 1861, and sent by telegraph to 
Wheeling and Parkersburg, there to be printed and circulated. The peojile 
were told that the army was about to cross the Ohio as friends to all who 
were loyal to the Government of the United Stati's: to prevent the destruc- 
tion of property by the rebels; to preseiNi' Older, to eoii))i'rate with loyal 
Virginians in their efforts to free the State from the Confederates, and to 
punish all attempts at insurrection among slaves, should they rise against 
their masters. This last statement was no doubt meant to allay the fears of 
many that as soon as a Union army was upon the .soil there would be a 
slave insurrection, which, of all things, was most dreaded by those who 
lived among slaves. On the same day General McClellan issued an address 
to his soldiers, informing them that they were about to cross the Ohio, and 
acquainting them with the duties to be performed. He told them they were 
to act in concert with the loyal Virginians in putting down the i-ebellion. 
He enjoined the sti-ictest discipline and warned them against interfering 
with the rights or i>roperty of the loyal Virginians. He called on them to 
show mercy to those ca pill ri'd in arms, for many of them were misguided. 
He stated that, when the Coni'Mleratcs hail been driven from northwestern 
Viz-ginia, the loyal people of that part of the State would be able to organize 
and arm, and would be competent to take care of themselves, and then the 



ORGANIZING FOR WAR. 133 

services of the troops from Ohio and Indiana would be no longer needed, 
and they could return to their homes. He little understood what the ne#t 
four years would bring forth. 

Three weeks had not elapsed after Colonel Porterfield retreated from 
Philiiipi before General McClellan saw that something more was necessary 
before Western Virginia would be pacified. The Confederates had been 
largely reinforced at Huttonsville, and had advanced northward within 
twelve miles of Philippi and had fortified their camp. Philippi was at thkt 
time occupied by General Morris, and a collision between his forces and 
those of the Confederates was liliely to occur at any time. General 
McClellan thought it advisable to be nearer the scene of oiaerations, and 
on June 22, 1801, he crossed the Ohio with his staff and proceeded to Graf- 
ton, where he established his headquarters. He had at this time about 
twenty thousand soldiers in West Virginia, stationed fi-om Wheeling to 
Grafton, from Parkersburg to the same place, and in the country round 
about. 

Colonel Porterfield was relieved of his command by General Garnett, 
June 14, 1861, and the military affairs of northwestern Virginia were looked 
after by Garnett in jjerson. The Richmond Government and the Southern 
Confederacy had no intention of abandoning the country beyond the Alle- 
ghanies. On the contrary, it was resolved to hold it at all hazards; but 
subsequent events showed that the Confederates either greatly underesti- 
mated the strength of McClellan's army or greatly overestimated the 
strength of their own forces sent against him. Otherwise Garnett, with a 
force of only six thousand, would not have been pushed forward against 
the lines of an army of twenty thousand, and that, too, in a position so 
remote that Garnett was practically isolated from all assistance. Rein- 
forcements numbering about two thousand men were on the way from 
Staunton to Beverly at the time of Garnett's defeat, but had these troo^js 
reached him in time to be of service, he would still have had not half as 
lai-ge a force as that of McClellan opi:)osed to him. Military men have 
severely criticised General Lee for what they regard as a blunder in thus 
sending an army to almost certain destruction, with little hope of perform- 
ing any service to the Confederacy. 

Had the Confederates been able to hold the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- 
road, the disaster attending General Garnett's campaign would probably 
not have occurred. With that road in their hands, they could have thrown 
soldiers and supplies into Grafton and Clarksburg within ten hours from 
Harrier's Perry. They would thus have had quick communication with 
their base of supplies and an open way to fall back when compelled to do 
so. But they did not hold the Baltimore and Ohio Road, and their only 
practicable route into Western Virginia, north of the Kanawha, was by 
wagon roads across the AUeghanies, by way of the Valley of Virginia. This 
was a long and diflicult route by which to transi^ort supplies for an army; 
and in case that army was compelled to retreat, the line of retreat was lia- 
ble to be cut by the enemy, as it actually was in the case of Garnett. 

On July 1, 1861, General Garnett had about four thousand five hundred 
men. The most of them were from Eastern Virginia and the States further 
south. A considerable part of them were Georgians who had recently 
been stationed at Pensacola, Florida. Reinforcements were constantly 
arriving over the AUeghanies, and by July 10 he had six thousand men. 
He moved northward and westward from Beverly and fortified two iwints 



134 ORGANIZING FOR WAR. 

on Laurel Hill, one named Camp Rich Mountain, six miles west of Bevei-ly, 
the other fifteen miles north by west, near Belington, in Barbour County. 
These positions were naturally sti-ong, and their strength was increased by 
fortifications of logs and stones. They were only a few miles from the out- 
posts of McClellan's army. Had the Confederate positions been attacked 
only from the front it is probably that they could have held out a con- 
siderable time. But there was little in the way of flank movements, and 
when McClellan made his attack, it was by flanking. General Garnett was 
not a novice in the field. He had seen service in the Mexican War; had 
taken jDart in many of the hardest battles; had fought Indians three years 
on the Pacific Coast, and at the outbreak of the Civil War he was traveling 
in Europe. He hastened home; resigned his position in the United States 
Army and joined the Confederate Army, and was almost immediately sent 
into West Virginia to be sacrificed. 

While the Confederates were fortifying their positions in Randolph and 
Barbour Counties, the Union forces were not idle. On June 22 General 
McClellan crossed the Ohio River at Parkersburg. The next day at Graf- 
ton he issued two proclamations, one to the citizens of West Virginia, the 
other to his .soldiers. To the citizens he gave assurance again that he came 
as a friend, to ujihold the laws, to protect the law-abiding, and to punish 
those in rebellion against the Government. In the proclamation to his 
soldiers he told them that he had entered West Virginia to bring peace to 
the peaceable and the sword to the rebellious who wei"e in arms, but mercy 
to disarmed rebels. He began to concentrate his forces for an attack on 
Garnett. He moved his headquarters to Buckhannon on July 2, to be near 
the center of operations. Clarksburg was his base of supplies, and he con- 
structed a telegraph line as he advanced, one of the first, if not the very 
first, military telegraph lines in America. Prom Buckhannon he could move 
in any desired direction by good roads. He had fortified posts at Webster, 
Clarksburg, Parkersburg and Grafton. Eight days later he had moved his 
headquarters to Middle Pork, between Buckhannon and Beverly, and in the 
meantime his forces had made a general advance. He was now within sight 
of the Confederate fortifications on Rich Mountain. General Morris, who 
was leading the advance against Laurel Hill, was also within sight of the 
Confederates. There had already been some skirmishing, and all believed 
that the time was near when a battle would be fought. Colonel John 
Pegram, with thirteen hundred Confederates, was in command at Rich 
Mountain; and at Laurel Hill General Garnett, with between four thousand 
and five thousand men, was in command. There were about six hundred 
more Confederates at various points within a few miles. 

After examining the ground McClellan decided to make the first attack 
on the Rich Mountain works, but in order to divert attention from his real 
purjjose, he ordered General Morris, who was in front of General Garnett's 
position, to bombard the Confederates at Laurel Hill. Accordingly shells 
were thrown in the direction of the Confederate works, .some of which ex- 
ploded within the lines, but doing little damage. On the afternoon of July 
10 General McClellan prepared to attack Pegram at Rich Mountain, but 
ujDon examination of the aiiproaches he saw that an attack in front would 
probably be unsuccessful. The Confederate works were loc^ated one and a 
half miles west of the summit of Rich Mountain, where the Staunton and 
Parkersburg pike crosses. When the Union forces reached the open coun- 
try at Roaring Creek, a short distance west of the Confederate position, 



ORGANIZING FOR WAR. 135 

Colonel Pegram planned an attack upon them, but upon mature reflection, 
abondoned it. There was a path leading from Roaring Creek across Rich 
Mountain to Beverly, north of the Confederate position, and Colonel Pegram 
guarded this path with troops under Colonel Scott, but he did not know that 
another path led across the mountain south of his jjosition, by which 
McClellan could flank him. This path was left unguarded, and it was in- 
strumental in Pegram's defeat. General Rosecrans, who was in charge of 
one wing of the forces in front of the Confederate i^osition, met a young 
man named David Hart, whose father lived one and a half miles in the rear 
of the Confederate fortifications, and he said he could pilot a force, by an 
obscure road, round the southern end of the Confederate lines and reach his 
father's farm, on the summit of the mountain, from which an attack on 
Colonel Pegram in the rear could be made. The young man was taken to 
General McClellan and consented to act as a guide. Thereupon General 
McClellan changed his plan from attacking in front to an attack in the rear. 
He moved a portion of his forces to the western base of Rich Mountain, 
ready to sujiport the attack when made, and he then dispatched General 
Rosecrans, under the guidance of young Hart, by the circuitous route, to 
the rear of the Confederates. Rosecrans reached his destination and sent 
a messenger to inform General McClellan of the fact, and that all was in 
readiness for the attack. This messenger was captured by the Confeder- 
ates, and Pegram learned of the new danger which threatened him, while 
McClellan was left in doubt whether his troops had been able to reach the 
Ijoint for which they had started. Had it not been for this perhaps the 
fighting would have resulted in the cajiture of the Confederates. 

Colonel Pegram, finding that he was to be attacked from the rear, sent 
three hundred and fifty men to the point of danger, at the top of the moun- 
tain, and built the best breastworks possible in the short time at his disposal. 
When Rosecrans advanced to the attack he was stubbornly resisted, and 
the fight continued two or three hours, and neither side could gain any ad- 
vantage. Pegram was sending up reinforcements to the mountain when 
the Union forces made a charge and swept the Confederates from the field. 
Colonel Pegram collected several companies and prepared to renew the 
tight. It was now late in the afternoon of July 11. The men were panic- 
stricken, but they moved forward, and were led around the mountain with- 
in musket range of the Union forces that had remained on the battle ground. 
But the Confederates became alarmed and fled without making an attack. 
Their forces were scattered over the mountain, and night was coming 
on. Colonel Pegram saw that all was lost, and determined to make his way 
to Garnett's army, if iMSsible, about fifteen miles distant, through the 
woods. He commenced collecting his men and sending them forward. It 
was after midnight when he left the camp and set forward with the last 
remnants of his men in an effort to reach the Confederate forces on Laurel 
Hill. The loss of the Confederates in the battle had been about forty-five 
killed and about twenty wounded. All their baggage and artillery fell into 
the hands of the Union army. Sixty-three Confederates were captured. 
Rosecrans lost twelve killed and forty-nine wounded. 

The retreat from Rich Mountain was disastrous. The Confederates 
were eighteen hours in groping their way twelve miles through the woods 
in the direction of Garnett's camp. Near sunset on July 12 they reached 
the Tygart River, three miles from the Laurel Hill camp, and there learned 
from the citizens that Garnett had already retreated and that the Union 



136 ORGANIZING FOR WAR. 

forces were in pursuit. There seemed only one possible avenue of escape 
open for Pegram's force. That was a miserable road leading across the 
mountains into Pendleton County. Pew persons lived near the road, and 
the outlook was that the men would starve to death if they attempted to 
make their way through. They were already starving. Accordingly, Col- 
onel Pegram that night sent a flag of truce to Beverly, offering to surren- 
der, and at the same time stating that his men were starving. Early the 
next morning General McClellan sent several wagon loads of bread to them, 
and met them on their way to Beverly. The number of prisoners surren- 
dered was thirty officers aiid five hundred and twenty-five men. The 
remainder of the force at Rich Mountain had been killed, wounded, cap- 
tui-ed and scattered. Colonel Scott, who had been holding the path leading 
over the mountain north of the Confederate position, learned of the defeat 
of Pegram and he made good his retreat over the AUeghanies by way of 
Huttonsville. 

It now remains to be told how General Garnett fared. The fact that 
he had posted the greater part of his army on Laurel Hill is proof that he 
exjaected the principal attack to be made on that place. He was for a time 
deceived by the bombardment directed against him, but he was undeceived 
when he learned that Colonel Pegram had been defeated, and that General 
McClellan had thrown troops across Rich Mountain and had successfully 
turned the flank of the Confederate position. All that was left for Garnett 
was to withdraw his army while there was yet time. His line of retreat 
was the pike from Beverly to Staunton, and the Union forces were pushing 
forward to occupy that and to cut him off in that direction. On the after- 
noon of July 12, 18151, Garnett retreated, hastening to reach Beverly in ad- 
vance of the Union forces. On the way he met fugitives from Pegram's 
army and was told by them that McClellan had already reached Beverly, 
and that the road in that direction was closed. Thereupon Garnett turned 
eastward into Tucker County, over a very rough road. General Morris 
pursued the retreating Confederates over the mountain to Cheat River, 
skirmishing on the way. General Garnett remained in the rear directing 
his skirmishers, and on July 11, at Corrick's Ford, where Parsons, the 
county seat of Tucker County, has since been located, he found that he 
could no longer avoid giving battle. With a few hundred men he opened 
fire on the advance of the pursuing army and checked the pursuit. But in 
bringing off his skirmishers from behind a jjile of driftwood, Garnett was 
killed and his men were seized with panic and fled, leaving his body on the 
field, with a score or more of dead. 

When it was found that the Confederates were retreating eastward 
Federal troops from Grafton, Rowlesburg and other points on the Balti- 
more and Ohio Railroad were ordered to cut off the retreat at St. George, 
in Tucker County. But the troops could not be concentrated in time, and 
the concentration was made at Oakland, in Maryland, with the expectation 
of intercepting the retreating Confederates at Red House, eight miles west 
of Oakland. 

Up to the time of the fight at Corrick's Ford the retz'eat had been 
orderly, but after that it became a rout. The roads were narrow and 
rough, and the excessive rains had rendered them almost impassible. 
Wagons and stores were abandoned, and when Horse Shoe Run, a long and 
narrow defile leading to the Red House, in Maryland, was reached inform- 
ation was received that Union troops from Rowlesburg and Oakland were 



ORGANIZING FOR WAR. 137 

at the Red House, cutting off retreat in that direction. The artillery was 
sent to the front. A portion of the cavalry was piloted by a mountaineer 
along a narrow jDath across the Backbone and Alleghany Mountains. The 
main body continued its retreat to the Red House, and pursued its way un- 
molested across the Alleghanies to Monterey. Two regiments marching 
in haste to reinforce Garnett at Laui-el Hill had reached Monterey when 
news of Garnett's retreat was received. The regiments halted there, and 
as Garnett's stragglers came in they were re-organized. 

The Union army made no pursuit beyond Corrick's Ford, except that 
detachments followed to the Red House to pick up the stores abandoned by 
the Confederates. Garnett's body fell into the hands of the Union forces 
and was prejjared for burial and sent to Richmond. It was carried in a 
canoe to Rowlesburg, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, thirty miles be- 
low, on Cheat River, in charge of Whitelaw Reid, who had taken part in 
the battle at Corrick's Ford. Reid was acting in the double capacity of cor- 
respondent for the Gineinnati Gazette and an aid on the staff of General Mor- 
ris. When Rowlesburg was reached Garnett's body was sent by express to 
Governor Letcher, at Richmond. 

This closed the camjiaign in that part of West Virginia for 1861. The 
Confederates had failed to hold the country. On July 22 General McClellan 
was transferred to Washington to take charge of military operations there. 
In comijarison with the greater battles and more extensive campaign later 
in the war, the affairs in West Virginia were small. But they were of great 
importance at the time. Had the result been different, had the Confeder- 
ates held their ground at Gi-afton, Philipiii, Rich Mountain and Laurel Hill, 
and had the Union forces been di-iven out of the State, across the Ohio, the 
outcome would have changed the history of the war, but probably not the 
result. 



CHAPTER XVL 



PROGRESS OF THE WAR, 

After Garnett's retreat in July, 1861, there were few Confederates in 
"West Virginia, west of tlie AUeghanies, except in the Kanawha Valley. 
But the Government at Richmond and the Confederate Government were 
not inclined to give up so easily the jiart of Virginia west of the mountains, 
and in a short time preparations were made to send an army from the east 
to re-conquer the territory beyond the Alleghanies. A large part of the 
army with which McClellan had defeated Garnett had been sent to other 
fields; the terms of enlistment of many of the soldiers had expired. When 
the Confederates re-crossed the mountains late in the summer of 1861 they 
were opposed by less than ten thousand Federals stationed in that moun- 
tainous part of West Virginia about the sources of the Greenbrier, the 
Tygart Valley River, Cheat, and near the source of the Potomac. In tha: 
elevated and rugged region a reinarlcubli' campaign was made. It was not 
remarkable because of hard liglitiiig, for there was no pitched battle; but 
because in this campaign the Confcdi'iatcs were checked in their purjjose 
of re-conquering the ground lost by Garnett and of extending their con- 
quest north and west. This campaign has also an historical interest 
because it was General Lee's first work in the field after he had been 
assigned the command of Virginia's land and sea forces. The outcome of 
the campaign was not what might be expected of a great and calculating 
general as Lee was. Although he had a larger army than his opi^onents in 
the field, and had at least as good ground, and although he was able to hold 
his own at every skirmish, -yet, as the campaign progn'ssod he constantly 
fell back. In September he fought at Elkwater and t!heat Mountain, in 
Randolph County; in October he fought at Greenbrier river, having fallen 
back from his first position. In December he had fallen back to the summit 
of the Alleghanies, and fought a battle there. It should be stated, however, 
that General Lee, although in command of the army, took part in person 
only in the skirmishing in Randolph County. The importance of this cam- 
paign entitles it to mention somewhat more in detail. 

General Reynolds succeeded General McClellan in command of this 
part of West Virginia. He advanced from Beverly to Huttonsville, a few 
miles above, and remained in peaceful possession of the country two 
months after Garnett's retreat, except that his scouting parties were con- 
stantly annoyed by Confederate irregulars, or guerrillas, usually called 
bushwhackers. Their mode of attack was, to lie concealed on the summits 
of cliffs, overhanging the roads or in thickets on the hillsides, and fire uixm 
the Union soldiers passing below. They were justly dreaded by the Union 
troops. These busliwhackers were usually citizens of that district who had 



PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 139 

taken to the woods after their well-known southern sympathies had ren- 
dered it unsafe or unpleasant to remain at home while the country was 
occupied by the Union armies. They were excellent marksmen, minutely 
acquainted with all the ins and outs of the mountains and woods; and, from 
their manner of attack and flight, it was seldom that they were captured or 
killed. They hid about the outposts of the Union armies; picked off senti- 
nels; wayland scouts; ambushed small detachments, and fled to their moun- 
tain fastnesses where jjursuit was out of the question. A war is considered 
severe in loss of life in which each soldier, taken as an average, kills one 
soldier on the other side, even though the war is prolonged for years. 
Yet, these bushwhackers often killed a dozen or more each, before being 
themselves killed. It can be readily understood why small detachments 
dreaded bushwhackers more than Confederate troops in pitched battle. 
Nor did the bushwhackers confine their attacks to small parties. They 
often tired into the ranks of armies on the march with deadly effect. While 
in the mountains of West Virginia General Averell's cavalry often suffered 
severely from these hidden guerrillas who fired and vanished. The bush- 
whacking was not always done by Confederates. Union soldiers or sympa- 
thizers resorted to it also at times. 

General Reynolds, with headquarters at Beverly, spent the summer of 
1861 in strengthening his i^osition, and in attempting to clear the country 
of guerrillas. Early in September he received information that large num- 
bers of Confederates were crossing the AUeghanies. General Loring 
established himself at Huntersville, in Pocahontas County, with 8500 men. 
He it was who had tried in vain to raise recruits in West Virginia for the 
Confederacy, even attempting to gain a foothold in Wheeling before 
McClellan's army crossed the Ohio River. He had gone to Richmond, and 
early in September had returned with an army. General H. R. Jackson 
was in command of another Confederate force of 6000 at Greenbrier River 
where the pike from Beverly to Staunton crosses that stream, in Pocahontas 
County. General Robert E. Lee was sent by the Government at Richmond 
to take command of both these armies, and he lost no time in doing so. 
No order sending General Lee into West Vii-ginia has ever been found 
among the records of the Confederate Government. It was probably a 
verbal order, or he may have gone without any order. He concentrated 
his force at Big Spring, on Valley Mountain, and prepared to march north 
to the Baltimore and Ohio Road at Grafton. His design was nothing less 
than to drive the Union army out of northwestern Virginia. When the 
matter is viewed in the light of subsequent history, it is to be wondered at 
that General Lee did not succeed in his purpose. He had 14500 men, and 
only 9000 were opposed to him. Had he defeated General Reynolds; driven 
his army back; occupied Grafton, Clarksburg and other towns, it can be 
readily seen that the seat of war might have been changed to West Virginia. 
The United States Government would have sent an army to oppose Lee; 
and the Confederate Government would have pushed strong reinforcements 
across the mountains; and some of the great battles of the war might have 
been fought on the Monongahela river. The camjiaign in the fall of 1861, 
about the head waters of the principle rivers of West Virginia, therefore, 
derives its chief interest, not from battles, but from the accomislishment of 
a great jDurpose — the driving back of the Confederates — without a pitched 
battle. Virginia, as a State, made no determined effort after that to hold 
Western Virginia. By that time the campaign in the Kanawha Valley was 



140 PROGRESS OP THE WAR. 

drawing to a close and theConfederates were retiring. Consequently, Vir- 
ginia's and the Southern Confederacy's etforts west of the AUeghanies in 
this State were defeated in the fall of 1801. 

General Reynolds sent a regiment to Elkwater, and soon afterwards 
occupied Cheat Mountain. This jDoint was the highest camp occupied by 
soldiers during the war. The celebrated "Battle Above the Clouds," on 
Lookout Mountain, was not one-half so high. The whole region, including 
pai-ts of Pocahontas, Pendleton and Randoljih Counties, has an elevation 
above three thousand feet, while the summits of the knobs and ridges rise 
to heights of more than four thousand, and some nearly five thousand feet. 
General Reynolds fortitierl his two advanced positions, Elkwater and Cheat 
Mountain. They were seven miles apart, connected by only a bridle path, 
but a circuitous wagon road, eighteen miles long, led from one to the other, 
passing around in the direction of Huttonsville. No sooner had the United 
States troops established themselves at Elkwater and Cheat Mountain than 
General Lee advanced, and skirmishing began. The Confederates threw a 
force between Elkwater and Cheat Mountain, and posted another force on 
the road in the direction of Huttonsville. They were attacked, and for 
three days there was skirmishing, but no general engagement. On Sep- 
tember 13 Colonel John A. Washington, in the Confederate service, was 
killed near Elkwater. He was a relative of President Washington, and also 
a relative General R. E. Lee, whose family and the Washingtons wei-e 
closely connected. General Lee sent a flag of truce and asked for the body. 
It was sent to the Confederate lines on September 14. That day the Con- 
federates concentrated ten miles from Elkwater, and the next day again 
advanced, this time threatening Cheat Mountain, but their attack was un- 
successful. In this series of skirmishes the Union forces had lost nine 
killed, fifteen wounded and about sixty prisoners. The result was a defeat 
for the Confederates, who were thwarted in their design of penetrating 
northward and westward. The failure of the Confederates to bring on a 
battle was due to their different detachments not acting in concert. It was 
Lee's plan to attack both positions at the same time. He sent detachments 
against Elkwater and Cheat Mountain. The sound of cannon attacking one 
position was to be the signal for attacking the other. The troops marched 
in rain and mud, along paths and in the woods, and when they found them 
selves in front of the Federal position, the detachment which was to have 
begun the attack failed to do so. The other detachment waited in vain for 
the signal, and then retreated. General Lee was much hurt by the failure 
of his plan.* 

General Loriner's army of 8,500, which was camped at Hunters ville, in 
Pocahontas County, was sent to that place for a jjarticular purpose. He 
was to swee^j round toward the west, then march north toward Weston and 
Clarksburg, strike the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and by threatening or 
cutting off General Reynolds' line of communication with his base of sup- 
plies, compel him to fall back. This plan was General Lee's. He left its 
execution to General Loring, who moved slowly, halted often, camped long, 
hesitated frequently, and consumed much valuable time. His men became 
sick. Rains made progress difficult, and he did not seem in a hurry to get 
along. General Lee waited but Loring still failed to march. He was an 
older officer than Lee, and although Lee had a right to order him forward, 

* See H, A. White's Life of Kobert E. Lee. 



PROGEESS OF THE WAR. 141 

he refrai^ied from doing so for fear of wounding Loring's feelings. The 
time for executing the movement passed, and the flank movement, which 
probably would have succeeded, was given uj}. 

The Confederates were not yet willing 'to abandon West Virginia. They 
fell back to the Greenbrier River, thirteen miles from the Union camp, on 
Cheat Mountain, and fortified their jaosition. They were commanded by 
General H. R. Jackson, and their number was believed to be about nine 
thousand. On October 3, 1861, General Reynolds advanced at the head of 
five thousand troops. During the first part of the engagement the Union 
forces Avere successful, driving the Confederates nearly a mile, but here 
several batteries of artillery were encountered, and reinforcements arriving 
to the supijort of the Confederates, the battle was renewed and General 
Reynolds was forced to fall back, with a loss of nine killed and thirty-five 
wounded. On December 10 General Reynolds was transferred to other 
fields, and the command of the Union forces in the Cheat Mountain district 
was given to General R. H. Milroy. Within three days after he assumed 
command he moved forward to attack the Confederate camp on the summit 
of the AUeghanies. The Confederates had gone into winter quai'ters there; 
and as the weather was severe, and as the Union forces appeared satisfied 
to hold what they had without attempting any additional conquests in mid- 
winter, the Confederates were not expecting an attack. However, on 
December 13, 1861, General Milroy moved forward and assaulted their posi- 
tion. The fighting was severe for sevei-al hours, and finally resulted in the 
retreat of the Union forces. The Confederates made no attempt to follow. 
General Milroy marched to Huntersville, in Pocahontas county, and went 
into winter quarters. The Rebels remained on the summit of the AUegha- 
nies till spring and then went over the mountains, out of West Virginia, 
thus ending the attempt to re-conquer northwestern Virginia. 

It now remains to be seen what success attended the eiforts of the Con- 
federates to gain control of the Kanawha Valley. Their campaign in West 
Virginia for the year 1861 was divided into two parts, in the northwest and 
in the Kanawha Valley. General Henry A. Wise was ordered to the Kana- 
wha June 6, two days before General Garnett was ordered to take command 
of the trooijs which had been driven .south from Grafton. Colonel Tomp- 
kins was already on the Kanawha in charge of Confederate forces. The 
authorities at Richmond at that time believed that a General, with the 
nucleus of an army in the Kanawha Valley, could raise all the troops neces- 
sary among the people there. On Ajjril 29 General Lee had ordered Major 
John McCausland to the Kanawha to organize companies for the Confed- 
eracy. Only five hundred flint-lock muskets could be had at that time to 
arm the troops in that quarter. General Lee suggested that the valley 
could be held by posting the force below Charleston. Very poor success 
attended the efforts at raising volunteers, and the arms found in the district 
were insutticieut to equip the men. Sujiplies were sent as soon as possible 
from Virginia. 

When General Wise arrived and had collected all his forces he had 
8,000 men, of whom 2,000 were militia from Raleigh, Payette and Mercer 
Counties. With these he was expected to occupy the Kanawha Valley, and 
resist invasion should Union forces attempt to jjenetrate that part of the 
State. General John B. Floyd, who had been Secretary of War under Pres- 
ident Buchanan, was guarding the railroad leading from Richmond into 
Tennessee, and was posted south of the present limits of West Virginia, but 



142 PROGRESS OP THE WAR. 

within supporting distance of General Wise. In case a Union army invaded 
the Kanawha Valley it was expected that General Floyd would unite his 
forces with those of General Wise, and that they would act in concert if 
not in conjunction. General Floyd was the older officer, and in case their 
forces were con.solidated he would be the commander in-chief. But Gen- 
eral Floyd and General Wise were enemies. Their hatred for the Yankees 
was less than their hatred for each other. They were both Virginia politi- 
cians, and they had crossed each other's paths too often in the past to be 
reconciled now. General Lee tried in vain to induce them to work in har- 
mony. They both fought the Union troops bravely, but never in concert. 
When Wise was in front of General Cox, General Floyd was elsewhere. 
When Floyd was jiitted in battle against General Rosecrans, General Wise 
was absent. Thus the Union troops beat these quarreling Virginia Briga- 
dier Generals in detail, as will be seen in the following narrative of the 
campaign during the summer and fall of 18G1 in the Kanawha Valley. 

When Generals Wise and Floyd were sent to their districts in the West 
it was announced in their camps that they would march to Clarksburg, 
Parkersburg and Wheeling. This would have brought them in conllict with 
General McClellan's army. On July 2 McClellan i^ut ti'oops in motion 
against the Confederates in the Kanawha Valley. On that date he appoint- 
ed General J. D. Cox to the command of regiments from Kentucky and 
Ohio, and ordered him to cross the Ohio at Gallipolis and take possession 
of Point Pleasant, at the mouth of the Kanawha. On July 23 General Rose- 
crans succeeded McClellan in command of the Dei^artment of Ohio. Rose- 
crans pushed the preparation for a vigorous campaign, which had already 
been commenced. He styled the troops under General Cox the Brigade of 
Kanawha. On July 17, in Putnam County, a fight occurred between de- 
tachments of Union and Confederate forces, in which the latter ai:)peared 
for the time victorious, but soon retrea^^ed eastward. From that time until 
September 10 there was constant skirmishing between the armies, the ad- 
vantage being sometimes on one side, sometimes on the other; but the 
Union forces constantly advanced and the Confederates fell back. On 
August 1 General Wise was in Greenbrier County, and in a report made to 
General Lee on that date, be says he fell back not a moment too .soon. He 
complained that his militia were worthless as soldiers, a*l urged General 
Lee to send him guns and other arms, and clothing and shoes, as his men 
were ragged and barefooted. On August 20 General Rosecrans was at 
Clarksburg preparing to go in person to lead reinforcements into the Kana- 
wha. He issued a proclamation to the people of West Virginia, calling on 
them to obey the laws, maintain order and co-operate with the military in 
its efforts to drive the armed Confederates from the State. 

Prior to that time Colonel E. B. Tyler, with a Federal force, had ad- 
vanced to the Gauley River, and on August 13 he took up a iwsition at 
Cross Lanes. He thus covered Carnifex Ferry. General Cox was at that 
time on the Gauley River, twenty miles lower down, near the mouth of that 
stream, nearly forty miles above Charleston. General Floyd advanced, and 
on August 2(5 crossed the Gauley at Carnifex Ferry with 2,500 men, and fell 
upon Colonel Tyler at Cross Lanes with such suddenness that the Union 
troops were routed, with fifteen killed and fifty wounded. The latter fell 
into the hands of the Confederates, who took fifty other prisoners also. The 
remainder of Tyler's force made its retreat to Charleston, and General 
Floyd fortified the position just gained and prepared to hold it. On Sep- 



PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 143 

tember 3 General Wise made an attack on General Cox at Gauley Bridge, 
near the mouth of the river, twenty miles below Carnifex Perry. The at- 
tack failed. The Confederates were beaten and were vigorously pursued. 
Had Wise held Gauley Bridge, Ployd already being in possession of Carni- 
fex Perry, they would have been in i^ositions to dispute the further advance 
of the Union forces up the Kanawha Valley. 

General Rosecrans left Clarksburg September 3, with re-inforcements, 
and after a march of seven days reached Carnifex Ferry, and that same 
evening began an attack upon the Confederates under General Ployd, who 
were entrenched on top of a mountain on the west bank of the Gauley 
River, in Nicholas County. General Ployd had about 4000 men and sixteen 
cannon, and his position was so well jjrotected by woods, that assault, with 
chance of success, was considered exceedingly difficult. He had fortilied 
this naturally strong position, and felt confident that it could not be cap- 
tured by any force the Union general could bring against him. The fight 
began late in the afternoon, General Rosecrans having marched seventeen 
miles that day. It was not his purpose to bring on a general engagement 
that afternoon, and he directed his forces to advance cautiously and find 
where the enemy lay; for the position of the Confederates was not yet 
known. While thus advancing a camp was found in the woods, from which 
the Confederates had cvid.'utiv tied in haste. Military stores and i^rivate 
property were scatt'Tcd in ((infusion. Prom this fact it was supposed that 
the enemy was in retreat, and the Union troops pushed on through thickets 
and over ridges. Presently tln-y dis(;overed that they had been mistaken. 
They were fired upon by the C'onfederate army in line of battle. From 
that hour until dariinoss ])ut a stop to the fighting, the battle continued. 
The Union troops had not been able to carry any of the Rebel works; and 
General Rosecrans withdrew his men for the night, prepared to renew the 
battle next morning. But during the night General Ployd retreated. He 
had grown doubtful <if liis ability to holdout if the attack was resumed with 
the same imix'tuisity us on the preceding evening. But he was more fear- 
ful that the Union iroops would cut off his retreat if he remained. So, 
while it was yet time, he withdrew in the direction of Lewisburg, in Green- 
brier County, destroying the bridge over the Gauley, and also the ferry 
across that stream. General Rosecrans was unable to pursue because he 
could not cross the river. It is a powerful, turbulent stream, and at this 
place flows several miles down a deep gorge, filled with rocks and cataracts. 
Among spoils which fell into the hands of the victors was General Floyd's 
hospital, in which were fifty wounded Union soldiers who had been captured 
when Colonel Tyler was di-iven from this same place on August 26. Gen- 
eral Rosecrans lost seventeen killed and one hundred and forty-one wounded 
The Confederate loss was never ascertained. 

After a rest of a few days the Union army advanced to Big Sewell 
Mountain. The weather was wet, and the roads became so muddy that it 
was almost imjiossible to haul supplies over them. For this reason it was 
deemed advisable to fall back. On October 5 General Rosecrans began to 
withdraw his forces to Gauley Bridge, and in the course of two weeks had 
transferred his command to that place, where he had water communication 
with his base of supplies. 

On November 10 another action was fought between General Ployd and 
General Rosecrans, in which the Confederates were defeated. This virtu- 
ally closed the campaign for the year 1861 in that quarter, and resulted in 



144 PROGRESS OP THE WAR. 

the occupation of all the lower Kanawha Valley and the greater part of the 
upper valley. The Confederates were finally driven out, and never again 
obtained a foothold in that part of the State, although large bodies were at 
times in the Valley of the Kanawha, and occasionally remained a con.sider- 
able time. 

The Confederate Government, and the State of Virginia as a member of 
that Government, had an object in view when they sent their forces into 
West Virginia at the commencement of the Civil War. Virginia as a State 
was interested in retaining the territory between the Alleghany Mountains 
and the Ohio River and did not believe she could do so without force and 
arms, because her long neglect and oppression had alienated the western 
counties. Virginia correctly judged that they would seize the first opiDor- 
tunity and organize a separate State. To prevent them from doing so, and 
to retain that large pai"t of her domain lying west of the Alleghanies, were 
the chief motives which promj^ted Virginia, as a State, to invade the west- 
ern part of her own territory, even before open war was acknowledged to 
exist between the Southern Confederacy and the United States Government. 
The jjurposc which prompted the Southern Confederacy to push troops 
across the Alleghanies in such haste was to obtain possession of the coun- 
try to the borders of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and to fortify the frontiers 
against invasion from the north and west. It was well understood at the 
headquarters of the Southern Confederacy that the thousands of soldiers 
already mustering beyond the Ohio River, and the tens of thousands who 
would no doubt soon take the field in the same quarter, would speedily cross 
the Ohio, unless prevented. The bold move which the South undei'took 
was to make the borders of Ohio and Pennsylvania the battle ground. The 
southern leaders did not at that time appreciate the magnitude of the war 
which was at hand. If they had understood it, and had had a military man 
in the place of Jefferson Davis, it is probable that the battle ground would 
have been different from what it was. Consequently, to rightly understand 
the early movements of the Confederates in West Virginia, it is necessary 
to consider that their purpose was to hold the country to the Ohio river. 
Their effort was weak, to be sure, but that was partly due to their miscal- 
culation as to the assistance they would receive from-the jieople of West 
Virginia. If they could have organized an army of forty thousand West 
Virginians and reinforced them with as many moi-e men from the South, it 
can be readily seen tliiit McClellan could not have crossed the Ohio as he 
did. But the scheme failed. The West Virginians not only would not 
enlist in the Confederate army, but they enlisted in the opposing force; and 
when Garnett made his report from Laurel Hill he told General Lee that, 
for all the help he received from the peojile. he might as well carry on a 
campaign in a foreign country. From that time it was regarded by the Con- 
federates as the enemy's country; and when, laler in the war, Jones, Jack- 
son, Imboden and others made raids into West Virginia they acted toward 
persons and projierty in the same way as when raids were made in Ohio and 
Penn.sylvania. 

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, crossing West Virginia from Har- 
per's Ferry to Wheeling, and from Grafton to Parkersburg, was considered 
of the utmost importance by both the North and the South. It was so near 
the boundary between what was regarded as the Southern Confederacy and 
the North that during the early part of the war neither the one side nor the 
other felt sure of holding it. The management of the road was in sympa- 



PROGRESS OP THE WAR. 145 

thy with the North, but an effort was made to so manage the property as 
not to give cause for hostility on the part of the South. At one time the 
trains were run in accordance with a time table prepared by Stonewall 
Jackson, even as far as Locust Point.* It was a part of the Confederate 
scheme in West Virginia to obtain jDOssession and control, in a friendly way 
if possible, of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The possession of it would 
not only helji the Confederacy in a direct way, but it would cri^jple the Fed- 
eral Government and help the South in an indirect way. Within six days 
after General Lee was ajipointed Commander-in-Chief of the Virginia armies 
he instructed Major Loring, at Wheeling, to direct his military operations 
for the protection of the terminus of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad on 
the Ohio River, and also to protect the road elsewhere. Major Boykin was 
ordered to give protection to the road in the vicinity of Grafton. General 
Lee insisted that the peaceful business of the road must not be interfered 
with. The branch to Parkersburg was also to be protected. Major Boy- 
kin was told to " hold the road for the benefit of Maryland and Virginia." 
He was advised to obtain the co-operation of the officers ot the road and 
afford them every assistance. When Colonel Porterfield was ordered to 
Grafton, on May 4, 1861, among the duties marked out for him by General 
Lee was the holding of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and to prevent its 
being used to the injury of Virginia. 

No one has ever supposed that the Southern Confederacy wanted the 
Baltimore and Ohio Road protected because of any desire to befriend that 
company. The leaders of the Confederacy knew that the officers of the 
road were not friendly to secession. As soon as Western Virginia had 
slipped out of the grasp of the Confederacy, and when the railroad could 
no longer help the South to realize its ambition of fortifying the banks of 
the Ohio, the Confederacy threw off the mask and came out in open hostil- 
ity. George Deas, Inspector General of the Confederate Army, urged that 
the railroad be destroyed, bridges burned along the line, and the tunnels 
west of the Alleghanies blown up so that no troops could be carried east 
from the Ohio River to the Potomac. This advice was j^artly carried out 
by a raid from Romney on June 19, 1861, after Colonel Porterfield had 
retreated from Grafton and had been driven from Philippi. But the dam- 
age to the road was not great and repairs were speedily made. Governor 
Letcher, of Virginia, had recommended to the Legislature a short time be- 
fore, that the Baltimore and Ohio Road ought to be destroyed. He said: 
" The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad has been a positive nuisance to this 
State, from the opening of the war till the present time. And unless the 
management shall hereafter be in friendly hands, and the government un- 
der which it exists be a part of our Confederacy, it must be abated. If it 
should be permanently destroyed we must assure our peojjle of some other 
communication with the seaboard, "f Fi'om that time till the close of the 
war the Confederacy inflicted every damage possible upon the road, and in 
many instances the damage was enormous. 

When General Garnett established himself in Randolph and Barbour 
Counties, in June, 1861, he made an elaborate plan of attack on the Balti- 
more and Ohio Railroad. He intended to take possession of Evansville, in 
Preston County, and using that as a base, destroy east and west. The high 



146 PEOGRESS OF THE WAR. 

trestles along the face of Laurel Hill, west of Rowlesburg, and the bridge 
across Cheat River at Rowlesburg, and the long tunnel at Tunnelton were 
selected for the first and iirinciijal destruction. General Garnett had the 
road from Rowlesburg up Cheat River to St. George surveyed with a view 
to widening and improving it, thereby making of it a military road by which 
he could advance or fall back, in case the road from Beverly to Evansville 
should be threatened. General Imboden twice made dashes over the Allo- 
ghanies at the head of Cheat River and struck for the Rowlesburg trestles, 
but each time fell back when he reached St. George. In the spring of lHtJ3, 
when the great raid into West Virginia was made under Jones, Imboden and 
Jackson, every possible damage was done the Baltimore and Ohio Road, 
but again the Rowlesburg trestles escaped, although the Confederates ap- 
proached within two miles of them. 

It is proper to state here that an effort was made, after fighting had 
commenced, to win the West Virginians over to the cause of the South by 
promising them larger privileges than they had ever before enjoyed. On 
June 14, 1861, Governor Letcher issued a iDroclamation, which was pub- 
lished at Huttonsville, in Randol^ih County, and addressed to the jieople of 
Northwestern Virginia. In this proclamation he promised them that the 
injustice from unequal taxation of which they had complained in the jjast, 
should exist no longer. He said that the eastern jiart of the State had 
expressed a willingness to relinquish exemptions from taxation, which it 
had been enjoying, and was willing to share all the burdens of government. 
The Governor promised that in state affairs, the majority should rule; and 
he called upon the people beyond the AUeghanies, in the name of past 
friendship and of historic memories, to espouse the cause of the Southern 
Confederacy. It is needless to state that this proclamation fell flat. The 
people of Western Virginia would have hailed with delight a prospect of 
redress of grievances, had it come earlier. But its coming was so long 
delayed that they doubted both the sincerity of those who made the prom- 
ise and their ability to fulfill. Twenty thousand soldiers had already 
crossed the Ohio, and had penetrated more than half way from the river to 
the AUeghanies, and they had been joined by thousands of Virginians. It 
was a poor time for Governor Letcher to apjjeal to past memories or to 
promise justice in the future which had been denied in the past. Coming 
as the promise did at that time, it looked like a death-bed repentance. The 
Southern Confederacy had postponed fortifying the bank of the Ohio until 
too late; and Virginia had held out the olive branch to her neglected and 
long-suffering peoi)le beyond the mountains when it was too late. They 
had already cast their lot with the North; and already a powerful army had 
crossed the Ohio to their assistance. Virginia's day of dominion west of 
the AUeghanies was nearing its close; and the Southern Confederacy's hope 
of empire there was already doomed. 



CHAPTER XVIL 



CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR * 

In this chapter will be given an outline of the progress of the Civil War 
on the soil of West Virginia or immediately affecting the State. As there 
were more than three hundred battles and skirmishes within the limits of 
the State, and numerous scouts, raids and campaigns, it will be possible in 
the brief space of one chapter to give little more than the date of each, with 
a word of explanation or descrijition. In former chapters the history of the 
opening of the war and accounts of the leading campaigns have been given. 
It yet remains to pi-esent in their chronological sequence the events of 
greater or lesser importance which constitute the State's war record. 

ISSl. 

Airril 17. The Ordinance of Secession was adopted by the Virginia 
Convention at Richmond. 

April 18. Harper's Ferry was abandoned by the Federal troops. 
Lieutenant Roger Jones, the commandant, learning that more than two 
thousand Virginia troops were advancing to attack him, set fire to the 
United States armory and machine shops and retreated into Pennsylvania. 
Fifteen minutes after he left Harper's Ferry the Virginia forces arrived. 

April 23. General Robert E. Lee assigned to the command of Virginia's 
land and naval forces. 

April 27. Colonel T. J. Jackson assigned to the command of the Vir- 
ginia forces at Harper's Ferry. 

May 1. Governor Letcher calls out the Virginia militia. 

May 3. Additional forces called for by the Governor of Virginia. The 
call was disregarded by nearly all the counties west of the Alleghanies. 

May 4. Colonel George A. Porterfleld assigned to the command of all 
the Confederate forces in Northwestern Virginia. 

May 10. General Robert E. Lee assigned to the command of the forces 
of the Confederate States serving in Virginia. 

May 13. General George B. McClellan assigned to the command of the 
Department of the Ohio, embracing West Virginia. 

May 14. The Confederates at Harper's Ferry seized a train of cars. 

May 15. General Joseph E. Johnston assigned to the command of Con- 
federate troops near Harper's Ferry. 

May 22. Bailey Brown was killed by a Confederate picket at Fetter- 

I'nili'd States 

ird.riilf. have 
y nr ilufuat ol 



148 CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 

man, Taylor County. Brown was the first enlisted man of the United States 
volunteer service killed in the war. 

May 26. Federal forces from beyond the Ohio and those about Wheel- 
ing began to move against Grafton where Confederates, under Colonel Por- 
tertield, had established themselves. 

May 27. Captain Christian Roberts was killed by Federals under 
Lieutenant West, in a skirmish at Glover's Gap, between Wheeling and 
Fairmont. Captain Roberts was the first armed Confederate soldier killed 
in the war. 

May 30. Grafton was occupied by Federal forces, the Confederates 
having retreated to Philippi. 

Jime 3. Fight at Philippi and retreat of the Confederates into Ran- 
dolph County. 

June 6. Ex-Governor Henry A. Wise was sent to the Kanawha Valley 
to collect troops for the Confederacy. 

June 8. General R. S. Gaijnett su^jerseded Colonel Porterfield in com- 
mand of Confederate forces in West Virginia. 

June 10. A Federal force was sent from Rowlesburg to St. George, in 
Tucker County, capturing a lieutenant and two Confederate flags. 

June 14. Governor Letcher, of Virginia, published at Huttonsville, 
Randolph County, a proclamation to the people west of the Alleghanies, 
urging them to stand by Virginia in its Secession, and promising them, if 
they would do so, that the wrongs of which they had so long complained 
should exist no more, and that the western counties should no longer be 
domineered over by the powerful eastern counties. 

June 19. Skirmish near Keyser. Confederates under Colonel John C. 
Vaughn advanced from Romney and burned Bridge No. 21 on the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroad, and defeated the Cumberland Home Guards, capturing 
two small cannon. 

June 23. Skirmish between Federals and Confederates at Rightor's. 

June 26. Skirmish on Patterson Creek, Hampshire County, in which 
Richard Ashby was killed by thirteen Federals under Corporal David Hays. 

June 29. Skirmish at Hannahsville, in Tucker County, in which Lieu- 
tenant Robert McChesney was killed by Federals under Cajitain Miller. 

July 2. Fight at Falling Waters, near Martin sburg. Colonel John C. 
Starkweather defeated Stonewall Jackson. This was Jackson's first skir- 
mish in the Civil War. 

July 4. Skirmish at Harrier's Perry. Federals under Lietenant Gal- 
braith were fired upon from opposite bank of the river. The Federals fell 
back with a loss of 4. 

July 6. The forces under McClellan which were advancing upon Rich 
Mountain encountered Confederate outjjosts at Middle Pork Bridge, eighteen 
miles west of Beverly. The Federals fell back. 

July 7. The Federals drove the Confederates from Middle Fork 
Bridge. 

July 7. Skirmish at Glennville, Gilmer County. 

Jxdy 8. Skirmish at Belington, Barbour County. General Morris with 
the left wing of McClollan's army attempted to dislodge the Confederates 
from the woods in the rear of the village, and was repulsed, losing 2 killed 
and 3 wounded. 

July 11. Battle of Rich Mountain. The Confederates under Colonel 
Pegram were defeated by General Rosecrans. 



CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 149 

Jul 11 12. General Garnett, with 4,585 Confederates, retreated from 
Laurel Hill through Tucker County, pursued by General Morris with 3,000 
men. 

July 12. Beverly was occupied by McClellan's forces, and a Confeder- 
ate force, under Colonel Scott, retreated over Cheat Mountain toward 
Staunton. 

July 13. Colonel Pegram surrendered six miles from Beverly to 
McClellan's army. 

July 13. Battle of Corrick's Ford, in Tucker County. Garnett was 
killed and his army routed by Federals under General Morris. 

July 13. General Lew Wallace with a Federal force advanced from 
Keyser and captured Romney. 

July 15. Harper's Ferry was evacuated by the Confederates. 

July 16. Skirmish at Barboursville, Cabell County. The Confederates 
were defeated. 

July 17. Scarry Creek skirmish. Colonel Patton, with 1200 Confeder- 
ates, defeated an equal number of Federals under Colonel Norton. 

July 20. General W. W. Loring was placed in command of the Confed- 
erate forces in Northwestern Virginia. 

August 1. General R. E. Lee was sent to take command of Confederate 
forces in West Virginia. 

Auf/iiM 11. General John B. Floyd took command of Confederate 
troops in the Kanawha Valley. 

August 13. A Federal force was sent from Grafton into Tucker 
County, capturing 15 prisoners, 90 guns, 150 horses and cattle and 15000 
rounds of ammunition. 

August 25. The Confederates were defeated in a skirmish at Piggot's 
Mill. 

August 26. Fight at Cross Lanes, near Summerville. While the Fed- 
erals were eating breakfast they were attacked and defeated by General 
Floyd. 

September 1. Skirmish at Blue Creek. 

September 2. Skirmish near Hawk's Nest in Fayette County. General 
Wise with 1,250 men attacked the Federals of equal force, but was repulsed. 

September 10. Battle of Carnifex Ferry. 

Septeiaher 12. Skirmish at Cheat Mountain Pass, near Huttonsville. 
The Confederates under General Lee were repulsed in their attempt to fall 
upon the rear of the Federals. 

September 13. Fight on Cheat Mountain. The Confederates were de- 
feated. General Lee was foiled in his attempt on Elk Water. 

September 14. Second skirmish at Elk Water. The Confederates were 
again unsuccessful. 

September 15. The Confederates again were foiled in their attempt to 
advance to the summit of Cheat Mountain. 

September 16. Skirmish at Princeton, Mercer County. 

Septetiiljer 24. Skirmish at Hanging Rocks, in Hampshire County. The 
Federals were defeated. 

September 24. Skirmish at Mechanicsburg Gap, Hampshire County. 
The Federals were defeated. 

September 25. Colonel Cantwell defeated the Confederates under Col- 
onel Angus McDonald and captured Romney, but was afterwards forced to 
retreat. 



150 CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR. 

September 27. Captain Isaiah Hall was defeated by Confederate guer- ''• 
rillas at High Log Cabin Run, Wirt County. 

October 3. Fight at Greenbrier River. The Federals were repulsed 
after severe fighting, but the Confederates fell back to the summit of the 
AUeghanies. 

October 16. Skirmish near Bolivar Heights. About 500 Confederates 
under Turner Ashby attacked 600 Federals under Colonel John W. Geary. 
The Confederates were defeated. 

October 19. There was skirmishing on New River, with various results. 

October 23. Skirmishing on the Gauley between detachments of Fed- 
erals and Confederates. 

October 23. Colonel J. N. Clarkson, with a raiding force of Confeder- 
ates, unsuccessfully attacked a steamer on the Kanawha. 

October 26. Colonel Alexander Monroe, with 27 Hampshire County 
militia, attacked and defeated a large Federal force at Wire Bridge, on 
South Branch of the Potomac. 

October 26. General Kelley with 3,000 Federals defeated Colonel _ 
McDonald's militia and captured Romney. 

November 1. Commencement of a series of skirmishes for three days, 
near Gauley Bridge. 

November 10. Skirmishes at Blake's Farm and Cotton Hill, with attend- 
ant movements, occupying two days. 

November 10. Fight at Guyandotte. J. C. Wheeler, with 150 recruits, 
was surprised and cut to pieces by Confedei-ate raiders under J. N. Clark- 
son. Among the Union prisoners was Uriah Payne, of Ohio, who was the 
first to piant the United States flag on the walls of Monterey, Mexico. 
Troops soon crossed to Guyandotte from Ohio and the Rebels retreated. A 
portion of the town was burned by the Federals. 

November 12. Skirmish on Laurel Creek. 

November 14. Skirmish near McCoy's Mill. 

November 30. A detachment of Union troojjs was attacked by guerrillas 
on the South Branch, above Romney. The Federals retreated, with three "~ 
wounded and a loss of six horses. 

November 30. Skirmish near the mouth of Little Capon, in Morgan - 
County. Captain Dyche defeated the Rebels. 

December 13. Battle at Camji Alleghany. The Federals were defeated 
with a loss of 137 in killed and wounded. 

December 15. Major E. B. Andrews set out on an expedition of six days 
to Meadow Bluff; defeated the Confederate skirmishers and captured a large 
amount of property. 

December 28. Union forces occupied the county seat of Raleigh. 

December 29. Sutton, Braxton County, was captured by 135 Rebels. 
The Union troops under Captain Rawland retreated to Weston. The Con- 
federates burned a portion of the town. 

December 30. Expedition into Webster County by 400 Union troops under 
Captain Anisansel. He pursued the Confederates who had burned Sutton; 
overtook them at Glades; defeated them; killed 22 and burned 29 houses be- 
lieved to belong to Rebel bushwhackers. 

1S©2. 
January 3. Fight at Bath, in Morgan county, continuing two days. 
The Confederates under Stonewall Jackson victorious. 



CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 151 

January 3. Major George Webster, with 700 Union troops, marched 
from Huttonsville to Huntersville, in Pocahontas County, drove out 250 
Confederates, captured and destroyed military stores worth $30,000. These 
were the iirst Federals in Huntersville. 

Jamiary 4. Skirmish at Sir John's Run, Morgan County. The fight 
continued late into the night. The Federals retreated. 

January 4. Skirmish at Slanesville, Hampshire County. A squad of ^ 
Union troops under Captain Sauls was ambushed and routed. Captain Sauls 
was wounded and taken prisoner. The Confederates were under Captain 
Isaac Kuykendall. 

January 5. On or about January 5 the village of Prenchburg, six miles 
from Romney, was burned by order of General Lander on the charge that 
the peojjle harbored Rebel bushwhackers. 

January 5. Big Capon Bridge, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, was - 
destroyed by Confederates under Stonewall Jackson. 

January 7. Fight at Blue's Gap, Hamjishire County, in which the Con- - 
federates were defeated and lost two cannon — the same guns captured at 
Bridge No. 21 by the Confederates, June 19, 1861. 

January 10. The Federal troops evacuated Romney. '^ 

January 11. Romney occupied by troops under Stonewall Jackson. 

January 14. The seat of Logan County was burned by Union troops 
under Colonel E. Siber. 

Jamiary 31. Confederates evacuated Romney by order of the Seci'etary ^ 
of War of the Confederate States. 

January 31. Stonewall Jackson, indignant at the interference with his . 
plans by the Secretary of War, in recalling troops from Romney, tendered 
his resignation. He was persuaded by Governor Letcher, General Johns- 
ton and others to recall it. 

February 2. Confederates at Springfield, Hampshire County, were de- - 
feated by General Lander. 

February 8. Skirmish at the mouth of Blue Stone. Colonel William E. 
Peters, with 225 Confederates, was attacked by an equal force. The Fed- 
erals retreated. 

Februari/ 12. Fight at Moorefield, in which the Confederates retreated. 

February 14. Confederates driven from Bloomery Gap, in Morgan 
County. 

February 16. The Union troojjs were defeated at Bloomery Gap and 
compelled to retreat. 

February 26. The Patterson Creek Bridge, in Mineral County, was ' 
burned by Rebel guerrillas. 

March 3. Skirmish at Martinsburg. 

Ajwil 12. Raid from Fairmont to Boothville by Captain J. H. Showal- 
ter, who was ordered by General Kelley to capture or kill John Righter, 
John Anderson, David Barker, Brice Welsh, John Lewis, John Knight and 
Washington Smith, who wei'e agents sent by Governor Letcher into north- 
western Virginia to raise recruits for the Confederacy. Captain Showalter 
killed three men of Righter's company. 

April 17. Defeat of the Webster County guerrillas, known as Dare 
Devils, by Major E. B. Andrews, who marched from Summerville to Addi- 
son with 200 Federals. There were several skirmishes between April 17 
and April 21. Several houses belonging to the guei-rillas were burned. 



152 CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 

Ajtril 18. An expedition was sent by General Schenck to clear the 
North Fork and Senaca in Pendleton County of Rebel bushwhackers. 

April 18. Colonel T. M. Harris skirmished with Rebel bushwhackers 
in Webster County, killing 5 and burning 5 houses. 

Ajjril 23. Skirmish at Gra.ssy Lick, in Hampshire County. Confeder- 
ate bushwhackers under Captain Umbaugh, who held a commission from - 
Governor Letcher, concealed themselves in the house of Peter Poling and 
fired upon Colonel S. W. Downey's scouting party, killing three. Troops 
were sent from Romney and Mooretield and burned the house, after mor- 
tally wounding its owner. 

May 1. Lieutenant Fitzhugh with 200 Federals was attacked near 
Princeton, Mercer County, and fought thirteen hours while retreating 23 
miles, losing 1 killed, 12 wounded. 

May 1. Skirmish at Camp Creek on Blue Stone River. Lieutenant 
Bottsford was attacked by 300 Rebels and lost 1 killed and 20 wounded. 
The Confederates were repulsed with 6 killed. 

May 7. Skirmish near Wardensville, Hardy County. Troops under 
Colonel S. W. Downey attacked Captain Umbaugh a Rebel guerrilla, killing 
him and 4 of his men, wounding 4 and capturing 12. The fight occurred at 
the house of John T. Wilson. 

May 8. Major B. F. Skinner led a scouting party through Roane and 
Clay counties from May 8 to May 21, skirmishing with Rebel guerrillas. 

May 10. Federal scouts were decoyed into a house near Franklin, 
Pendleton County, and were set upon by bushwhackers and defeated with 
one killed. Two days later re-enforcements arrived, killed the owner of 
the house, and burned the building. 

May 15. Fight at Wolf Creek, near New River, between Captain E. 
Schache and a squad of Confederates. The latter were defeated with 6 
killed, 2 wounded and 6 prisoners. 

May 16. The Confederates captured Princeton, Mercer County. 
May 16. Skirmish at Wytheville Cross Roads. The Federals were 
attacked and defeated. 

May 17. Federals captured Princeton with 15 prisoners. 
May 23. Battle of Lewisburg, Greenbrier County. General Heth with 
3000 Confederates attacked the forces of Colonel George Crook, 1300. The 
Confederates were stampeded and fled in panic, losing 4 cannon, 200 stands 
of arms, 100 prisoners, 38 killed, 66 wounded. The Union loss was 13 killed 
53 wounded. 

May 26. Skirmish near Franklin, Pendleton County. 
May 29. Fight near Wardensville. Confederates were attacked and 
defeated with 2 killed, by Colonel Downey. 

May 30. A Federal force under Colonel George R. Latham attacked 
guerrillas on Shaver Fork of Cheat River, defeating them, killing 4 and 
wounding several. 

June 8. Major John J. Hoffman attacked and defeated a squad of Con- 
federate Cavalry at Muddy Creek, near Blue Sulphur Springs, killing 3. 

June 24. At Baker's Tavern, Hardy County, Capt. Chas. Farnsworth 
was tired upon by Rebel bushwhackers. He burned several houses in the 
vicinity as a warning to the people not to harbor bushwhackers. 

June 24, Colonel J. D. Hines started upon a three days scout through 
Wyoming County. He defeated and dispersed Confederate guerrillas 
known as Flat Top Copperheads. 



CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR. 153 

July 25. Lieutenant J. W. Miller, at Summerville, was attacked at 
daybreak by 200 Confedei-ate cavalry and nearly all his men were captured. 

Av(/v.<it 2. A scouting jiarty of Federals under Captain I. Stough left 
Meadow Bluff for the Greenbrier river. On August 4, near Haynes Ferry, 
he was defeated by the Confederates, losing 2 wounded. The Rebels had 
5 killed. 

August 5. Federals under Lieutenant Wlntzer invaded Wyoming 
County. In a fight at the county seat he was defeated with a loss of 19 
missing. 

August 6. Rebels attacked Pack's Ferry, near the mouth of Blue 
Stone, and were driven off by Major Comly. The Confederates, 900 in num- 
ber, were commanded by Colonel G. C. Wharton. 

August 7. Rebel cavalry was defeated in a skirmish at Horse Pen 
Creek. 

Augxist 14. General John D. Imboden, with 300 Confederates, set out 
from Franklin, Pendleton County, on a raid to Rowlesburg to destroy the 
railroad bridge across Cheat River. His advance was discovered and he 
did not venture beyond St. George, in Tucker County, where he robbed the 
postoffice and set out on his retreat. 

August 18. Skirmish near Coi-rick's Ford, in Tucker County, between 
Federal scouts and Confederates under Captain George Imboden. 

August 22. The Confederate General, A. J. Jenkins, with 550 men, set 
out from Salt Sulphur Springs, in Monroe county, on an extensive raid. 
He passed through Greenbrier and Pocahontas Counties into Randolph, 
through Upshur, Lewis, Gilmer, Roane, Jackson, crossed the Ohio, and 
returned through the Kanawha Valley, marching 500 miles, capturing 300 
prisoners and destroying the public records in many counties. 

August 30. The Confederates under General Jenkins captured Buck- 
hannon after the small Federal garrison fled. He secured and destroyed 
large quantities of military stores, including 5,000 stands of arms. He had 
intended to attack Beverly, but feared his force was too small. He crossed 
Rich Mountain to the head of the Buckhannon River, traveling 30 miles 
through an almost pathless forest and fell on Buckhannon by surprise. 

August 31. Weston, in Lewis County, was captured by Confederates 
under General J'enkins. 

- September 1. General Jenkins captured Glenville, Gilmer County, the 
Federal garrison retreating after firing once. 

September 2. Colonel J. C. Rathbone, with a Federal force stationed at 
Spencer, Roane County, surrendered to General Jenkins without a fight. 

September 3. At Ripley, in Jackson County, General Jenkins captured 
$5,525 belonging to the United States Government. The Union soldiers 
stationed at the town retreated as the Confederates apjii'oached. 

September 11. General W. W. Loring, with a strong force of Confeder 
ates, having invaded the Kanawha Valley, attacked the Federal troops un- 
der General J. A. J. Lightburn at Fayetteville and routed them. This was 
the beginning of an extensive Confederate raid which swept the Union 
troops out of the Kanawha Valley. Military stores to the value of a mil- 
lion dollars fell into the hands of the Rebels, who destroyed what they 
could not carry away. 

Sejiteinber 13. General Lightburn, in his retreat down the Kanawha 
Valley, was overtaken at Charleston by General Loring and was compelled 
to abandon large stores in his flight to the Ohio. 



154 CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 

September 15. General Loring, at Charle.ston, issued a proclamation to 
the people of the Kanawha Valley and neighboring parts of the State, in- 
forming them that the armies of the Confederacy had sot them free from 
the danger and oppression of Federal bayonets, and he called on them to 
rise and maintain their freedom, and su^jport the Government which had 
brought about their emancipation. 

Septettiber 20. General Jenkins' forces, having re-crossed the Ohio 
River into the Kanawha Valley, skirmished with Federals at Point Pleas- 
ant. 

September 27. Skirmish at Buffalo, twenty miles above Point Pleas- 
ant. Colonel John A. Turley attacked and defeated the Confederates, a 
portion of the force under Jenkins. 

September 28. Skirmish at Standing Stone. 

September 30. Fight at Glenville. Fifty Fedei-als attacked and defeated 
65 Confederate cavalry. 

October 1. Fight near Shepherdstown between Federals under Gen- 
eral Pleasanton and Confederates under Colonel W. H. F. Lee. Both sides 
claimed the victory. 

October 2. Federals under Captain W. H. Boyd attacked and 
destroyed General Imboden's camp at Blue's Gap, in Hampshire County. 

October 4. Confederates were captui'ed at Blues" Gap. 

October 4. General Imboden attacked and defeated the Federal Guard 
at Little Capon Bridge, in Morgan County and destroyed the bridge. 

October 4. The Federal guard at Pawpaw, Morgan County, was cap- 
tured by Imboden. 

October 6. Slfirmish at Big Birch. 

October 16. General Loring was superseded by General John Echols as 
commander of Confederate forces in West Virginia. 

October 20. Skirmish at Hodgeville. 

October 29. Fight near Petersburg, Grant County, between Federals 
under Lieutenant Quirk and Rebel cattle raiders who were endeavoring to 
drive stock out of the South Branch Valley. The raiders were defeated, 
and lost 170 cattle. 

October 31. Skirmish near Kanawha Falls. 

November 9. St. George, Tucker County, was captured by Imboden 
together with the garrison of 31 Federals under Captain William Hall.- 
Imboden had set out, November 9, from South Fork, in Pendleton county, 
to destroy the railroad bridge at Rowlesburg, but learning that troops from 
Beverly were moving in his rear, he retreated, passing up Glade Fork of 
Cheat River, through a dense and pathless wilderness. He reached South 
Fork November 14. He had 310 men, and carried howitzers on mules. 

November 9. Skirmish on South Fork. Genei-al Kelley moved from 
Keyser and destroyed Imboden's camp, which he had left in charge of Lieu- 
tenant R. L. Doyle while Imboden was absent on his raid toward Rowles- 
burg. 

Niyvember 9. Captain G. W. Gilmore with a Federal force invaded 
Greenbrier County, capturing a wagon train and 9 men. He returned 
November 11. 

November 24. A force of 75 Federals under Captain Cogswell marched 
from Sbarpsbui'g to Shephei'dstown and captured Burke's guerrillas, killing 
Burke. 

November 26, An expedition moved forward under W. H. Powell 



CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 155 

from Summerville to Cold Knob, and with only 20 men defeated the Confed- 
erates at Sinking Creek and took 500 prisoners. 

December 3. Confederates at Moorefield were defeated with loss of 12 by 
Lieut H. A. Myers with 100 men. 

December 11. Lieutenant R. C. Pendergrast with 27 men defeated a 
detachment of Confederates at Darkesville, Berkeley County. 

December 12. In a skirmish near Bunker Hill, Berkeley County, a 
squad of Federals cajjtured 12 of Ashby's cavaliy. 

December 22. General Imboden attacked a supply train near Wardens- 
ville. Hardy County, capturing it. He lost six men. The Federals lost 20. 

December 25. Sixty Confederates under Captain Boyle were defeated by 
Lieutenant Vermilyea, with 10 men, at Charlestown. 

1SS3. 

Jamim'v 3. Fight near Moorefield. Federals under Colonel James 
Washburn were attacked by Genei-al William E. Jones. A second Union 
force, under Colonel James Mulligan, advanced from Petersburg, attacked 
the Confederates in the rear and defeated them. 

January 3. Petersburg, Grant County, was occu]jied by Confederates 
after it was evacuated by the Federals, who burned military stores to the 
value of $20,000, which they could not move. 

January 5. A supply train belonging to General Milroy's army was 
attacked and partly destroyed by Confederates under Captain John H. 
McNeill, four miles from Moorefield. 

Janvarij 20. General Lee wrote to Imboden, outlining a policy of war 
for West Virginia and urged him to carry it out. Among other things, the 
municipal officers of the Re-organized Government of Virginia, called by 
Lee "the Pierpont government," were to be captured whenever possible; 
and Imboden was instructed to ' ' render the position of sheriff as dangerous 
a position as possible." 

January 22. Skirmish in Pocahontas County between Federals under 
Major H. C. Flesher and Confederates under Colonel Fontaine. Success 
was equally divided. 

February 5. Scout by 70 Federals under Major John McMahan from 
Camp Piatt through Wyoming County. The men were out three days and 
nearly froze to death. 

February 10. Captain C. T. Ewing left Beverly with a Union force of 
135 for a two days' scout through Pocahontas County. He captured 13 
prisoners, 15 horses and 185 cattle. 

February 12. Skirmish near Smithfield, Jefferson County. A Union 
scouting party w as attacked by Captain R. W. Baylor's cavalry, and lost six 
men, killed, wounded and captured. Federal reinforcements came up and 
retook the prisoners and captured Lieutenant George Baylor and several 
men. 

February 12. Major John McMahan set out for a four days' scout from 
Camp Piatt through Boone, Logan and Wyoming Counties. He captured 
four prisoners. 

February 16. Confederate guerrillas captured a wagon train and guard 
near Romney. 

March 2. General John D. Imboden wrote General Lee, outlining his 
plan for invading West Virginia. The formidable raids under Imboden and 
Jones in April and May, 1863, were planned by Imboden, and the first men- 



156 CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 

tion of the plan to Lee seems to have been in the letter to that General on 
March 2. There was a three-fold object in view. First, it was designed to 
destroy as much of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as possible, and Im- 
boden believed he could destroy nearly all of it. Second, he expected to 
enlist "several thousand" recruits in West Virginia. Third, he wanted to 
establish Confederate authority in as much of the northwest as possible and 
retain it long enough to enable the people to take part in the Virginia State 
election in May. No hint is found in the letter that the Confederates would 
be able to establish themselves permanently west of the AUeghanies. Ex- 
cept the partial destruction of the railroad and the carrying away of several 
thousand horses and cattle, the great raid was a failure so far as benefit to 
the Confederacy was concerned. 

March 7. Skirmish at Green Spring Run, in Hampshire County. - 

March 28. Confederates were defeated at Hurricane Bridge, near the 
Kanawha, by Captain J. W. Johnson. 

March 30. Skirmish at Point Pleasant. Captain Carter, with a Union 
force of 60 men, was attacked by Confederates and besieged several hours 
in the CourtHouse. The Rebels retreated when Federal reinforcements 
appeared upon the opposite bank of the Ohio. 

April 5. Skirmish at Mud River. Captain Dove attacked and defeated 
Confederates under Captain P. M. Carpenter. 

April 6. Lieutenant Speer, with live wagons and 11 men, was captured 
near Burlington, Mineral County, by Confederates under McNeill. 

April 7. Federals under Captain Moore attacked the Confederates at 
Going's Ford, Hear Mooretield, defeated them and retook the wagons lost 
by Lieutenant Speer the day before. 

April 11. Colonel G. R. Latham moved from Beverly toward Franklin, 
Pendleton County, and occupied the town without opposition. He returned 
to Beverly after an absence of seven days. 

April 18. Fight in Harrison County. Colonel N. Wilkinson with a 
squad of Union troops captured Major Thomas D. Armstrong at Johnstown 
and scattered his forces on the head of Hacker's Creek. 

April 20. Imboden set forward with 3000 men on his great raid. Gen- 
eral W. E. Jones was sent through Hardy County to Oakland, Maryland, 
thence to move westward, destroying the railroad, while Imboden advanced 
through Randolph County toward Grafton, expecting to form a junction 
near that place with Jones, whence they would move west. The plan was 
•generally carried out. 

April 21. General Jones with 1300 men set forward on the great raid. 

April 24. Beverly was captured by Imboden. Colonel Latham with 
900 Federals retreated to Philippi, in Barbour County, over roads almost 
impassable for mud which in places was up to the saddle skirts. Imboden 
was unable to follow with artillery, but pursued with cavalry. General 
Roberts in command of the Union forces in the northwestern part of the 
State, called in all his outlying garrisons and retreated to Clarksburg. 
Colonel James Mulligan marched from Grafton with a Federal force and 
fought Imboden's troops in Barbour County, but hearing that General Jones 
was threatening Grafton, Mulligan fell back to defend that point. Im- 
boden moved slowly toward Buckhannon over roads so bad that in 
one day he could advance only two miles. 

April 25. Fight at Greenland Gap in Gi-ant County. Captain Mai'tin 
Wallace with less than 100 Federals held the pass five hours against the 



CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 157 

Rebel army, and surrendered only when driven into a church and the build- 
ing set on fire. 

Ajiril 26. General Jones attacked and captured Cranberry Summit, 
now Terra Alta, in Preston County. 

April 26. The Confederates attacked Rowlesburg for the jjurpose of 
destroying the railroad bridge and trestles. The town was defended by 
Major J. H. Showalter and 252 Union troops. General Jones did not 
lead the attack in person but remained at the bridge five miles above 
Rowlesburg where the Northwestern Pike crosses, for the purpose of burn- 
ing the structure as soon as the town was taken. But his attacking parties 
were rejiulsed, and he abandoned the attack and marched to Evansville, in 
Preston County, not knowing that the Federal garrison of Rowlesburg was 
in full retreat toward Pennsylvania. Thus the town escaped capture, 
although defenseless; and the great trestles, for the destruction of which 
General Lee had jjlanned so carefully, and the tunnel at Tunnelton, then 
the largest in the world, were saved; and the blow which would have jDara- 
lyzed the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for months, was not struck. 

April 27, The suspension bridge across Cheat River at Albrightsville, 
three miles from Kingwood, was cut down by the Confederates. The 
cables were severed with an axe. 

Ajn-il 27. Bridges and trestles on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad 
near Independence, Preston County, were burned by General Jones. 

April 27. Morgantown, Monongalia County, was surrendered to Gen- 
eral Jones by the citizens. Three citizens were shot near town by the 
Rebels. 

April 28. The susjiension bridge across the Monongahela river at Mor- 
gantown was set on tire by the Confederates, but they permitted the 
citizens to extinguish the fire before much damage was done. 

April 29. The Confederates under Imboden advanced to and occupied 
Buckhannon, in Upshur County. 

April 29. General Jones attacked and captured Fairmont, Marion 
County, after a sharp skirmish. He captured 260 prisoners. 

April 29. The large iron railroad bridge across the Monongahela above 
Fairmont, which cost over $400,000, was blown down with powder. The 
first blast of three kegs of powder placed under a pier, failed to move it, 
and the Confederates proceeded to burn the wood-work, considering it 
impossible to destroy the iron superstructure. But after several hours of 
undermining, a charge of powder threw the bridge into the river. 

April 29. Governor Pierijont's library at his home in Fairmont was 
burned by the Rebels. 

April 29. Colonel Mulligan, who had been in Barbour County fighting 
Imboden, came up and attacked the Confederates under Jones, while they 
were destroying the bridge above Fairmont, and sharp fight ensued. Mul- 
ligan saw that he could not save the bridge, and fell back to Grafton. 

Aiiril 30. Imboden lost 200 soldiers at Buckhannon by desertion, be- 
cause he would not permit them to steal horses for their private benefit. 

April 30. Skirmish at Bridgeport, Harbison County. General Jones 
captured 47 prisoners, burned a bridge and trestle, and run a freight train 
into the creek. 

May 2. General Jones occupied Philiiipi, and from there sent across 
the Alleghanies, by way of Beverly, several thousand cattle and horses 



158 CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR. 

taken from the people. On the same day he formed a junction with Im- 
boden's troops. 

May 2. Lieutenant G. M. Edgar, with a detachment of Confederates, 
was attacked by Federals at Lewisburg, Greenbrier County. He defeated 
them. 

May \. General Jones invested Clarksburg, where several thousand 
Union trooj^s had collected from the counties south of that place, but he did 
not make an attack. 

May 5. Imboden skirmished with a small Union force at Janelew, 
Lewis County. 

May 6. Imboden moved from Weston toward the southwest, Jones 
having moved west from Clarksburg toward Parkersburg. Uji to that 
time Imboden had collected 3,100 cattle from the country through which he 
had raided. 

May 6. Jones moved against West Union, in Doddridge county, but 
upon approaching the town he saw that the Union troops collected there 
were prepared to make a stand and fight, and he declined battle and moved 
on west. 

May 7. Jones cajitured Cairo, Ritchie County, and the small garrison 
at that place. 

May 8. Colonel James A. Galliher was tired upon by bushwhackers at 
Capon Bridge, Hampshire County. 

May 9. Jones burned 100,000 barrels of oil at the oil wells in Wirt 
County. The tanks broke and the crude peti-oleum flowed into the Little 
Kanawha River, took tire and the spectacle of a river in flames for miles 
was never before seen. The destruction of evci-y thing combustible along 
the river was complete. The Confederates advanced no nearer the Ohio. 
Both Imboden and Jones turned southward and eastward and recrossed the 
AUeghanies late in May. Instead of procuring "several thousand" 
recruits, as Imboden had expected, more soldiers were lost by desertion 
than were gained by recruits. General Lee expressed disappointment with 
the result, and Imboden excused the failure to increase his army by saying 
that th(> inhabitants of West Virginia were a "conquei-ed people," in fear 
of Northci'n bayonets, and not daring to espouse the Confederate cause. 

Mail 11'. Imboden defeated a small Union force near Summerville. 

Maij 19. Fayetteville, in Fayette County, was attacked by General 
McCausland, but after bombarding two days the Federals forced him to 
retreat. 

May 23. General B. S. Roberts was superseded by General William W. 
Averell in command of the Federal forces in the northern part of West Vir- 
ginia. General Roberts was relieved because he offered so little opposition 
to the advance of Jones and Imboden. When Imboden cx'ossed the moun- 
tains and took Beverly, the war department at Washington urged General 
Roberts to collect his forces and tight. To this General Roberts replied 
that the roads were so bad he could not move his troops. The answer from 
Washington was sarcastic, asking why the roads were too bad for him and 
yet good enough to enable the Rebels to move with considerable rapidity. 
From all accounts, the roads were worse than ever before or since. Imbo- 
den left Weston with twelve horses dragging each cannon, and then found 
it necessary to throw away ammunition and the extra wheels for the guns, 
in order to get along at all, and then sometimes being able to make no more 
than five miles a day. When General Averell took command he changed 



CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR. 159 

3000 infantry to cavah-y, and trained it to the highest proficiency, and with 
it did some of the finest fighting of the war. The Confederates feared him 
and moved in his vicinity with the greatest caution. His headquarters at 
first were at Weston. 

June 7. General Lee ordered Imboden into Hampshire County to 
destroy railroad bridges, jireliminary to the Gettysburg camjiaign. 

June 10. General Averell urged that the mass of mountains forming 
the great ramjiart overlooking the Valley of Virginia should be fortified 
and held. He referred to the Alleghany, Cheat Mountain, Rich Mountain 
and others about the sources of the Greenbrier, Cheat, Tygart and Elk 
Rivers. In his letter to General Schenck he said: "It has always ap- 
peared to me that the importance of holding this mass of mountains, so full 
of fastnesses, and making a vast re-entrant angle in front of the enemy, has 
never been aiDjireciated. " 

June 14. A portion of General Milroy's forces were captured by Con- 
federates at Bunker Hill, near Martinsburg. 

June 14. Martinsburg was captured by Confederates under General A. 
G. Jenkins. General Daniel Tyler, who had occui3ied the town, retreated. 

June 16. Romuey was captured by Imboden. 

June 17. South Branch Bridge, at the mouth of South Branch, was 
burned by Imboden, who advanced through Hampshire County, forming 
the extreme left of General Lee's army in the Gettysburg cam^iaign. 

June 24. A Union scouting party from Grafton to St. George had a 
skirmish with guerrillas, killing five and cai^turing several horses. 

June 26. Skirmish at Long Creek, in the Kanawha Valley. Captain 
C. E. Hambleton, with 75 men, was attacked and defeated by Confederates 
under Major R. A. Bailey, with a loss of 29 prisoners and 45 horses. 

June 29. General William L. Jackson, with 1,200 Confederates, moved 
against Beverly to attack the forces under Averell. 

July 2. The Confederates under Jackson attacked the troops at Beverly 
and were repulsed. 

July 4. The Confederates under W. L. Jackson, who had fallen back 
from Beverly, were attacked and routed at Huttonsville by General 
Averell. 

July 13. An expedition set out from Payetteville, crossed into Virginia 
and cut the railroad at Wythville, being absent twelve days, skirmishing 
with small parties of Confederates. 

JuUj 14. Skirmish on* the road between Harper's Perry and Charles- 
town, resulting in the defeat of the Confederates. 

July 14. Confederates defeated in a skirmish at Falling Waters. 

July 15. Colonel C. H. Smith defeated Confederates near Charlestown. 

July 17. Skirmish at North Mountain, Berkeley County. The Rebels 
were defeated, with 17 captured. 

July 19. Fight near Martinsburg, in which General Bradley T. John- 
son was defeated by General Averell, who had just arrived from Beverly 
and was opiwsing the western wing of General Lee's army retreating from 
Gettysburg. Johnson was destroying the railroad when Averell drove him 
away, capturing 20 prisoners. 

August 5. General Averell moved from Winchester through Hardy 
County on his expedition to Greenbrier County. 

August 5. Skirmish at Cold Spring Gap, in Hardy County, by a portion 



160 CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 

of AverelFs force under Captain Von Koenig, and a detachment of Im- 
boden's command. The Confederates lost 11 men cajitured. 

Auffiist 6. Averell sent a squad of cavalry to Harper's Mill, from Lost 
River, Hardy County. Several prisoners were taken, but the Federals 
subsequently fell into an ambuscade and lost the jirisoners and had 13 men 
captured and 4 wounded. The Confederates had 3 killed and 5 wounded. 

Aufjvst 19. The Federals destroyed the saltpeter works near Franklin. 

Avffust 21. Wilkinson's Brigade skirmished with Confederate guer- 
rillas near Glenville, killing 4. 

AuguM 22. Confederates were defeated by Averell near Huntersville. 

AvfjKut 25 Averell crossed fron. Huntersville to Jackson River and 
destroyed saltpeter works. 

Avr/ust 26. Battle of Rocky Gap, in Greenbrier County. Averell with 
1300 men fought General Sam Jones With over 2000. The battle continued 
two days, when Averell's ammunition ran short and he retreated to Bev- 
erly. His loss in the battle was 218, the Confederate loss 162. This was 
one of the most hotly contested battles in West Virginia. Captain Von 
Koenig was killed. It has been said it was done by one of his men whom 
he had struck while on the march. It is also said that this soldier did not 
know Averell by sight, and supposed it was Averell who had struck him, 
and when he shot Von Koenig, sujoposed he was shooting Averell. 

Avfiunt 26. Lieutenant Dils with 40 Federals killed 3 bushwhackers 
ten miles from Sutton, Braxton County. 

August 26. Union troops were fired uj^on by bushwackers on Elk 
River, five miles below Sutton. 

August 27. Forty guerrillas under Cunningham attacked a Federal 
detachment under Captain C. J. Harrison, on Ellc River, near Sutton. The 
guerrillas were defeated. 

August 27. In a skirmish with Confederate guerrillas on Cedar Creek, 
fifteen miles from Glenville, Gilmer County, Captain Simpson defeated 
them, killing 4. 

September 4. Skirmish at Petersburg Gap, in Grant County. A Union 
detachment marching from Petersburg to Moorefield was defeated. 

Septeniljer 11. Confederates under McNeill made a daybreak attack 
upon Major W. E. Stephens near Moorefield and defeated him, killing or 
wounding 80 men and taking 138 prisoners. The Federals were endeavor- 
ing to surprise McNeill, but were surprised by him. The Rebels had 3 
wounded. 

September 15. One hundred Federals under Captain Jones attacked 70 
Confederates atSmithfield, caiituring 11. Cajjtain Jones was wounded. 

Septemljer 20. A Federal picket on the Senaca Road, where it crosses 
Shaver Mountain, was attacked and defeated by the Confederates who 
lost 4. 

September 24. A scoutitig jiarty of 70 sent from Beverly by Averell lost 
2 men in a skirmish at Grcciiljiicr Bridge. 

September 25. Sixty CoiilVdfiatos under Major D. B. Langof Imboden's 
command, surprised and caiilured 30 of Averell's men at the crossing of 
Cheat River by tlic Sciiai.i I rail. 

October 2. A in'tilion was signed and forwarded to the Confederate 
Government, asking lor the removal of General Sam Jones from the com- 
mand in Western Virginia, and the assignment of some o^her General in his 
place. Among the signers were members of the Virginia Legislature from 



CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 161 

the West Virginia counties of Mercer, Roane, Putnam, Logan, Boone and 
Wyoming. There were many other signatures. Those counties were rep- 
resented in the Virginia and the West Virginia Legislature at the same 
time. The jjetition charged incomjietency against General Jones. He was 
soon after relieved of command in West Virginia. 

October 7. Confederates under Harry Gilmor defeated Captain G. D. 
Summers and 40 men at Summit Point, Jefferson County. Captain Sum- 
mers was Icilled. 

October 13. Fight at BuUtown, Braxton County. Confederates under 
W. L. Jackson were defeated with a loss in killed and wounded of 50 by 
Captain W. H. Mattingly, who was sverely wounded in the action. 

October 14. When Jackson retreated from Bulltown he was pursued by 
Averell's troops, who came up with him; and defeated him at Salt Lick 
Bridge. 

October 15. Twenty-seven of Harry Gilmor's men who had been sent 
to burn the Back Creek Bridge, were captured in a skirmish near Hedge- 
ville by Federals under Colonel Pierce. 

October 18. Attack on Charlestown by 1200 men under Imboden. The 
Confederates cajitured 434 of Colonel Simpson's command and then retreat- 
ed, hotly pursued. Some of Imboden's infantry marched 48 miles on the 
day of the tight, thus beating the record made by Napoleon's soldiers, who 
marched 36 miles and fought a battle in one day. 

NoL-cinbcr 1. General Averell moved from Beverly into Pocahontas 
County with about 2,500 men, and General Duflie moved from Charleston 
to co-operate with him. They expected to form a junction in Greenbrier 
County. 

November 3. Skirmish at Cackleytown, Pocahontas County. Confed- 
erates were defeated by Averell. 

November 5. Confederates were defeated by Averell at Hillsboro, Poca- 
hontas County, and at Mill Point. 

November 6. Battle of Droop Mountain, Pocahontas County. Averell 
attaclfed General Echols, who had 1700 men strongly posted on the summit 
of a mountain. It was a stubborn contest and the Federals gained the day 
by a flank movement, Echols retreating with a loss of 275 men and three 
cannon. Averell's loss was 119. The Confederates made their escape 
through Lewisburg a few hours before General Duffle's army arrived at 
that i^lace to cut them off, while Averell was pursuing. By blockading the 
road, Echols secured his retreat into Monroe County. Averell attempted 
pursuit, but received no support from Duffle's troops, who were worn out, 
and the pursuit was abandoned. 

November 6. Confedei-ates at Little Sewell Mountain wei'e defeated by 
General Duffle. 

Ntivemtjer 7. Lewisburg was occupied by General Duffle. 

Ndvcmbrj' 7. In a night skirmish at Muddy Creek the Confederates 
were defeated by General Duffle's troops. 

November 8. A squad of Confederates driving cattle was attacked on 
Second Creek, on the road to Union, in Monroe County, and lost 110 cattle. 

November 12. The Saltpeter Works in Pendleton County, used by the 
Confederates in making gunpowder, were destroyed by Averell's ti'oops. 

November 15. General Imboden sent Captain Hill into Barbour County 
to waylay wagon trains on the road from Philippi to Beverly. 

November 16. At Burlington, in Mineral County, 100 Confederates un- 



162 CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 

der McNeill captured a train of SO wagons and 200 horses, killing two men, 
wounding 10 and tal<in,Lr 20 jtrisoners. The wagon train was under an 
escort of 90 men, coiiiiiiaiult'd by Cajitain Jetfers. 

December H. Axi'icjl inovtMl from Keyser with Federal troops upon his 
great Salem raid, which he concluded on Christmas Day. He had 2500 cavalry, 
and artillery. It was a momentous issue. General Burnsides was besieged 
at Knoxville, T('nnes«(»e, by General Longstreet, and it was feared that no 
re-inforcemcnts cdiild i-cacli P>\iinsid(\s in time to save him. The only hope 
lay in cutting Fjciiij^'-sI rrct's line of supplies and compi'lling him to raise the 
siege. This was the riiilroad troiu Richmond to Knoxville, passing through 
Salem, .sixty miles west Lynchburg. Averell was ordered to cut this road 
at Salem, no matter what the result to his army. He must do it, even if he 
lost every man he had in the execution of his work. An army of 2500 could 
be sacriticcd lo save Burnsides' larger army. With his veteran cavalry, 
mostly Wi'sl X'iiLriiiians, and equal to the be.st the world ever saw, Averell 
left Kcysci- Di'ccuiber s, isC.;!, and moved through Petersburg, Monterey, 
Back Creek, Gatcwood's, Callighan's, Sweet Sulphur Springs Valley, New- 
castle to Salem, alnidsl as straight as an arrow, for much of the way fol- 
lowing a route nearly iiaralii-l with the summit of the AUeghanies. Four 
ConlcdiTate armies, any of them larger than his, lay between him and 
Sahiii, and to the number of 12,000 they marched, counter-marched, and 
iiiancux-ercd to etfect his capture. Still, eight days he I'ode toward Salem 
in terrible stoinis, lording and swimming overflowing mountain streams, 
crossing mounlains and pursuing ravines by night and by day, and on 
December 10 he st luclc Salem, and the blow was felt throughout the South- 
ern Confederacy. The last halt on the downward march was made at Sweet 
Sulphur Valley. The horses wei'e fed and the soldiers made coffee and 
rested two hours. Then at 1 o'clock on the afternoon of December 15, they 
mounted for tbe dash into Salem. 

Prom the top of Sweet Springs Mountain a splendid view was opened 
before them. Averell, in his official report, speaks of- it thus: "Seventy 
miles to the eastward the Peaks of Otter reared their summits above the 
Blue Ridge, and all the space l)etween was tilled with a billowing ocean of 
hills and mountains, while behind us the great AUeghanies, coming from 
north with the grandeur of innuniei-able tints, swept past and faded in the 
southern horizon." Newcastle was passed during the night. Averell's ad- 
vance guard were mounteil on licet horses and carried repeating rifles. 
They allowed no one to go ahead of them. They captured a squad of Con- 
federates now and then, and learned from these that Averell's advance was 
as yet unsuspected in that quarter. It was, however, known at that time at 
Lynchburg and Richmond, but it was not known at what i)oint he was 
striking. Valuable military stores were at Salem, and at that very time a 
train-load of soldiers was hurrying up from Lynchburg to guard the place. 
When within four miles of Salem a troop of Confederates were captured. 
They had come out to see if they could learn anything of Averell, and from 
them it was ascertained that the soldiers from Lynchburg were hourly ex- 
pected at Salem. This was 9 o'clock on the morning of December 10. Aver- 
ell's men had ridden twenty hours without rest. Averell saw that no time 
was to be lost. Prom this point it became a race between Averell's cavalry 
and the Lynchbui'g train loaded with Confederates, each trying to i-each 
Salem first. The whistling of the engine in t he distance was heard, and 
Averell saw that he would be too late if he advanced with bis whole force. 



CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR. 



So he set forward with three hundred and fifty horsemen and two rifled 
cannon and wei^t into Salem on a dead run, people on the road and streets 
mS ri"ht and left to let the squadron pass. The tram loaded with Con- 
Federates was approaching the depot. Averell wheeled ^ cannon mtopos,- 
tfon and fired tivee times in rapid succession, the ^^s* b^" -J^Jf,',^/^* i^_ 
next mssine through the train almost from end to end, and tlie tnuci loi 
Lwin- cTosVXr The locomotive was uninjured, and it reversed and 
Wked ui) the i"al in a hurry, disappearing in the direction whenc^e it had 
come A^ierel cu hJ telegraph wiJes. The.work of destroying the mi 1^ 
Swaf begun. When the remainder of the force came up, detachments 
were lent four miles east and twelve miles west to destroy the railroad and 
Sges The destruction was complete. They burned 100-000 1. i,els of 
shelfed corn; 10,000 bushels of wheat; 2,000 barrels of fiour; 50,000 bushels 
of oats-ToOO sacks of salt; 100 wagons; large quantities of clothing, eatlier 
cottS'barness shoes; and the bridges, bndge- timber, trestles tjej 
everything that would burn, even twisting the rails, up and down the laii 

'"'^tCm™ December 16, Averell set out upon his return. Confeder 
■^ i ' , •, .. £ „ii e.;^r.o t^ r^nt. h m off. Crenerals i-i itzhugi 



Such a storm liaa seiciom or uevt^i ucci^ a^^^ mi —^ \ .,-, .„„. 
soldiers' feet froze till they could not wear boots. They wrapped then fee 
in sacks Averell among the rest. For sixty miles they followed a loacl 
which w^s one unbroken sheet of ice. Horses fell and -'^PP ^f l-mse^^^^^^^ 
or broke the riders' legs. The artillery horses could not pull the cannon, 
and the soldiers did that work, 100 men dragging each gun up the moun- 
Sis Gohig down the mountains a tree was dragged behind each cannon 
o hold U in 'the road. The Confederates were hard in pursuit and tW 
was fighting nearly all the way through Pocahontas County, and at Ediay 
^ b J , Ravrpi-lv was reached December 24, and 



o- down tne mountains a wwtj waa ixiagg^^^ ^^^...^ -— - 

to hold it in "the road. The Confederates were hard in pursuit and there 
was fighting nearly all the way through Pocahontas County, and at Ediay 
r severe skirmish was fought. Beverly was reached December 24, and 
thence the army marched to Webster, in Taylor County, and was carried 
lueiice ''"« ^'i'^ ^J _ __, .^ ,, ,,-,^,t^ 11Q ™<^n on the expedition, one am- 



thence the armv marcnea to vveusiei, m xajn^j- v^v^^^-j, --. 

by tiain to Marthisburg. Averell lost 119 men on the expedition, one am- 
V.iilance and a few wagons, but no artillery. , ^^ , i 

XeS« 11 Confederates under Captain William Thurmond attacked 
General Scammon at Big Sewell and were repulsed. General Scammon 
was marchhig to attract the attention of the Confederate General Echols, 
and thereby assist Averell on his Salem raid. ^ ^ , i ^- + i 

D^ember 11. Confederates under General W. L. Jackson were defeated 
at Marlin Bottom, Pocahontas County, by Colonel Augustus Mom- who 
marched into that cou.ntry to assist Averell, by attracting the attention of 

*^^ SSer 12. Lewisburg was taken by General Scammon, General 
Echols retreating. 



164 CIIRONOLOOY ()!<' THE WAR. 

December 12. Troops sent by General Scammon drove Confederates 
across the Greenbrier River. 

Deremher 13. Skirmish at Hurricane Bridare. Confederates attacked a 
small force of Federals under Captain Yoiiui,'. Rolh sidos retreated. 

December 14. Skirmish on ihr I'.lii- Siili-lmr lioa.l, near Aicadow Bluff. 
Lieutenant H. 6. Otis, with 29 un'ii \v:l^ ;i1l,i.Kc(l by Kcix'! .;riiiTrillasunder 
William Thurmond. The guerrilia.s llcil, haviutc kiiloil 2 and wounded 4 
Union soldiers, while their own loss was 2. 

January 2. Confederates under General Fitzhugh Lee invaded the 
South Branch Valley. This raid, following so soon after Averell's Salem 
raid, was meant as a retaliation for the destruction at Salem. The weatber 
was so cold and the Shenandoah Mountains so icy that Lee could not cross 
with artillery, and he abandoned his guns and moved forward with his 
troops. 

Jduiiiiri/ 3. Petersburg, Grant County, besieged by Fitzhugh Lee. 

.laiiuani '6. An empty train of 40 wagons, returning from Petersburg 
to Keysor, was cajiturpd by ( 'onfodcrates. 

Jauitanj (i. Roniiicy was (ircn|iii'd by Fitzhugh Lee. 

Jdiiiiarij 'o. S))rinu'li<'lil, in IJainpshire County, was capturel by Con- 
federates under MfN< 'ill and (;iliut)r. 

January 30. Gi'ii"r:il K'osscr, with a strong Confederate force, (japtured 
a train of 93 wagdn.-., :;n() mules and 20 prisoners, at Medley, Mineral 
County. Among tlu.' [uisouurs taken was Judge Nathan (-l,)lf, of West Vir- 
ginia, whose horse fell on him and held him. He wa^ I hen twenty years 
old. The wagon train was in charge of Colonel Joseph Snyder. 

Jamtary 31. Petersburg, Grant County, was evacuated by Pedeials 
under Colonel Thoburn upon the advance of an army under General Early. 
Colonel Thoburn retreated to Keyser by way of Greenland Gai>. 

February 1. General Early advanced and attacked the fort near Peters- 
burg, not knowing that Colonel Thoburn had retreated and that the fort 
Avas empty. 

February 2. General Rosser destroyed the railroad bridges across the 
North Branch and Patterson Creek, in Mineral county. 

Febnutry 3. Forty Rebels under Major J. H. Noun nan attacked and 
captured the steamer Tjovi on the Kanawha, at Red Hi>use. General Scam- 
mon was on board and was lalcen prisoner. 

Fcbriiiuii \\. ("(.nledeiales under Gilmor tl new a Baltimore and Ohio 
passenger train from the track near Kearney.s\'ille, and robbed the pas- 
sengers. 

February 20. Twenty Federals under Lieuteniinl Henry A. Wolf were 
attacked near Hurricane Bridge. Lieutenant Wolf was Ivilled. 

February 25. General John C. Breckeniitlgo was assigned to the com- 
mand of the Confederate forces in West Vii-ginia, relieving General Sam 
Jones. General Breckenridge assumed command March "j. 

March 3. Colonel A. I. Root marched from Pi-tei-sburg and destroyed 
the Saltpeter Works operated by Confedeiates in Pendleton County. 

March 3. Skirmish in Grant County. Lieutenant Denney with 27 Fed- 
erals was attacked and defeated near Petersliurg witli a loss of 7 men and 
13 horses. 



CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR. 165 

March 10. Major Sullivan was killed by Mosby's guerrilla.s in a skirm- 
ish at Kabletown. 

March 19. Eight men, of Imboden's command, who had been in Bar- 
bour County attempting to waylay a wagon train, crossed into Tucker 
County and robbed David Wheeler's Store, three miles liom St. George. 

March 20. Skirmish at the Sinks of Gandy in Kaiiildlpli County. The 
Rebels who had robbed Wheeler's store were jjursufd l)y {lieutenant Val- 
entine J. Gallion and Captain Nathaniel J. Lambert and defeated, with 3 
killed, 2 captured, and the stolen property was recovered. 

April 19. Confederates were attacked and defeated at Marlin Bottom, 
Pocahontas County. 

Maij 2. An expedition moved from the Kanawha Valley under Generals 
Crook a»d Averell against the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. This is 
known as the Dublin Raid, so called from the village of that name in 
Pulaski County. The cavalry was under the command of General Averell, 
while General George Crook was in command of all the forces. On May 9 
occurred a desperate battle on Cloyd Mountain, near the boundary between 
Giles and Pulaski Counties, Virginia. General Crook commanded the 
Union forces, and the Confederates were under General Albert G. Jenkins. 
For a long time the issue of the battle was doubtful; but at length General 
Jenkins fell, and his army gave way. He was mortally wounded, and died 
soon after. His arm had been amputated at the shoulder by a Federal 
surgeon. In the meantime General Averell, with a force of cavalry, 2000 
strong, advanced by wretched roads and misei-able paths through Wyoming 
County, West Virginia, into Virginia, hoping to strike at Saltville or 
Wytheville before the Confederates could concentrate for defense. When 
the troops entered Tazewell County they had numerous skirmishes with 
small parties of Confederates. When Tazewell Court House was reached it 
was learned that between 4000 and 5000 Confederates, commanded by 
Generals W. E. Jones and John H. Morgan, had concentrated at Saltville, 
having learned of Averell's advance. The defences north of that town 
were so strongly fortified that the Union troops could not attack with hope 
of success. Averell turned, and made a rapid march toward Wytheville, to 
prevent the Confederates from marching to attack General Crook. Arriv- 
ing near Wytheville on May 10, he met Jones and Morgan, with 5000 men, 
marching to attack General Crook. Averell made an attack on them, or 
they on him, as both sides appeared to begin the battle about the same 
time. Although out-numbered and out-flanked, the Union forces held their 
ground four hours, at which time the vigor of the Confederate fighting 
began to slack. After dark the Confederates withdrew. The Union loss 
was 114 in killed and wounded. Averell made a dash for Dublin, and the 
Confederates followed as fast as possible. The bridge across New River, 
and other bridges, were destroyed, and the railroad was torn up. Soon 
after ci-ossing New River on the morning of May 12, the Confederates 
ari'ived on the opposite bank, but they could not cross the stream. They 
had been unable to prevent the destruction of the railroad property, 
although their forces out-numbered Averell's. The Union cavalry rejoined 
General Crook, and the army returned to the Kanawha Valley by way of 
Monroe County. 

May 3. Bulltown, Braxton County, was captured and the barracks 
burned by Confederates under Captains Spriggs and Chewings. 

May 4. Captain McNeill with 61 Confederate cavalry captured Pied- 



166 CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 

mont, iu Mineral County, and burned two trains, machine shops, and cap- 
tured 104 prisoners. 

Mail 6. Lieutenant Blazer's scouts attacked and defeated a troop of 
Confederates near Princeton, Mercer County. 

MtiijH. Fifty Confcdciiiti's attacked a Federal post at Halltown, 
Jefferson County, and were (Ideal cd. 

Mail 9. Skirmish on the .summit of Cheat Mountain between a scouting 
party from Beverly and 100 Rebels. 

M<nj 10. The Ringgold Cavalry was attacked and defeated at Lost 
River C!ap, Hardy County, by Imboden. The Federals wei-e hunting for 
McNeill's men, and Imboden had hurriedly crossed from the Valley of Vir- 
ginia to assist McNeill to escajie. 

Mdij 11. Romney was occupied by General Imboden. 

Mdij 15. A scouting party moved from Beverly under Colonel Harris 
against Confederate guerrillas in Pocahontas, Webster and Braxton Coun- 
ties, capturing 36 prisoners, 85 horses, 40 cattle, and returning to Beverly 
May 30. 

May 19. General David Hunter was appointed to the command of Fed- 
eral foi'ces in West Virginia. He assumed command May 21. 

Mail 24. In a skirmish near Charlestown the Confederates under 
Mosby wore defeated. 

,fnnc 6. Skirmish at Panther Gap. Rebels were defeated by Colonel 
D. Frost. 

June 6. Fight near MoorefieM. Eighty Federals under Captain 
Hart were attacked and lost four killed and six wounded, but defeated the 
Confederates. 

June 10. Colonel Thompson was defeated near Kabletown by Major 
Gilmor. 

June 19. Captain Boggs, with 30 West Virginia State troops from Pen- 
dleton County, known as Swamp Dragons, was attacked near Petersburg 
by Lieutenant Dolen, with a portion of McNeill's comijany. The Confed- 
erates were at first successful, but finally were defeated, and Lieutenant 
Dolen was killed. 

June 26. Captain McNeil], with 60 Confederates, attacked Cai^tain 
Law and 100 men at Springfield, Hamjishire County. The Federals were 
defeated, losing 00 prisoners and 100 horses. 

June 28. A detachment of Federals was defeated at Sweet Sulphur 
Springs by Thurmond's guerrillas. 

Jvhj 3. Skirmish at Leetown. Confederates under General Ransom 
attacked and defeated Colonel Mulligan after a severe fight. A large Con- 
federate army under (ieiieral iCarl,\- was iiu-adiiig West Virginia and Mary- 
land, penetrating as lai- as Cliaiiiliershiirir, I 'eiiusylvania. 

Jtilji'd. Confederates under ( lil iikh- at lacked Union troops at Darkes- 
ville, Berkeley County, and wei<> delealed. 

Jh/// 3. General Early cap! ii red Maitinsburg. 

Jiihi 3. Skirmish at North Ki\<T iMilLs, Hampshire County. 

Jiilil 4. General Imlxxleii altaeUed an armored car and a blockhouse at 
the South Branch Bridge, in llamiishlre County. He blew the car up with 
a shell, and attempted to destroy the bridge, but the blockhouse could not 
be taken, and he retreated. 

July 4 Rebels under Captain McNeill burned the railroad bridge across 
Patterson Creek, Mineral County. 



CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR. 167 

July 4. An attack on the North Branch Bridge, in Mineral County, was 
repulsed by the Federals. 

Juhj 4. Harper's Ferry was invested by Confederates. They besiared 
the place four days, but the heavy guns on the heights drove them back 
and shelled them to the distance of four miles. General Franz Sigel was 
in command at Harper's Ferry. 

July 6. General Imboden attacked Sir John's Run, Morgan County, 
and burned the railroad station-house, but was driven off by iron-dad cars. 

July 6. Big Capon Bridge, Morgan County, was attacked by Imboden. 
He was driven off by iron-clad cars. 

July 14. Romney was occupied by McNeill. 

July 23. Romney was taken by McNeill and Captain Harness. 

July 25. Federals under General George Crook were defeated at 
Bunker Hill, Berkeley County. 

Julij 25. Fight at Martinsburg. The Confederates in strong force 
fought General Duttie all day. 

July 30. Confederates under General W. L. Jackson were defeated near 
Shepherdstown. 

Aiir/ufil 2. The Confederates under General Bradley T. Johnson cap- 
tured Green Spring, Hampshire County, Colonel Stough being in command 
of the Federals. The Rebels had advanced toward Cumberland, and made 
an attack on the Federal defenders, but did not push the attack. These 
Confederates were retuinini.'- fioni their plundering raid in Pennsylvania. 

Avf/ufit 2. Confodciati's uniler McNeill destroyed thi'ee railroad cul- 
verts between Keyser and ( 'mnlicrland. 

■August 2. Tlie suspension bridge across the vSouth Branch of thePoto- ■ 
mac near Springfield was cut down by order of General Early. 

Avgusf 4. Confederates under Generals Bradley T. Johnson and John 
McCausland attacked Keyser and were i-epulsed. 

August 7. General Averell overtook and routed the forces of McCaus- 
land and Johnson, near Moorefipld. These Confederates had burned Cham- 
berslmrg. l^cnnsvlvaiiia. Ix'cansc tlir |)(>oplo would not pay .'SlOO, 000 ransom. 
Avrivll .■iilrnMl Cliainh.'rsl.nr;,' witliin two hours after 111.' ( "onlcMlerates left, 
and he ]iursncil tlicm tlii-onirh Mai-ylinid into West Vii'giiiia, and came upon 
them at daybreak near Moo)-efield and surprised them, captured all their 
artillery, 420 prisoners, 400 horses, retook the plunder carried from Penn- 
sylvania, and drove the disorganized forces ten miles into the mountains. 
The Rebels Ixdicvcd that no quarters would be given them because they 
had burni'd ( 'hainhcrsburg. 

August tt\. Skirmish at Summit Point between a detachment of Con- 
federates and the New York Dragoons. 

August 21. General Sheridan was defeated at Welch's Spring with a 
loss of 275. 

August 22. Confederates at Charlestown were defeated by Colonel 
Charles R. Lowell. 

August 22. General Sheridan's troops defeated the Confederates at 
Halltown. 

August 29. The Confederates were defeated four miles from Charles- 
town. This fighting, and that which followed and preceded it in the same 
vuiiiily. was between the armies of General Sheridan and General Early. 

Srjiiciiihrj- 1. Martinsburg was captured by General Early's troops, 
Avi'ndl retreating. 



168 CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR. 

Scpfnnbcr 2. Confederate cavalry under Vaughn was defeated by Averell 
at Bunker Hill. 

Scpfcniber 3. Federals under General Crook defeated General Kershaw 
near Berryville, killing and wounding 200. 

Srptrmber 3. Averell defeated McCausland at Bunker Hill. 

Scjitcmber 4. Cavalry tight near Berryville between Mosby's and 
Blazer's men, in which Mosby lost 19 men, kill(>d and captured. 

Sepfoitber 14. Skirmish near Ci'iitci\illi', TT]).shur County, between Fed- 
erals under Captain H. H. Hagans and ;;(> Ikij'sc tliieves. 

Hvptvmber 17. Confederates under Colonel V. A. Witcher, to the num- 
ber of 523, among them Captain Phili]> J. and Captain William D. Thur- 
mond's guerrillas, moved from Tazewell County, Virginia, upon a raid into 
West Virginia, returning September 28 with 400 horses, 200 cattle, and hav- 
ing lost only one man. 

September 18. General Early's troops recaptured Martinsburg. 

September 23. Confederates under Major James H. Nounnan moved 
f I'om Tazewell County upon a raid into the Kanawha Valley. They returned 
to Tazewell October 1. 

September 26. Colonel Witcher captured Weston and robbed the Ex- 
change Bank of $5,287.85; also captured a number of Home Guards. 

September 26. Captain William H. Payne, of Witcher's command, occu- 
pied Janelew, Lewis County. 

September 27. Witcher defeated Fedei-al cavali'y at Buckhannon and 
captured the town. 

September 28. The Rebels having moved up the river from Buckhan- 
non, and Federals, under Major T. F. Lang, having ()((\i|iiiMl lln- town. 
Colonel Witcher made adash and recaptured the placeaml took- Mnjor Lang 
and 100 men jiri.soner, and destroyed a large. quantity of mililaiy .stores. 

September 30. Skirmish at the mouth of Coal River. Rebels under 
Major Nounnan were defeated. 

October 11. Skirmish two miles south of Petersburg between 198 
Home Guards under Captain Boggs and Rebels under Harness. 

October 26. Colonel Witcher attacked the town of Winfield and was 
defeated. Captain P. J. Thurmond was mortally wounded, taken prisoner, 
and soon after died. 

October 29. Major Hall, with 350 Rebels, attacked Beverly and was 
repulsed with a loss of 140, Hall being mortally wounded and taken pris- 
oner. The Federals, 200 in number, were in command of Colonel Youart. 
He lost 46. The Confederate attacking force was made up of men from 21 
regiments. 

November 1. Green Spring, Hampshire County, was captured by Con- 
federates under Captain McNeill; about 30 Federals were taken pri.soner. 

November 5. Colonel V. A. Witcher captured and burned the st(>a.mers 
Barnum and Fawn at Buffalo Shoals, Big Sandy River. 

November 7. Colonel George R. Latham, with 225 Federals, defeated 
McNeill at Mooreti<"ld, taking 8 prisoners. 

Xorniihrr L'7. Colonel R. E. Fleming with a small force attacked 2,000 
Conlcdciatcs uiuln- ixosser at Mooretield, and was defeated, with a loss of 
20 men and one caunon. 

Novi'iiilirr I's. Major Potts, with 1.").') nu>n, was del'eatod by Conf(>derales 
of Kosscr's conuuand at Mooretield. 

Noccmbcr 28. General Rosser surprised Keyser, cai)tur)ug or dispors- 



CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 169 

in.£c the Federal garrison of 800, and taking several cannon, burning gov- 
ernment and railroad property, and carrying away hundreds of horses. 

November 28. Confederates under Major McDonald were defeated at 
Piedmont by 27 men under Captain Fisher. 

lees. 

January 11. General Rosser captured Beverly. The Federals were in 
command oif Colonel R. Youart. They lost 6 killed, 23 wounded and 580 
prisoners. 

Jmtnanj 11. A Federal scouting party, under Major E. S. Troxel, •• 
moved from Keyser, passing through Pendleton County. 

January 15. Skirmish at Petersburg. Major Troxel defeated McNeill. 

Jamiary 19. Rebel guerrillas wrecked a train on the Baltimore and 
Ohio Railroad near DufReld. 

Febrvanj 4. Train thrown from track and robbed by Confederates near 
Harper's Ferry. 

February 5. Major H. W. Gilmor was captured by Federals under 
Colonel Young, near Moorefield. 

Febniary 21. Generals Crook and Kelley were captured at Cumberland 
by 61 Confederates under Lieutenant Jesse McNeill, son of Captain J. H. 
McNeill. There were 3500 Union ti-oojis in Cumberland at the time. 

February 26. General Winfield S. Hancock was assigned to the com- 
mand of the Federal forces in West Virginia. 

Mareh 15. Rebel guerrilas were defeated on the South Pork, above 
Moorefield, by Captain McNulty. 

March 22. Lieutenant Martin defeated Confederates of McNeill's com- 
mand on Patterson Creek, in Mineral County, killing 2, wounding 3. 

March 30. A railroad train was derailed and robbed near Patterson 
Creek Bridge, in Mineral County, by McNeill's command. 

Airril 2. General W. H. Emory was assigned to the command of Union 
forces in West Virginia. 

April 6. Confederates under Mosby captured Loudoun County Rangers 
near Charlestown. 

April 10. General Emory proposed to Governor Boreman that the West 
Virginia civil authorities resume their functions, re-open the courts and 
dispense justice, inasmuch as "no large bodies of armed Rebels are in the 
State." 

April 12. Lieutenant S. H. Draper raided a Rebel rendezvous on Tim- 
ber Ridge, Hampshire County. 

April 15. Captain Joseph Badger moved from Philippi with a scouting 
party, passing through Randolph and Pocahontas Counties, returning to 
Philippi April 23. 

May 8. McNeill's company surrendered at Romney. 

June 1. Colonel Wesley Owens left Clarksburg with 400 men and made 
a twelve days expedition through Pocahontas and Pendleton Counties, 
hunting for Governor William Smith, of Virginia, who had not .surrendered. 
He was also collecting Government property, mostly horses, scattered 
through those counties. No trace was found of the fugitive governor. 
The country was exhausted and desolated. Only two families were found in 
Huntersville, Pocahontas County. The paroled Confederate soldiers were 
coming home and were trying to plant corn with but little to work with. 
By the terms of surrender granted Lee by Grant, the Confederate soldiers 



170 CHRONOLOGY OP THE WAR. 

who had horses or mules were permitted to keep them. Old cavalry horses 
and artillery mules were harnessed to plows, and peace again reigned in the 
mountains of West Virginia. 

West Virginia furnished 36,530 soldiers for the Union, and about 7000 
for the Confederate armies. In addition to these there were 32 companies 
of troops in the stJite service, some counties having one company, some 
two. Their duty was to scout, and to protect the people against guer- 
rillas. The majority of them were organized in 1SG3 and 1864. These com- 
panies with their captains were as follows: 
Captain M. T. Haller Barbour County. 

' ' A. All top Marion County. 

" H. S. Sayre Doddridge County. 

" J. C. Wilkinson Lewis County. 

" George C. Kennedy Jack.son County. 

" John Johnson " " 

" William Logsdon Wood County. 

" William Ellison Calhoun County. 

' ' Alexander Donaldson Roane County. 

' ' Hiram Chapman " " 

" H. S. Burns Wirt County. 

" John Boggs Pendleton County. 

M. Mallow " " 

' ' John Ball Putnam County. ^ 

" J. L. Kesling Upshur County. 

' ' William R. Spaulding Wayne County. 

" M. M. Pierce Preston County. 

" William Gandee Roane County. 

" Nathaniel J. Lambert Tucker County. 

" James A. Ramsey Nicholas County. 

" John S. Bond Hardy County. > ' 

" William Bartrum Wayne County. 

' ' Ira G. Copeley " " 

" William Turner Raleigh County. 

" Sanders Mullins Wyoming County. 

" Robert Brooks Kanawha County. 

" B. L. Stephenson Clay County. 

" G. P. Taylor Braxton County. 

W. T. Wiant Gilmer County. 

" Isaac Brown Nicholas County. 

" Benjamin R. Haley Wayne County. 

" Sampson, Snyder Randolph County. 



Part Second 

County History 




W. B. OUTRIGHT. 



CHAPTER XVIIL 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 



ROYAL DESERTERS 

The occasion of the first settlers coming into the present Hmits of Upshur 
County is uncertain as to time and reasons. The best evidence we can gather 
leads us to believe the following story : Anxiety to settle in the New World 
was possessing the English Plebeian at the middle of the i8th century. Old 
and young alike wanted to reach American shores and find a home of religious 
peace and politic freedom. It mattered little to them in what capacity they 
came, whether as indented land tenants, house servants, or as soldiers in the 
King's arniy. The goal of an Englishman's ambition was to get to America, 
where freedom of personal action was as boundless as the forests the country 
maintained ; thus the cause of the great immigration from England in the i8th 
century. In addition to the foregoing reasons the French and Indian War 
might be added. It was during this war that William Childers, John 
Lindsey, John Pringle, and Samuel Pringle first saw the shores of 
America, on which they were to serve and did serve in the royal army, and it 
was during their service in that army, garrisoned at Ft. Pitt, now Pittsburg, that 
they, tired of martial life, deserted the Fort in 1761 or '62 and ascended the 
Monongahela river to the mouth of Georges Creek, afterwards selected by 
Albert Gallatin as the site for the town of New Geneva, Pa. Not liking this 
location, they remained but a short time. They then traveled eastward and 
crossed over to the head waters of the Youghiogheny, and camping in the glades 
continued to live there about twelve months. In one of their hunting trips, 
Samuel Pringle wandered away from his companions and while alone, pursuing 
the swiftest deer, came on a much traveled path which he supposed joined Ft. 
Pitt to the nearest inhabited portion of Virginia. Returning to camp, he made 
known to his companions his discovery and supposition, and asked them to join 
him in tracing the path down. His comrades acceded to his request and at once 
set about making ready for their journey. They easily found the trail at the 
place Samuel Pringle discovered it, and following it eastwardly, reached 
Looney's Creek, then the most remote western settlement (on South Branch). 
Looney's Creek heads in Grant County against the east face of the Allegheny 
mountains about 15 miles from Bayard. It flows through May's Gap in a south- 
easterly direction and empties into South Branch one-half mile below Petersburg. 
This stream lies ten miles west of Moorefield and has a total length of about 
fifteen miles. While living among the settlements of Looney's Creek, the quar- 



17(J EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 

tette of deserters were apprehended. The Pringle brothers escaped and returned 
to their camp in the glades where they remained until some time in the 
year 1764. A few months after their return to their camp in the glades, the 
Pringles were employed by John Simpson, a trapper, to hunt, kill, and prepare 
the pelt of fur animals for market. While thus engaged they decided to prevent 
possible detection by going deeper into the forest, and sought to take with them 
their employer. They had little trouble in persuading Simpson to go with them, 
as the glades were becoming common hunting grounds for the South Branchers. 
Sin.pson's motive for moving was the prospect of enjoying woods, free from the 
intrusion of other hunters. 

The three started out together and while journeying through the boundless 
forest, a violent dispute arose between Simpson and one of the Pringles. Failing 
to compromise their trouble and knowing peace would be necessary to their 
safety, they separated. This quarrel and separation took place on Cheat river at 
the Horse Shoe. 

Simpson left his employees and crossed over the ferry near the mouth of 
Pleasant creek and on to the head of another stream which he named Simpson's 
creek. Thence he traveled westward until he came to another stream and gave 
it the name of Elk. Following this stream to its mouth, he built a camp here 
and lived there about a year. During the year he resided at the mouth of Elk 
he saw neither Pringles nor any other human being. After twelve months of 
this lonely life he set out for the South Branch to dispose of the furs which he 
had collected and prepared by his industry. He sold his furs and skins and 
returned to his encampment at the mouth of Elk where he continued to live 
until permanent settlements were made in the vicinity. 

The Pringles after Simpson left them at the Horse Shoe took up the Valley 
river and followed that stream until they came to a large right-hand fork. They 
forsook the main stream here, and kept up the branch, now Buckhannon river, 
for several miles, when they came to a branch of the branch which was subse- 
quently called Turkey Run on account of the great abundance of wild turkeys 
found and killed by the pioneers. 

In 1765 they encamped in the cavity of a large sycamore tree at the mouth 
of Turkey Run. This specific tree, the subject of so many fire-side chats and the 
cause of so much earnest veneration among the early settlers and their immediate 
offspring, has long ago died. Its descendant, however, still survives and stands 
on the land of Webster Dix, who respects it highly and will not destroy it. 
Yearly large numbers of close and hard students of West Virginia history visit 
the site of the parent sycamore where they are greeted and welcomed by the 
grandchild of the parent tree. 

The situation of these men during a residence of three years, although 
made necessary by their previous treasonable conduct, could not have been very 
enviable. Runaways from the King's army, composure of mind was impossible. 
The constant fear of discovery must have haunted them ; savages on all sides, 
the tomahawk, and scalping knife were ever present to their imaginations. The 
dull hoot of the owl, the fierce shriek of the panther, and the hideous howling 
of the wolf hourly disturbed Jheir solitary serenity and made them often long 
for civilized man's companionship, sympathy and help. 

Buffalo, elk, and deer were abundant in large numbers and gamboled 
sportively around their camp. These animals enabled them to supply their 
larder easily, but the absence of salt, bread, and every species of garden vegetable 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 



177 



most certainly abated their relish for the delicious loin of the one, and the haunch 
of the other. 




SYCAMORE TREE 
The home of John and Samuel Pringle, for the first two years of their life on Turkey Run. 



The scarceness of ammunition, which was their only source of subsistence in 
their vicarious life, limited their hunting to the getting of what was absolutely 
needed and also forced upon them the shrinking thought of being driven to the set- 
tlements which might discover and apprehend them. They resisted the idea of 
returning to the South Branch until they were actually reduced to two loads 
of powder. Necessity then induced John Pringle to leave his brother and make 
for a trading post on the Shenandoah where discovery and identity would be at 
the minimum. The fall of 1767 saw his departure; the spring of 1768 witnessed 
his return, several months after the period appointed to join his brother. Samuel 
Pringle suffered not a little mentally and physically by his brother's prolonged 
absence. His provisions were nearly exhausted. Oiie load of powder was 
lost in a fruitless attempt to fell a buck, and his mind was uneasy because his 



178 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 

brother's delayed return might be taken as recognition, apprehension, court- 
martial and death. However, he determined to brave the perils of the forest as 
long as he could, hoping that relief might come. With his last load of powder 
he killed a large fine buffalo ; soon thereafter, John returned with the news of peace 
both with the Indians and the French and a total cessation of hostility. Indians 
broke up their camp in a day or two. 

The two brothers now agreed to leave their exile in the wilderness and 
seek the settlements where trials and vicissitudes of frontier life were shared in 
common. They no doubt left their forest habitation with some regret. They 
had become attached to every object around them. They could see "tongues in 
trees, books in the running brooks, semions in stones, and good in everything." 

The tree in whose cavity they had sheltered from storm and winter's cold, 
always offered safe protection, and was honored by them with so much adoration 
that they determined to come back to it as soon as they could prevail upon a few 
others to accompany them and share this bountiful forest and this asylum of 
their exile. 

Among the classes of people who composed the frontier settlements of that 
day, the task of inducing some to remove was not difficult. To acquire land was 
a great motive which made the settlements of the South Branch, and many had 
failed entirely in locating and holding their claims; others had to occupy poor 
and broken situations off the river on what seemed barren mountains — all on 
account of prior locations and surveys taking up the fertile bottoms and the 
more desirable uplands. The second motive for removing, was the passion 
for hunting (which was a ruling one with many) and the domain of its satisfac- 
tion was the plentifulness of game. Both of these objects could be attained in 
the country whence the Pringle brothers proposed to form the settlement. 

There can be no doubt that the Pringles were greatly assisted in their 
endeavors by the sympathy and encouragement of a woman, one Charity Cut- 
right, between whom and Samuel Pringle an abiding affection, which terminated 
in a marriage and a happy family, had sprung up at the time the four deserters 
were living among the settlers on Loony's Creek. Their marriage occurred after 
the return of the Pringle brothers to the South Branch settlements. This woman 
enlisted the aid of her brother, John Cutright, and he in turn interested his 
youthful friends and neighbors. The contagion spread from one to another until 
when the time of immigration arrived, so many had enlisted that the precaution 
of sending out a committee of several persons to examine the country, its fertility, 
game and bread producing capacity was made advisable. 

REGARDING THE PRINGLES 

Aaron Pringle, of Fair Plain, Jackson county, has seen fit to contribute a 
most valuable bit to Upshur county history. We print it in full. 

1. One Simpson accompanied the Pringle brothers to Upshur county. He 
quarreled with them and left them to go to Harrison county. He trapped on 
what is now known as Simpson's creek for a year and no one seems to know what 
became of him after this. 

2. The Pringle brothers encamped in a sycamore tree at the mouth of 
Turkey Run below Buckhannon town about three miles. 

3. John Pringle, the younger, migrated to Kentucky, married a Kentucky 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 179 

lady and left children who are worthy in the various walks of life. Dr. Pringle 
of Kentucky, is a grandson of John Pringle. 

4. Samuel Pringle married Charity Cutright, sister to John Cutright, who 
was the father of Jacob, Isaac, William, Christopher and John, jr. There were 
bom to Samuel Pringle and wife, three sons and two daughters, viz : William, 
John, Samuel, the three sons, Elizabeth and another whose name I cannot recall, 
but who married a man by the name of Wolf who went to Ohio, settling about 
Letart Falls. Mr. Wolf and wife left one daughter who married Isaac Westfall 
who lived afterwards in the State of Indiana. 

William Pringle and wife, Nellie, had fifteen children whose names are as 
follows: Hettie, who married William Weatherholt, Sinai, who married Chris- 
topher Cutright, Wealthy, who married Abraham Crites, Alminy, who married 
Isaac W. Simon, Mahala, who married Jacob Crites, Susanna, who married 
George Cutright, Rachel, who married Hiram Rollins, John, who married Rhoda 
Casto, sister to David Casto, James, who married Mary Ann Wejitherholt, Isaac 
married Easter Rodgers, David and Elias died about the age of 20 with con- 
sumption, Gilbert died in infancy, Chaney, who married Melvina Crites and Joel 
who had three wives. 

John Pringle, the second son of Saaiuel, married Mary Cutright, sister to 
Andrew Cutright. Eight children were born to them. Barbary, who married 
John Hunt, Kate, who married John House, Elizabeth, who married Daniel 
Phipps, Christian, Hepsy and Fanny were never married, Andrew who was never 
married and Miles who married a Miss Rowan. 

Samuel Pringle, son of Samuel of sycamore fame, was never married. 

Elizabeth, elder daughter to Samuel Pringle married Andrew Cutright. 
Yours truly, 

Aaron Pringle. 

FIRST SETTLERS 

As has been previously mentioned, the land grants, surveys, and claims 
on the South Branch had terminated prejudicial to the interest of the pioneer 
settlers. They were looking and wishing for other cheap lands which they 
hoped to find but a little distance away westward, but not across the mountains. 
This hope could not be fulfilled to their satisfaction, therefore they were restless. 

The great drawback to inducing settlers to emigrate from the valleys of the 
Shenandoah and Potomac, was the Alleghany mountains, which to the pioneers 
seemed almost impassable. In this day of practical annihilation of distance and 
physical obstacles, when engineers have found good grades for railroads and 
turnpikes through the highest mountains, and when electricity bids defiance to 
steepness, the mountain barrier objection seems very trifling. But it was other- 
wise with the first settlers of Upshur. To them the forests were universal, the 
wilderness unknown, and the mountains an inhospitable cemetery. 

To these physical difficulties add the certainty of prowling savages, whose 
hostility was always murderous, and you have a condition which only the bravest 
mind would surmount, therefore only few gave up the fertile fields of William 
Penn or the tidal lowlands of the Potomac for the declivitous trails and doubtful 
goals of the Trans-Appalachian wilderness. 

The Pringle brothers combatted these ideas with vehemence, saying to some 
with La Salle, the woods were "so beautiful and so fertile; so full of brooks and 



180 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL\N TROUBLES. 

rivers ; so abundant in fish and venison, that one can find there in plenty and 
with Httle trouble, all that is needful for the support of flourishing colonies." To 
others they argued that fields could be had for the clearing and tilling, and they 
would not be put in prison for debt and religion, and there they and their children 
would have greater advantages and freedom in life. They also preached the 
influence of pure air, the refreshments of the clear sparkling waters full of spotted 
trout, the sweet odor of the wild mountain laurel and its mighty friends, the 
hemlock and poplar, the grandeur of the rocks, hills and mountains, all of which 
would conspire to make a beautiful world in the wilderness ; therefore the propo- 
sition of the Pringle brothers to form a. settlement on the Buckhannon river, was 
agreeable to many under such flattering representations. The committee, which 
has heretofore been mentioned, was sent out in the year 1768 with Samuel 
Pringle as their guide. Who composed this committee other than Samuel Pringle 
is mere conjecture. Perhaps John Jackson, John Hacker, and Jessie Hughes 
were in the party. No records tell us that these leaders went out with Samuel 
Pringle to examine the country in 1768. We arrived at this conjecture by means 
of the course'these men afterwards took in the formation of the settlement. Being 
pleased with the country, these persons in the following spring, with a few others, 
repaired to Buckhannon river with a view to raising as much corn as would serve 
their families the first year after their arrival. They examined the country for 
the purpose of choosing the most fertile and most desirable situation ; some went 
to work at once to improve the spots of their choice. "Wither's Chronicles of 
Border Warfare" tells us who composed this first train of emigrants. "John 
Jackson and his sons, George and Edward Jackson, settled at the mouth of 
Turkey Run where his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Davis now lives" (1904 property 
of Mrs. Anna Carper and daughter, Mrs. W. B. Cutright). John Hacker settled 
higher up on the Buckhannon river where Bush's Fort was afterwards established 
and Nicholas Heavner now lives (1904 a part of the Heavner Cemetery). 
Alexander and Thomas Sleeth located near to John Jackson's on what is now 
known as the Forenash plantation (1904 the fann of Isaac Post). The others 
of the party (William Hacker, Thomas and Jessie Hughes, John and William 
Radcliflfe, and John Brown) therefore employed their time exclusively in hunting; 
neither of them making any improvement of lands for his own benefit, yet were 
they of very considerable service to the new settlements. Those who commenced 
clearing land were supplied by them with an abundance of meat ; while in their 
hunting excursions through the country, a better knowledge of it was obtained 
than could have been acquired had they been engaged in making improvement. 
These persons also made important discoveries. In one of their expeditions they 
discovered and named Stone Coal Creek, coursing its head waters from the head 
waters of Brushy Fork. This stream flows westwardly and induced a supposition 
that it discharged itself directly into the Ohio. They descended this creek and 
came to its confluence with a river which they called, and has since been known 
as the West Fork. They did not return by the same route which they took, but 
struck across the country to the settlement on the Buckhannon river." They were 
well pleased with the fertility of the land on Stone Coal and the West Fork, and 
decided to move there as soon as possible. Their judgment on the richness of 
the soil was good, as can be attested by every farmer and live stock man in 
Upshur and Lewis counties of today. 

At this juncture we desire to interpose a short traditional history of each 
member of this first immigrant train to the Buckhannon river settlement. The 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 181 

reader will understand that we do not claim perfection for these notes, they are 
simply based upon the word and memory of others. If they do no other good, 
it is hoped for them that they will stimulate a spirit of research from those who 
are by blood, nature or education interested in genealogy. 

John Jackson, senior, had a most remarkable posterity. His wife was a 
Miss Cummins of London, England. Their children were, Joseph Jackson, John 
Jackson, Samuel Jackson, Col. Edward Jackson, the surveyor, Samuel Jackson, 
Mrs. Abraham Brake, Mrs. Philip Reger, Mrs. George Davis, and Henry 
Jackson. 

Joseph Jackson, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Jackson, senior, 
married a Miss Brake of Harrison County, and soon moved to Clarksburg. He 
left Clarksburg and went to Zanesville, Ohio, where he died. He was a brilliant 
man, a lawyer and a statesman, having served his district in Congress. He was 
the father of Judge John G. Jackson of Clarksburg, well known to the older 
citizens of this country. 

John Jackson, junior, was married twice. His first wife was a Miss Hadden. 
Their children were, Edward H. Jackson, Dr. David Jackson, and Mrs. Sallie 
Ireland. This is the John Jackson that made Buckhannon Island by digging 
across the narrowest place between the two bends and making a mill race, which 
is used to this day. He dug this race about one hundred years ago, when the 
first mill was constructed on the present sight of the Farnsworth Star Mill. His 
second wife was Betsy Cozard. The children of this marriage were, Jacob J. 
Jackson, George R. Jackson, Samuel Jackson, Major William W. Jackson, Mrs. 
Betsy Gibson, and Mrs. Joseph Cushman. 

Col. Edward Jackson was perhaps the first surveyor in Upshur county. He 
also married a Miss Hadden and moved to the West Fork river where he built 
a grist mill which is still known as Jackson's Mill, near the mouth of Hacker's 
creek. Their children were, Mrs. Polly Brake, Mrs. Rachel Brake, Mrs. Laura 
Arnold, the mother of Stark W. Arnold, and the grandmother of Gohen Arnold ; 
and Jonathan Jackson who was the father of Stonewall Jackson, the pride of the 
army of the southern Confederacy. His second wife was a Miss Brake. The 
most important issue of this marriage was Cummins Jackson, the notorious 
widely known counterfeiter. They had other children. 

Samuel Jackson married a Miss Reger on the waters of the Tygarts Valley. 
He went West soon after his marriage and has no posterity here. 

Henry Jackson, the youngest child, also had two wives. His first wife was 
Miss Hyre, daughter of Jacob Hyre, who lived on Fink's Run just above its 
mouth. One of the children by his first wife was Hyre Jackson, who moved to 
Texas in young manhood, studied law, was admitted to the bar, beacme an 
eminent jurist, and served as judge of his Judicial District. Some one has fitly 
said that there is a streak of eminence and brilliancy running entirely through 
this Jackson family, and every once and awhile it comes forth in a brilliant son. 
This is one of the instances. Henry Jackson's second wife was Miss Betsy 
Shreve. The best known child of this marriage is the Honorable S. D. Jackson, 
of Warren District, this county. 

The second member of this first band of emigrants to which we call attention 
is John Hacker. He was born near Winchester, Va., about 1743, served in Col. 
G. R. Clark's Illinois campaign of 1778. He died at his home on Hacker's Creek, 
April 20, 182 1, in his 82nd year. After he left the waters of the Buckhannon 
river and moved on to the waters of Hacker's Creek, he began the trade of a 



182 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 

blacksmith. His neighbors found out his ability to make the simple tools with 
which they felled the forests, grubbed the saplings, break the turf, till the soil, 
and kill the weeds. So great became the demand for his services, both in the 
Buckhannon river settlement and Hacker's creek settlement, that business judg- 
ment advised him to open up a shop at Lorentz, a small place four miles west of 
Buckhannon town on the summit of the divide between the waters of Hacker's 
creek and Buckhannon river. Who his wife was we do not know. It is certain 
that he was married, because Withers in his "Border Warfare" tells us of the 
killing of Mrs. Edmund West, junior, by the Indians in one of their raids into 
Western Virginia. Mrs. Edmund West, junior, and a younger sister, a girl of 
eleven years old, and a brother of her husband's, a young Mr. West, were the 
only occupants of the house when the Indians under Schoolcraft entered. One 
savage immediately broke the skull of Mrs. West. The boy was hauled from 
under the bed by the heels and the savage tomahawk was sunk twice into his 
forehead directly above each eye. Miss Hacker, the girl of eleven, while standing 
by the door saw her sister and young Mr. West killed. The fierce eye of a 
savage saw her and aimed a blow at her head. She tried to evade it, but it 
struck on the side of her neck. It did not kill her, although she simulated 
death. The little girl observed all that transpired and was congratulating herself 
that she had certainly escaped to tell of the savage wickedness in her sister's 
home, but her hopes were to be suddenly dissipated. When the savages had 
plundered the house, eaten the milk, the butter, and the bread of the pantry, and 
had otherwise satisfied their fiendish foraging disposition, they departed, drag- 
ging the little girl by the hair of the head thirty or forty and some say even fifty 
yards. They threw her over the fence, scalped her, and thinking that not suffi- 
cient to kill her, they thrust a knife into her side. It struck a rib and failed to 
accomplish the mission whereupon it was sent. The little girl recovered, grew 
up, was married, had a family of ten children, and died a happy Christian life. 

William Hacker was a hunter by birth, by training, and by profession. He 
pursued small and large game alike with the same strenuousness, spirit of sport, 
and love of adventure. He bore an eternal hate toward an Indian and whenever 
and wherever opportunity offered, he maimed if he could not kill the savages. 
With Jacob Scott and Elijah Runner, he killed the notable Indian, Bald Eagle. 
He was a member of that party that clandestinely and shamefully killed the five 
free families of Indians who lived at Bull town on the Little Kanawha river. His 
wife was one of those three ladies who was pursued by the Indians near West 
Fort, when they were returning to the home after a visit to the work of their 
husbands in the field. Mrs. Freeman was the one of the three that was injured 
by having a long spear thrust through her body, entering below the shoulder 
blade in the back, piercing the lung and coming out at the breast, and killed her. 

Thomas Hughes, the second of the quartette of the hunters, returned to the 
South Branch after a few months sojourn in the Buckhannon settlement. There 
he joined a party of emigrants destined for the Monongahela river valley, 
wherein they settled. This was in 1769 or 70 and the settlement was made near 
.vhere Carmichaels town now stands. We next see him as a member of a hunting 
party searching the woods for the lost members of the household of Henry 
Fletcher, whose house stood where Weston now stands. Members of the family 
had been attacked in 1784 by the Indians and had scattered in every direction to 
avoid detection and escape death at the hands of the Indians. Mr. Hughes went 
forth to find those who were secreted in the forest and tell them that danger was 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDLAN TROUBLES. 183 

past. Thomas Hughes was shot down in cold blood on his farm on Hacker's 
creek by the Indians whom he had so long and so bitterly hunted and killed. His 
death occurred about the year 1788. in the month of April, while building fence 
with Jonathan Lowther. 

Jessie Hughes, a brother of Thomas, was a more noted border scout than 
his brother. He had a fierce, irascible, uncontrollable temper, and was so confirmed 
a hater of the Indians that none of them, however peaceful his record or amiable 
his disposition, was safe in his presence. Perhaps the first Indian he shot was 
one of the two Indians that had made an attack on West Fort. He was so 
anxious to kill them both that he joined his companions, hunting the one that 
was nmning and let go the one he had shot. He was a member of the West 
hunting party when Mrs. West and sister, and a young Mr. West were toma- 
hawked on Hacker's creek He was left by Lowther to watch the Indians on 
West Fork near the mouth of Isaacs creek, while he, Lowther, went to the settle- 
ments to give notice and to get reinforcements. He was the one of a party 
of four that escaped from the Indians near the Ohio river, the occurrence being 
that Mr. Nicholas Carpenter and son, George Ligget and Jessie Hughes were 
driving a drove of cattle to ^larietta, where Mr. Carpenter, the owner, had found 
a market for them. Some miles from the Ohio river they encamped for the 
night. In the early morning, while the owner and drivers were preparing to 
continue their journey with their cattle, they heard the discharge of guns and saw 
one of their party fall. The others endeavored to save themselves. Carpenter, 
the owner of the cattle, being a cripple, could not run, and crawled into a pond 
of water where he fondly hoped he should escape destruction. The father and 
the son were both killed. George Liggett was never heard of. Jessie Hughes 
succeeded in getting away through advantageous circumstances, that is to say 
he had long leggings which was a great obstacle and hindrance to his sprinting. 
He saw it was necessary to rid himself of these incumbrances if life was to be 
saved. He took his chances, stopped by the path, broke the strings which tied 
the leggings to his belt, and was pulling them off when the savages approached 
and hurled the tomahawk at him. It creased his head and Jessie Hughes betook 
himself as fast as heels would carry him to surroundings more safe and com- 
fortable. He perfonned the feat of ransoming his daughter who had been kid- 
naped by the Indians and carried beyond the great Ohio. Two bodies of water 
are named after him. Jessies Run in Lewis county, which has his Christian 
name, and Hughes river, which is in Ritchie county after his surname. These 
two streams then commemorate his full name. Jessie Hughes died in Jackson 
county. West Virginia. 

Both William Radcliffe and John Brown, whose names appear in the list 
of the first settlers, must have taken up their residence on the West Fork river, 
for the author has not been able to find a person or a record tending to show that 
they lived among the settlers of the Buckhannon river. 

"Soon after this, other emigrants arrived under the guidance of Samuel 
Pringle. Among them were John and Benjamin Cutright, who settled on Buck- 
hannon river where John Cutright, the younger, now lives (1904 the Nathaniel 
Cutright farm, now owned by Cain Hinkle) ; and Henry Rule who improved just 
above the mouth of Fink's Run (1904 the farm of William Farnsworth). Before 
the arrival of Samuel Pringle, John Hacker had begun to improve the spot which 
Pringle had chosen for himself which (as formerly mentioned) is near the site 
of the present Heavner Cemetery. To prevent any unpleasantness, Hacker agreed 



184 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 

that if Pringle would clear as much land on a creek, which had recently been 
discovered by the hunters, as he had on Buckhannon river, that they would then 
exchange places. Complying with this condition, Pringle took possession of the 
farm on Buckhannon river and Hacker, the land improved by Pringle on the 
creek which was by himself called Hacker's creek (the Indian name for this 
creek signifies muddy waters which was appropriate, as we know the creek today.) 

John and William Radcliflf then likewise settled on this stream — the former 
on the farm, where the Rev. John Mitchel now lives ; the latter at the place now 
owned by William Powers, Esq. These comprise all the improvements which 
were made on the upper branches of the Monongahela in the year 1769." 

Benjamin Cutright, the brother of John Cutright here mentioned, might 
have returned to the South Branch, might have died, and might have emigrated 
to the great unknown West. Sure it is that none of his family in Upshur county 
know anything about him, except that he came here once about the year 1770. 

Alexander and Thomas Sleeth lived here later, and settled in Lewis county 
on Hacker's creek. 

Among this small crowd of first settlers on the Buckhannon River was 
young John Cutright. Cutright is a corruption of the name Cartright. His 
ancestry is unknown, further than we can trace back the Cutright family to the 
South Branch of the Potomac. 

We, also, have from authentic sources a date in early Virginia history which 
gives us a clue to the first person by that name. Hotten in his Lists of Emigrants 
to America, gives us these facts : First, William Cartright emigrated and set- 
tled in the James City Colony in the year 1616. Second, Phillipp Cartright, 
whose age was twenty, embarked on the ship Hopewell, February 17, 1634. The 
intended destination of this good ship under Captain Tom Hood, was the Barba- 
does Islands. Third, the emigrant ship Falcon, under the management of Theo- 
dore Irish, embarked December 19, 1635, for the Barbadoes Islands, and had as 
a passenger one William Cartright, twenty-three years of age. According 
to custom he was examined before embarkation by the minister of the town 
Gravesend. All of these seemed never to have reached their destination, or if 
reaching it, were lost in subsequent listings of the population. The real source 
of the Cutright or Cartright family is one named John Cartright, whom Hotten 
in his "Living and Dead," says lived at James City and within the corporation 
thereof, February 16, 1623. 

Lyon G. Tyler, president of William and Mary College, editor of the "Wil- 
liam and Mary Quarterly and Historic Magazine," has devoted ten years in 
researches and publications of genealogical and patriotic data in this maga- 
zine. He is regarded as a specialist in genealogy. He writes us that there can 
be no question of the fact that John Cartright mentioned in Hotten's "Living and 
Dead," is the ancestor of all the American Cartrights, Cutrights and Courtrights. 
The next fact which convinces our belief in his theory is that a John Cartright 
was one of the loyal soldiers under Nathaniel Bacon in 1675, when a righteous 
rebellion of a large number of citizens of Virginia, against heavy taxation and 
insecure protection from Indian invasion, occurred. 

A strong assumption from these historical facts is taken. That is, a subse- 
quent oppression and unjust punishment by Governor Berkeley, of Virginia, 
drove many of Bacon's rebels northward into Maryland and South Pennsylvania. 
This would account for the Cartright family getting on to the waters of the Poto- 
mac. How the name was corrupted from Cartright to Cutright was this way — 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 185 

There came to Virginia, settling on the water of the Rappahanoc, a man by 
the name of Roger Cutts, wiho raised a large family of girls, one of these mar- 
ried a Cartright. This might explain the corruption. 

Whatever may be our beliefs, opinions and theories concerning the origin 
and name of the Outright family on the Buckhannon River, one fact is undisputed, 
that John Outright, Sr., came to the settlement with the Pringle brothers, about 
the year 1770, that he married Rebecca Truby and was peculiarly identified with 
the opening up and growth of the settlement along the Buckhannon River. 
Uncle Henry Westfall in his notes says that John Outright was a little boy, small 
of stature and martial in action. He was an Indian hater, always ready and 
anxious to do scouting and to shoot to death the savage. For years he was 
associated with the great scouts, William White, Jessie Hughes and Paul Shaver. 

William 0. Oarper tells us that when a boy he often saw and talked with 
John Outright, his youthful mind craving storfes of courage and heroism, and 
always implored Mr. Outright to tell him about his scouting in the year 1770 
and again in the year 1777, and his participation in the Bull Town massacre 
in the year 1772. Mr. Carper informs us that Outright was a profane man 
and always swore when relating the incident of his bein^ wounded by an Indian. 
The shot entered one side and came out on the other, going around the ribs. 
Where the bullet entered there seems to have been a sinking in of the flesh caused 
by deficient healing and when relating the circumstances of the fight with the 
Indian Outright would have the hearer feel the hole where the bullet entered, 
uttering, "There is where the damned 'Injun' shot me." 

John Outright was in the employ of the Oontinental Oongress during the 
Revolutionary War, as a scout, and for his services during the years from 1775 
to 1781 he afterwards received a pension. 

The census of pensioners of 1841, shows that John Outright was eighty- 
seven years old ; Philip Hunt, eighty-seven ; James Tenney, seventy-five years 
old; Jacob Hyre, eighty-three, and John Rains, eight-four years, were all, Revo- 
lutionary pensioners. 

John Outright lived most of life near the mouth of Outright's run four miles 
south of Buckhannon town. His children, Jacob, Ann, John, Jr., William, Isaac • 
and Ohristopher T. lived near him. He died in the year 1852 at the ripe old 
age of 105. At the time of his death he was at the home of his son William 
and had to be taken across the Buckhannon River in a canoe for burial. His 
remains were entered in the family graveyard by those of his wife and on what 
is now known as the Theodore Outright farm on the west side of the Buckhannon 
River, a short distance from the run which bears his name. 

Up to this time no woman was living in Buckhannon settlement. These 
back-woodsmen who dared to cross the forest-clad Alleghenies and plant frontier, 
settlements on the Buckhannon, had left the female and better half of their 
families in places of greater security and of more certainty of living. The men 
had come simply to raise a sufficiency of corn and other provisions to make 
certain that their depending ones would not suffer from hunger. Knowing that 
they were going to push past the settled regions and were plunging into a wilder- 
ness as leaders of the white advance, this action on their part was very wise, 
prudent and praiseworthy. So after the crops had been cultivated and laid by, 
many of these bold and hardy pioneers returned to their families on the South 
Branch on a visit; when they returned their crops were destroyed. The shaggy 



186 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 

mained buffalo no longer awed by the presence of the white man had entered 
into the fields, ate up and destroyed what promised to be a very large harvest. 

The removal of their families on account of forage of the herd of buffaloes 
must need to be postponed until 1770. But the stout hearted settler is not a 
victim of despair of such unfortunate circumstances as the loss of a crop. The 
winter was spent in clearing more acres by their axes and in holding them with 
their rifles, as well as providing meat and game for their sustenance. When plant- 
ing time came the acreage of forest was less, the land of cultivatTon was more. 
This summer's work brought forth abundant harvests which were garnered in 
and stored away in rude, wooden, temporary graineries. All were anxious and 
eager to return to the settlements on the South Branch, some to visit their former 
friends and others to bring back to their wilderness home the wife and children 
left behind a year ago, due to the exigencies of fate. Some were compelled to 
remain to guard and protect the gathered crops, while most hied away across the 
mountains to see their loved ones. After a short visit among the Trans-Appala- 
chian lowlands of the Potomac, the families of those bold men who had come 
after them bid a fond good-bye to their neighbors and started on their weary 
journey to their forest home. The road was rough, in places rocky and steep; 
the streams were deep and swift, and great fortitude was exhibited by women 
and children in reaching the small one-story, one-roomed cabin which was to be 
hereafter called, and known as their home. This cabin was made of round and 
unhewn logs. There was no floor at all in many ; puncheons or great slabs of wood, 
carefully hewed out, made the floor in those cabins whose owners were better off 
and more fortunate in worldly possessions, and the roof was constructed of clab- 
boards rived with an instrument called a frow. The home had been previously 
furnished with a table which was puncheon or a wide, long clabboard set on four 
wooden legs, some three legged stools and a couch or two whose coverings were 
mainly deer hides and bear skins. The clearings had been made in the most 
fertile portion of their land and were frequently far away from the house. There- 
fore, up to the very door sill the solemn and illimitable forest came ; there were 
ever present continuous, and endless woodlands. Large and towering trees 
whose lofty heads were lost in the intermingling foliage above impended their 
homes. Such was the gloomy welcome and aspects which confronted the ever- 
lasting view of the good house-wife, who was the mother of the sons and 
daughters whose great-great-grandchildren would see this very country teaming 
with toiling thousands, working in rich meadow land and on grassy hillsides or 
burrowing into the bowels of the earth to bring forth for man's comfort minerals, 
whose value transcends in richness and wealth the dazzling splendors of the 
Montezeumas. 

Very few additions to the population to the settlement was made in the year 
1 77 1, but 1772 witnessed considerable accessations to the Buckhannon and 
Hacker's Creek settlement. 

Samuel Oliver, planted his clearing on Cutright's run, on the John Burr, 
now D. D. T. Farnsworth heirs' land. Mr. Oliver had the first negro slave in 
Buckhannon valley. Thomas Carney, Zachariah Westfall and George Casto built 
their homes on Stony run about two miles south of Buckhannon. Joel Westfall 
on the river north of them and opposite the mouth of Ratcliffe's run ; Abraham 
Carper still lower down on the land now known as the Boom or South Buck- 
hannon ; Jacob Brake built his cabin north of the mouth of Fink's run, now in 
the limits of North Buckhannon. 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL'^N TROUBLES. 187 

Henry Jackson about a mile further north on the river; Edward Jackson 
near where the first M. E. Church now stands ; Jacob Hyre and Henry Fink, on 
Fink's run ; Mr. William Allman, Jacob Lorentz, and John Bozarth higher up on 
Fink's run, near the village of Lorentz ; John Hyre, Phillip Reger, John Tingle, 
Jacob Schoolcraft, Leonard Simon and Solomon Collins on Brushy Fork of Fink's 
run ; Jacob Post on the east side of Buckhannon river near the mouth of Little 
Sand run ; John Strader, John and Abraham Crites, Abraham Post, John Jack- 
son, Anthony Rhorbough and George Bush lived on either side of the Buckhannon 
river two or more miles north of Buckhannon with farms adjoining each other; 
Joseph Davis lived a short distance up Turkey run ; David Casto and the Sleeths 
planted themselves on the hilltop overlooking Turkey run. This increased 
population in Buckhannon settlement, early portended suffering on account of 
the small crops of the preceeding season. One informant tells us, that the bread 
stuff could be consumed before one-third of the winter had passed. Everybody 
expected the worst and laid himself to any labour whatsoever that promised 
relief or an extension of the time when their cornmeal would be exhausted. 
Meats of wild animals made up the major portion of the pioneers' bill-of-fare, and 
salt being scarce this diet became nauseous and demoralizing to good digestion. 
Such indeed was the state of suffering among the inhabitants consequent upon 
the scarcity of bread, salts, and vegetables, that the year 1773 is known in local 
traditionary legend as the starving year. Indeed had it not been for that bold, 
reckless and undaunted spirit, William Lowther and his neighbors, who desired 
to supply the starving settlers on the Buckhannon or at least to mitigate their suf- 
fering, many would have perished from hunger, fatigue and cold. His brave little 
band went from fort to fort on the West Fork. Elk and Tygarts valley rivers beg- 
ging for food or seizing it if it was not voluntarily given and carried it to the unsat- 
isfied, unhappy and needy settlers on the Buckhannon. So great was the success 
of the efforts of Mr. Lowther that his name has been transmitted to the descend- 
ants and posterity of those suffering families, hallowed by the blessings of those 
whose wants he contributed so largely to relieve. He was indeed a benefactor 
and perhaps a savior to Buckhannon settlement in its incipiency. 

Now William Lowther was the son of Robert and came with his father to 
the Hacker creek settlement in 1772. He soon became one of the most con- 
spicuous men in that section of country, while his private virtues and public 
actions endeared him to every individual of the community. During the war of 
1774 and subsequently, he was the most active and efficient defender of that 
vicinity, against the insidious attacks of the savage foe ; and there were very 
few, if any, scouting parties proceeding from thence, by which the Lidians were 
killed or otherwise much annoyed, but those which were commanded by him. 

WILLIAM WHITE, Sr. 

The first mention of the name of William White, a famous border scout, 
is in Samuel Kercheval's History of the "Valley of Virginia." The year 1734, 
witnessed his removal from Monoccacy, a fort town in Maryland about fifty 
miles east of Cumberland, on the Potomac River. His companions were Benja- 
min Allen and Riley Moore. They settled on the North Branch of the Shenan- 
doah, now in the county of Shenandoah, about twelve miles south of Woodstock. 
His physique, his courage and bravery induced him to enter into martial service, 
viz. : Protection to border settlers and even joining the invading armies against 



188 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 

the French. In the year 1768, we find him a captain and known as a brave and 
active Indian fighter. In that year he made a visit to his old friend and superior, 
Colonel William Crawford, who had moved and settled at the Meadows on the 
Allegheny Mountains. They had been neighbors. White living on Cedar Creek 
and Crawford on Bull Skin, and had been out together on Indian expeditions ; of 
course were well acquainted, good friends. 

One day White signified his desire to go on a hunt, and Crawford sent 
with him his Irish servant, a stout and active man. They had not been out long 
before they discovered two Indians in the glade. The Indians of course as 
soon as they saw them, flew behind trees and prepared for battle. White and 
the Irishman readily out-generaled and killed both. For this crime they were 
apprehended and committed to the Winchester jail, on the grave charge of mur- 
der in the first degree, but White had rendered his neighbors too many important 
services and was too popular to be allowed to languish loaded with irons in a 
dungeon, for killing an Indian. 

Although there seemed to be a cessation of Indian hostilities too many peo- 
ple were smarting under the recollection of outrages committed and experienced 
by and at the hands of the merciless savage. Captain Abraham Frye readily 
enlisted a party of fifty or sixty followers, well armed and mounted, to eft'ect 
the rescue of these prisoners. This little band of volunteers rode up to Isaac 
Hollingsworth's home, a short distance out of Winchester, a couple hours before 
daylight, and they left their horses under guard there and proceeded to Win- 
chester, reaching the jail about daybreak. They presented themselves to the jailor 
and demanded the keys. The jailor hesitated and began to remonstrate, but the 
rescuers were in no condition to hear remonstrances. Frye, the leader, presented 
his rifle, cocked and peremptorily demanded the keys, telling the custodian of 
the prisoners that one minute of time would be given him to deliver them. 
The jailer seeing the fierce determination and countenance and hearing the stern 
menances of Frye, complied. The doors were knocked oflf their hinges, the 
pvjsoners set free. 

William White now left this community to rid himself of further prosecu- 
tion, knowing that his absence from the town of Winchester and his home, would 
in time cause the dismissal of the charge of murder against him. 

We next find him among the settlers along the Tygart's \'alley and Buck- 
hann'n Rivers. He was employed to watch the paths and trails which the mur- 
derous Indians followed, in their invasions eastward and westward. During 
the time he was an Indian scout, he was exceeding useful to new settlers, was 
joyful in deceiving, escaping from and killing Indians. He loved to thwart the 
murderous designs of the savage, on the peace-loving whites. His most noted 
service? to tlie settlers were the following incidents. 

'i he oicHsion when William White, Thomas Drennen, Paul Shaver, and 
John Cutright and others were sent out by the settlers to watch the coming 
approach of the Indians in 1770; again his participation in the killing of Captain 
Bull's five families on the Little Kanawha in June. 1772, as a revenge of the 
n;assacre of Adam Stroud, his wife and seven children on Elk River, his capture 
with Leonard Petro by the Indians in 1777 while watching the paths leading up 
the Little Kanawha. 

Mr. L. V. McWhorter informs us of the following incident of his life : 
White and several of his neighbors were on a hunting expedition and ran into a 
small party of Indians. Several were killed by the hunters, one active young 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 189 

savage ran away. White took after him. They had it neck and neck. White 
was pushing his Indian foe so hard that he leaped from a precipice and alighted 
in a quagmire up to his waist. White with his tomahawk, jumped after him, 
a struggle ensued. White buried his tomahawk in the red man\ skull. The 
victim's father was among those who escaped and for several years this father 
lurked about the settlements trailing White. Finally he succeeded in finding 
an opportunity to shoot his man. 

On the 8th of March, 1782 or 1795, William White in company with Timothy 
Dornian and his wife, were crossing the Buckhannon River at the Heavner ford 
below the town of Buckhannon, when some guns were discharged at them. They 
were fired upon by a party of Indians in ambush ; and White being shot through 
the hip soon fell from his horse. The avenging Indian tried to get his scalp 
but an attacking party from Bush's Fort, having been on the outlook all day 
for something of this kind to happen, was so close upon the Indian avenger 
that he fled before accomplishing his object. 

The reason of the two dates above is that Henry Westfall in his notes says 
it ocurred in 1782, while the tombstone over the grave of White in the Heavner 
cemetery bears the date 1795. 

WILLIAM WHITE, Jr. 

William White, the Indian scout, left a son by the name of William White, 
and a daughter who married Joel Westfall, to survive him. This son was known 
throughout the settlements in Randolph county by his half woman, half man, half 
monster eccentric characteristics. He was as beardless as a babe in swaddling 
clothes and as tender and harmless as a youth just about to enter on the age of 
responsibility. He had small hands and small feet and was as poor as a church 
mouse. He spurned the possession of riches and lived and died in harmony 
with that sentiment. He might be properly called a vagabond traveling from 
house to house bartering his laurel root pipes, brass rings, darning needles, pewter 
buttons for anything which would satisfy the wants of his vicarious life. He 
was always followed by two or more docile dogs, ever smoked a laurel-root or 
corncob pipe and carried with him one or more for sale or traffic. 
Along late in the winter and during the spring he would beg garden seed 
and beg only for he never planted them or gave them away. He carried his 
seeds and goods in a reticule and never would sleep in a bed, much preferring 
the hard floor near an open door in summer and by the fire in winter, yet with 
all these aforenamed weaknesses and singular habits, "Bill" White possessed some 
admirable traits of character. He was apt, quick, knew the Bible by heart and 
delighted to contend with divines upon any theological question. This exorbi- 
tant desire for debate was stronger than his conscientious opinions, therefore 
he took any side of a question. He had a good mind and poetic temperament. 
William C. Carper relates this story in support of this last quality. "Bill" \\'hite 
had dug potatoes for Zed Lanham. the blacksmith at the town of Buckhannon, 
several days. Mr. Lanham became indebted to him for this work and for some 
reason deferred payment to White, who despairing of ever getting his hire, 
sought to even up with his bad paymaster by reciting this stinging epitaph: 

"Here lies a human prod, 

There lives no damneder dog. 

His head lies low, his body level. 

His soul hath gone to the devil." 



190 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL-\N TROUBLES. 

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS 

He attended school very little. The spirit of revenge was inherited and 
occasionally satisfied by William White, Jr. As an evidence of this, the tradi- 
tional story comes to us that a Mr. Buckey, of Beverly, had done him on one 
occasion an injustice and he wreaked his revenge on Mr. Buckey by throwing 
a dead dog into his well. He was never desirous to violate law, nor anxious to 
be apprehended by civil authorities so in this instance he covered his vindictive 
action by walking through to the town of Buckhannon after he had committed 
the aforesaid crime, reaching here early in the morning. 

William White, Sr.'s daughter married Joel Westfall, and their children 
were Henry F. Westfall, Wesley Westfall, Isaac Westfall and Polly Westfall, 
who married a Mr. Hughes of Lewis county. All the Hughes of Lewis county, 
can trace their genealogy back to White, the great Indian scout. 

FLIGHT OF 1770 AND PURSUIT OF INDIANS 

Many of the most thrilling incidents in the pioneer settlement on the waters 
of the Buckhannon, are like unto the common laws of England, unwritten, tradi- 
tional, handed from generations unto generations in fireside stories. Therefore 
many must be the names of heroes lost in the oblivion of bygone years because no 
one cared, peradventure was not able, to enroll them on the annals of the past, 
Such a chapter is the following : We know it only through traditional sources. 
Paul Shaver tells it to Colonel Henry F. Westfall, in 182 1, and he in turn con- 
verts it into notes and communicates it to the older citizens now living. 

Soon after the first settlement of the year 1770 had been made on the Tygarts 
Valley, Buckhannon and West Fork rivers and their tributaries and before many 
inroads and invasions had been made by the merciless savages on these pioneers 
for the purpose of killing and scalping men, women, and children or carrying 
them into captivity, arrangements were made by which spies or scouts were sent 
out to watch the movements and approach of the Indians, and to report same 
to the settlers. Indeed companies of these scouts or spies were organized and 
commanded by proper officials and were obliged to serve alternately by squads. 
Such military organizations were obtained in the summer of 1770, when a detach- 
ment of six men were sent out from Randolph County to spy on the maddened 
Indians. Four of this small company were, William White, Thomas Drenncn, 
Paul Shaver and John Cutright, the other two are unknown. 

John Cutright was youn^, a mere boy, small of size but not a drop of 
cowardly blood coursed his veins. The scouts went through the boundless forests 
following the meanderings of the Little Kanawha river to its conjunction with 
the Ohio. They descended this latter stream as far as the mouth of the Great 
Kanawha. Af*er a season of inspection, scouting and spying near the famous 
battle grounds of Point Pleasant they began their homeward journey, passing 
through the trackless wilderness country now embraced in Mason. Jackson, 
Roane, Calhoun, Gilmer, Braxton and Lewis Counties. They reached the head 
waters of the Little Kanawha river without having seen any trace of the savage. 
Game being bountiful along this river they resolved to spend a few days on a 
hunt. They pitched their camp on Stewart's Creek. Indian Summer was now on 
and the weather was all that could be desired by our scouts (now termed hunters). 
They never forgot themselves so much as to neglect watching the trail leading 




PROF H. i;. I'ARXSWORTH, AND HARPS. 



EARLY SETTLERS AND I\DL\N TROUBLES. 191 

up the little river near which they were camping, and over to the settlement on 
the West Fork. 

One evening after having spent a full day hunting deer, several of which 
they had killed and the haunch of one they were now roasting in their camp fire, 
they heard a noise, at first supposed to be calling of turkeys going to roost. Cut- 
right thinking that a variety of meat would be spice to their simple life, seized 
his gun saying he would get a turkey for supper. He walked very briskly 
toward where the turkey calling was heard ; he had not gone far before the 
turkeys were answering each other in different directions. This fact appealed 
to the strong perceptive faculties of White and aroused his suspicion that all was 
not right. He called to Cutright to return and let him go and discover the roost- 
ing place of the turkeys. He went but a short distance before he returned with 
the thrilling news that they were nearly surrounded by a band of Indians. The 
situation was dangerous and the camp fire by means of which the savage had 
located them was put out. An escape must be now efifected or in a short time 
the scouting party would be attacked. White was the leader, the rest were his 
followers. They stole away and traveled at a rapid gait over rocks, hills, and 
small streams for four miles before a halt was made. On the summit of a ridge 
they stopped to reconnoiter and to ascertain whether they were pursued or not. 
Hearing and seeing no signs of the pursuing Indians they rested here for an hour, 
during which time most of the party went to sleep. White alone being awake 
and on the lookout. Suddenly he called to his companions, "The Indians are upon 
us." He heard the whine of a dog. They took to their heels again till out of 
danger then walked on for several miles until they came to a creek of considerable 
size (most probably Leading Creek). Knowing the keen scent of the Indian 
canine and the impossibility of being traced in water they waded up this stream 
a mile and a half or more, coming out on the same side they had entered the 
stream. They now ascended a hill some distance to its summit, then turned down 
the stream, keeping about half a mile from it and going about the same distance. 
Here they halted once more for the purpose of rest and observation. The Indians 
must have pursued them uncomfortably close, for soon White detected their 
approach again. This time they descended the hill, crossed the stream behind 
the Indians, ascended the opposite elevation and took a course along the ridge 
which led in the direction they wished to go to find the path leading over onto the 
West Fork. The path could not be found and White concluded that in the dark- 
ness they had missed it. They decided to wait the coming of day. To afford 
themselves the most advantages, they ascended a high bluff to await the action 
of their pursuers. Again they were driven from their resting place out into the 
darkness of the night and forced to travel until about sunrise, when they de- 
termined to stop and if the Indians were not too many to give them battle. The 
most suitable position around them was selected and here they had to wait but 
for a short time before three Indians were seen on a neighboring hill. Seventeen 
others joined these three shortly afterwards and all seated themselves upon a 
fallen tree resting and talking and counselling. Presently they separated, twelve 
forming the pursuing party, eight returning. Six white men confronted by 
twelve red men ready for battle would be an easy proposition to wager money 
upon. Other things being equal superior numbers will win. Therefore our 
scouting party took themselves to flight rather than fight. Cutright being a mere 
boy and having traveled all day and night, now showed sign of great fatigue, 
but the others urged him on. White carried his gun and two others assisted 



192 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDLAN TROUBLES. 

him up the steepest hills, hoping thus to be able to bring him to the Buckhannon 
river where they thought the Indians would discontinue their pursuit. Cutright 
held out until the river was reached, when exhausted and crying he lay down and 
could not go farther. He said to his companions that he could welcome a natural 
death, but to be tomahawked and scalped by the savage was too hard to bear. 
■"Save yourselves by flight, but leave me to my fate," was the answer to the urgent 
appeals of his companions to proceed. But White said, "No, John, we will 
never leave you ; if one is left all will stay, fight and die together." White being 
a man of wonderful strength and endurance gave his gun to one of his com- 
panions, took Cutright upon his back and bore him beyond the river. Two other 
companions carried him to the summit of the river hill opposite the mouth of a 
run which was then named Cutright's run, and which was afterwards John Cut- 
right's home. Here all the party fell asleep, but White and Drennen, who stood 
on guard watching to see their pursuers cross the river. Soon three Indians 
approached the river on the opposite side and began to cross the stream. A 
battle was imminent and necessary. Drennen rushed back and aroused his com- 
panions. All returned except Cutright, who was too exhausted to do anything. 
They took their position and waited orders from White to fire. .A^t last the 
moment came. The three Indians were in a row. The report of the rifles rang 
out upon the air, two of the savages were killed and the third was anxious to 
retreat, but he was not to make his escape for White snatchd the gun which had 
failed to fire and shot the Indian just as he leaped the bank of the river. 

Now for the first time it was known to a certainty why the Indians were 
able to follow the trail so well. They had a dog which went in advance of his 
red master. This dog fell into the hands of the victors and became the property 
of White, who used him to good account afterwards, for it is said that White 
exchanged the same dog and gun for the Heavner farm, upon which the Buck- 
hannon or Bush Fort was afterward erected. 

MURDER OF CAPT. BULL AND FIVE FAMILIES OF DELAWARE 
INDIANS. 

In the year 1772 when so many new settlers came, the very atrocious act of 
murdering all the warriors, women and children of that Indian town on the Little 
Kanawha was perpetrated. 

Bulltown, for that was the name of this Indian village, was inhabited by 
five families, who were in habits of social and friendly intercourse with whites 
on Buckhannon and on Hacker's creek; frequently visiting and hunting with 
them. There was likewise residing on Gauley river, the family of a German by 
the name of Straud. 

In the summer of that year, Mr. Straud being from home his family were all 
murdered, his house plundered and his cattle driven oflf. 

The trail of the murderers leading in the direction of Bulltown, induced the 
supposition that the Indians of that village had been the authors of the outrage 
and caused several to resolve on avenging it on them. 

A party of five men, William White, William Hacker, Jessie Hughes, John 
Cutright and another expressed a determination to proceed immediately to Bull- 
town. 

The remonstrance of the settlement generally could not operate to effect a 
change in that determination. 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL\N TROUBLES. 193 

They went, and on their return, circumstances justified the belief that the 
pre-apprehension of those who knew the temper and feelings of White, Hacker 
and the others, had been well founded, and that there had been some fighting 
between them and the Indians ; notwithstanding that they denied ever having seen 
an Indian in their absence, yet it was the prevailing opinion that they had de- 
stroyed the men, women and children at Bulltown and threw their bodies into 
the river. Indeed, one of the party is said to have inadvertently, used expressions 
confirmatory of this opinion, and to have then justified the deed by saying that 
the clothes and other things known to have belonged to Straud's family were 
found in the possession of the Indians. 

The village was soon after visited and found to be entirely desolate and 
nothing being ever after heard of its former inhabitants there can remain no 
doubt but that the murder of Straud's family was requited on them. Here then 
was a fit time for the Indians to commence a system of retaliation and war, if 
they were disposed to engage in hostilities. 

Captain Bull had been a Delaware chief on the headwaters of the Susque- 
hanna river in the now state of New York. 

His attempt to unite the Delaware to Pontiac's conspiracy (1763), caused 
a strong party of whites and friendly Indians to seek, capture and convey him 
in irons to New York City. 

He was eventually discharged from prison. On reaching the Delaware 
towns he found them burned. His family of relatives moved with him to what 
the whites called Bulltown. on the Little Kanawha. Here was a saft spring to 
which the pioneer settlers went for salt. 

Captain Bull and his people did not murder the Stroud family — wife and 
seven children, and there was no ground for an attack upon him and his people. 
The Shawnees were the murderers of the Stroud family. 

CAPTURE OF WILLIAM WHITE AND LEONARD PETRO 

Withers's Chronicles says that in September of the year 1777 Leonard Petro 
and William White, being engaged in watching the path leading up the Little 
Kanawha, killed an Elk late in the evening ; and taking part of it with them, 
withdrew a short distance for the purpose of eating their suppers and spending 
the night. About midnight. White, awaking from sleep, discovered by the light 
of the moon that there were several Indians near, who had been drawn in quest 
of them by the report of the gun in the evening. He saw at a glance, the impossi- 
bility of escaping by flight; and preferring captivity to death, he whispered to 
Petro to lie still, lest any movement of his might lead to this result. In a few 
minutes the Indians sprang on them ; and White, raising himself as one lay hold 
on him, aimed a furious blow with his tomahawk, hoping to wound the Indian 
by whom he was beset, and then make his escape. Missing his aim he affected 
to have been ignorant of the fact that he was encountered by Indians, professed 
great joy at meeting with them, and declared that he was then on his way to their 
towns. They were not deceived by the artifice ; for although he assumed an air 
of pleasantness and gaity. calculated to win upon their confidence, yet the woeful 
countenance and rueful expression of poor Petro, convinced them that White's 
conduct was feigned ; that he might lull them into inattention, and then be enabled 
to effect an escape. They were both tied for the night ; and in the morning White 
being painted red, and Petro black, they were forced to proceed to the Indian 



194 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 

towns. When approaching a village, the whoop of success brought several to 
meet them ; and on their arrival at it, they found that every preparation was 
made for their running the gauntlet ; in going through which ceremony both 
were much bruised. White did not however remain long in captivity. Eluding 
their vigilance he took one of their guns and began his flight homeward. Before 
he had traveled far, he met an Indian on horseback, whom he succeeded in shoot- 
ing; and mounting the horse from which he fell, his return to the Valley was 
much facilitated. Petro was never heard of afterwards. The painting of him 
black had indicated their intention of killing him ; and the escape of White 
probably hastened his doom. 

The William White mentioned in this and succeeding narrations by Withers, 
was killed by the Indians at or near the Heavner ford below the town of Buck- 
hannon about the year 1795, at least the rough headstone of his grave bears that 
date. 

William White was Indian scout during the entirety of his long and useful 
life and the incident of his life here related, signifies the kind of man he was, 
his usefulness to new settlements and his professed great joy in deceiving 
and escaping from the Indians in order that he might be able again to thwart 
their evil designs upon the peace loving whites. 

HUGHES AND LOWTHER SHOT, ISAAC WASHBURN KILLED 

The avenging spirit of the savage over the massacre of Capt. Bull, exhibited 
itself in the Spring of 1778, when a party of t\yenty Indians made an attack 
upon the Hackers Creek and West Fork neighborhoods. The setttlers expecting 
such an invasion of the Indians they had taken the wise precaution in the winter 
preceeding, to move to West's Fort on the waters of Hackers Creek and to 
Richard's Fort on the waters of the West Fork river. These forts were the 
winter homes of the pioneers as well as the sure protection from the Indian 
ravages. They also afforded the families inhabiting them during the winter a 
splendid opportunity for social intercourse, cultivating a communistic and 
altruistic spirit of mind. The men would hunt game, bring it to the fort and 
share' it with all the inhabitants thereof. Spring approaching the women and 
children were left in these safe retreats during the day under the protection 
of a few men while the majority would perform the usual labors of their farms 
in companies, so as to preserve theirs and themselves from an attack of the 
Indians. Such companies of men were thus engaged during the first week in 
May, some fencing, others clearing, some plowing, and others rolling, when they 
were unexpectedly fired upon by the Indians. Thomas Hughes and Jonathan 
Lowther were shot down, the others being unarmed fled for safety. Two of the 
number being so situated as to have the Indians between them and West's Fort 
ran directly to Richard's Fort. The news of the approach of the enemy had 
already preceded them and every preparation possible had been made for defence 
and security. This news to the inhabitants of Richard's Fort was communicated 
in this way. Some hunters the day before had found the mangled remains of 
one, Isaac Washburn, who had been to mill on Hackers Creek and returning 
to Richard's Fort was shot from his horse, tomahawked and scalped. The 
Indians observing the ample preparations for defense and security of the forts 
and their inhabitants, refrained from further attacks and in a day or so left the 
neighborhood. The whites were too weak to go in pursuit and molest them. 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL\N TROUBLES. 195 

MRS. FREEMAN KILLED, AND PURSUIT OF THE INDIANS 

Again in the month of June, 1778, as three women from West's Fort were 
peacefully gathering greens in the adjoining field, four vindictive Indians lying 
in wait, fell upon them, one shot only was fired, and it passed through the bonnet 
of Mrs. Hacker, who was afifrighted, screamed and ran toward the fort with all 
her might. Another Indian carrying a long staiif with a spear in one end pursued 
the fleeing woman closely and thrust his staf? at Mrs. Freeman with such force 
and violence that when it struck her in the back below the shoulder it pierced 
the body through, coming out at the left breast. Falling she was immediately 
set upon and tomahawked by her Indian pursuers, who cleft the upper part of 
her head oflf and carried it away by the hair to save the scalp. Just before this 
occurred the men who had been alarmed at the fort by the wild screams of Mrs. 
Hacker, ran out with their guns and fired just as Mrs. Freeman fell. They did 
not preventj:he Indian from getting her scalp. The shots served however to 
warn the men who were out of the fort that danger was at hand ; and they quickly 
came in. 

Jesse Hughes, a man of fierce and unbridaled passions, a confirmed Indian 
hater and most cruel in his punishment of the savage, and John Schoolcraft, 
with almost the opposite human attributes and temperament, while making their 
way to the fort saw two Indians standing by the fence. So intently watching the 
movements of the men at the fort were they that they succeeded in passing them 
unseen, their entrance to the fort being undiscovered. Hughes, as soon as he 
could get his gun, proposed to go out and get the corpse of Mrs. Freeman. 
Others went with him. Now a pursuing party was made up consisting of 
Charles and Alexander West, Charles Hughes, brother of Jesse's, John Brown, 
John Sleeth and Jesse Hughes. They started to the place where Hughes had 
seen the two Indians leaning on the fence. Before reaching the place an Indian 
was heard to howl like a wolf. (A signal among the savages). And this call 
was answered by a similar howl ; and the men proceeded in the direction from 
whence the sound came. Nearing the spot where the sound appeared to be 
Jesse Hughes also howled, was instantly answered, and he with his companions 
ran to a summit of the hill and looking over it saw two Indians coming towards 
them in answer to Hughes' signal. Hughes fired and an Indian was killed, the 
other took to flight. The fugitive sprang into a thicket of laurel and underbrush. 
His pursuers proceeded to surround the hiding place of their foe and especially 
put forth every efifort to intercept him in coming out on the opposite side. The 
Indian was too cunning for the white man for he came out where he entered 
and made his escape. In their anxiety to catch and kill the fugitive Indian they 
neglected the wounded one. It is said that one of the men stopped when near 
by the fallen Indian and was for finishing him ; but Hughes imperatively called 
to him. "He is safe, let us have the other." And they all obeyed Hughes. The 
wounded Indian recovered his feet and was making tracks for his escape. 
His bleeding wounds enabled the pursuers to follow him some distance, but 
presently a heavy rain fell, rapidly obliterating the trail and trace of blood and 
they were obliged to give up the chase. 

These were some of the invasions made by the savage in 1778. Many others 
of greater consequence, of more murder and of wider devastation were made, 
but they were in other sections of Northwest Virginia than the locality with which 
this annal deals. 




BUSH'S FORT 
Built in reply to the warning letter of Major Connolly, proxy of Earl of Dunmore, sent 
out in 1774 to build and retire into forts as the Indians were mad. 



These frequent inroads of small parties of Indians resulted in much harm 
to the many settlements which they attacked. They required if fhe settlements 
were to be maintained, greater preparations for security by the settlers or they 
were implored by the suffering from these renewed hostilities, fo make a total 
abandonment of their pioneer homes. This last occurred with the settlement 
on Hackers Creek in 1779. when some of its inhabitants forsook the country and 
returned to the waters of the Potomac : while others went to the Bushes Fort 
on the Buckhannon and to Nutters Fort near Clarksburg, to aid in resisting the 
foe, and in retaining possession of the country. The other settlements were 
strengthened by the accession of emigrants from Hackers Creek and the east, 
which enabled them to enter the campaign of the next year better prepared to 
protect themselves from invasion and shield the inhabitants from the wrath of 
the savage enemy. 1780 found forts in every settlement to which the settlers could 
flee when danger threatened and which were strong enough to withstand the 
assaults of the Indians however furious they might be. It was very fortunate 
for the country that such was the case and that a paucity of number was in great 
part made up by the strength of fortification. 

The Heroine, Mrs. Boz.-\rth. In month of April, 1780. two or three families 
on Dunkard's Creek, hearing of the violent movement of the Indians against 
Pricket's Fort, decided to collect themselves at the house of Mr. Bozarth, thinking 
that they would be more safe when together than apart. One day two children ran 
into the house from their play exclaiming to Mr. Bozarth and his two neighbors 
that there were "ugly red men coming." One of the neighbors on going to the 
door to see if the children had given a true alarm, received a glancing shot in 
his breast from one of the Indians. This caused him to fall back and the Indian 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDLAN TROUBLES. 197 

who shot him immediately sprang after the wounded man. He was checked by 
the other white man and was thrown on the floor. The victor in the contest 
having no weapon with which to wound the Indian, called to Mrs. Bozarth for 
a knife. There was none handy ; but an axe was seized by her and at one blow 
the brains of the prostrate savage were let out. And now a second Indian entered 
the door and shot dead the man astride the Indian on the floor. Mrs. Bozarth 
turned her wrath on him and with a well directed blow emboweled and caused 
him to bawl out for help. Other Indians endeavored to enter the home. The 
first that stuck his head through the door had it cleft by the axe of Mrs. Bazarth. 
The second, seeing the violent desperation of the inmates seized his wounded, 
yelling companion and drew him from the house. When Mrs. Bozarth and the 
white man who had been first wounded, closed and made fast the door. The 
children playing in the open yard were all killed. But for the heroism of Mrs. 
Bozarth and the wounded white man the attempts of the Indians to force open 
the door and take possession of the house would have been successful. 

A relief party from the neighboring settlement soon gave the inmates liberty. 
Withers says that from the first alami from the children to the closing of the 
door consumed only three minutes and in this time Mrs. Bozarth with infinite 
coolness, deliberation and intrepidity killed three Indians. 

LEONARD SCHOOLCRAFT MADE PRISONER 

A short time only elapsed before other Indian ravages were perpetrated. 
The presence of the savage foe during this year was constant. They were fre- 
quently seen by hunters and settlers going from settlement to settlement, some- 
times very near the barricades and forts which gave the settlers protection. One 
of these parties of Indians was loitering about the Buckhannon settlement in the 
month of May, when they made prisoner Leonard Schoolcraft, a youth of about 
sixteen, who had been sent out from the fort on some business. They carried 
him away to their town and there made great preparations to test his courage, 
strength and endurance. He was informed that he must run the gauntlet, which 
in this case was to defend himself against the vigorous blows of the young 
Indians who would be placed in a circle to pursue him and to beat him. School- 
craft was active, energetic and athletic and was glad of the opportunity to have 
his fate settled in this way. He defended himself with remarkable coolness and 
bravery by well timed blows, frequently knocking down those young Indians who 
came near him. This struggle afforded much entertainment and amusement to 
the warriors present and watching. On account of his able defense Leonard 
Schoolcraft was adopted into the tribe and afterwards became a guide and leader 
to the Indians. His knowledge of the locality of the settlements and the country 
round about them made him a very useful guide to the savages in making suc- 
cessful incursions upon the country. 

JOHN SCHOOLCRAFT'S FAMILY KILLED OR MADE PRISONERS. 

The capture of young Schoolcraft induced the Indians to make another in- 
vasion at once. The families who had been living during the winter in Bushes 
Fort were anxious to get to their respective plantations for spring work. Several 
of them had gone out to their homes under the belief that the season was so far 
advanced that the Indians would not again come among them. Disappointment 
met them. For on a day when the men of the families in and out of the fort had 



198 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL\x\ TROUBLES. 

met at the fort for the purpose of electing a captain and otherwise completing 
their military organization, some Indians fell upon the family of John Schoolcraft, 
killing the wife and eight children, and carrying into captivity two children, boys, 
who perhaps were made members of the tribe, and in subsequent years led many 
Indian parties against the settlements. A small girl, one of the eight children, 
who had been tomahawked and scalped most brutally, was found the next day yet 
alive with her brains oozing out. She was taken to her home and lived several 
days before dying from the fatal fracture of the skull. 

SIEGE OF WEST'S FORT AND RELIEF PARTY THERETO. 

With the abandonment of West's Fort in 1779, came its total destruction by 
the Indians. Mr. L. V. McWhorter says that this fort stood on an eminence where 
is now the residence of Minor C. Hall. He also says that the fort was destroyed 
with fire. In the spring of 1780, the whites again returned to their clearings on 
Hackers Creek and the new fort had to be erected, locally called Beech Fort, 
"because built entirely of beech logs — beech trees standing very thick in this 
locality." This new fort however, was only a few hundred yards from the old 
and was in a low marshy place as compared with the sight of the old fort. On 
account of its proximity to the old fort the new one was generally known by the 
same name. These returning families went into the new fort upon its completion, 
but were not there very long before the savages made their appearance and 
entered upon a siege against it. The inhabitants incarcerated in the fort seeing 
the superior number of the Indians rightly decided that they were too weak to 
go out and give battle to the investing foe. Neither did they know when or 
how soon relief to their situation could come. Their store of provisions ran 
down and despair stared them in the face, when Jesse Hughes, a benefactor in 
all such trying circumstances, resolved to have assistance to drive off the enemy. 
Going out of the fort one exceeding dark night he eluded the Indian sentinels 
and made his way to Bushes Fort on the Buckhannon river. He appealed to the 
settlers to go to the rescue of his imprisoned neighbors and his appeal was met 
by a ready response. An efficient and daring relief party was soon organized 
and went out by night to drive off the besiegers. The Indians gave them no 
battle, but allowed them to enter the fort and give rescue to the hungry inhabi- 
tants. A decision was there and then made to abandon the place once more and 
remove to Buckhannon. The savages observed their determination to leave the 
fort and waited for them to take their departure. On their way over to Bushes 
Fort every device known to savage cunning and audacity was put into operation 
to effect the division of the company so that the retreating settlers might be made 
weak enough to fall victims to a vigorous attack. The white men were too 
cautious and well organized to fall into any such trap and they all reached the 
fort in safety. 

Withers says, "Two days after this, as Jeremiah Curl. Henry Fink and 
Edmond West, three old men, and Alexander West, John Cutright and Simon 
Schoolcraft, were returning to the fort with some of their neighbors' property, 
they were fired at by the Indians who were lying concealed along the run bank. 
Curl was slightly wounded under the chin, but disdaining to fly without making 
a stand he called to his companions, "stand your ground, for we arf able to whip 
them." At this instant a lusty warrior drew a tomahawk from his belt and rushed 
toward him. Nothing daunted by the danger which seemed to threaten him. Curl 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL^N TROUBLES. 199 

raised his gun ; but the powder being damp from the blood from his wound, did 
not fire. He instantly took up West's gun (which he had been carrying to relieve 
West from part of his burden) and discharging it at his assailant, brought him to 
the ground. The whites being by tfcis time rid of their encumbrances, the Indians 
retreated in two parties and pursued different routes, not, however, without being 
pursued. Alexander West being swift of foot, soon came near enough to fire, 
and brought down a second, but having only wounded him, and seeing the Indian 
spring behind trees, he could not advance to finish him ; nor could he again shoot 
at him, the flint having fallen out when he first fired. John Jackson (who was hunt- 
ing sheep not far off) hearing the report of the guns, ran towards the spot and being 
in sight of the Indian when West shot, saw him fall and afterwards recover and 
hobble off. Simon Schoo'.traft, following after West, came to him just after 
Jackson with his gun cocked, and asking where the Indians were, was advised 
by Jackson to get behind a tree, or they would soon let him know where they 
were. Instantly the report of a gun was heard, and Schoolcraft let fall his arm. 
The ball had passed through it, and striking a steel tobacco box in his waistcoat 
pocket, did him no further injury. Outright, when West fired at one of the In- 
dians, saw another of them drop behind a log, and changing his position, espied 
him, where the log was a little raised from the earth. With steady nerves, he 
drew upon him. The moaning cry of the savage, as he sprang from the ground 
and moved haltingly away, convinced them that the shot had taken effect. The 
rest of the Indians continued behind trees, until they observed a reinforcement 
coming up to the aid of the whites, and they fled with the utmost precipitancy. 
Night soon coming on, those who followed them had to give over the pursuit. 

A company of fifteen men went early next morning to the battle ground, and 
taking the trail of the Indians and pursuing it some distance came to where they 
had some horses (which they had stolen after the skirmish) hobbled out on a 
fork of Hacker's creek. They then found the plunder which the savages had 
taken from neighboring houses, and supposing that their wounded warriors were 
near, the whites commenced looking for them, when a gun was fired at them by 
an Indian concealed in a laurel thicket, which wounded John Cutright. The 
whites then caught the stolen horses and returned with them and the plunder to 
the fort. John Cutright was wounded on Laurel Lick near Berlin, W. Va. 

Austin Schoolcraft and Niecb Killed. For some time after this there 
was nothing occurring to indicate the presence of Indians in the Buckhannon set- 
tlement, and some of those who were in the fort, hoping that they should not 
be again visited by them this season, detennined on returning to their homes. 
Austin Schoolcraft was one of these, and being engaged in removing some of his 
property from the fort, as he and his niece were passing through a swamp on their 
way to his house, they were shot at by some Indians. Mr. Schoolcraft was killed 
and his niece taken prisoner. 

These are some of the outrages committed by the savages against pioneers 
of Buckhannon and West Fork, since the arrival of the Pringle brothers at the 
mouth of Turkey Run and extending over a period of more than ten years. No 
wonder that so many of these early settlers turned scouts, and with an immeasura- 
ble hatred, hunted down and killed with impunity the savage or any of his kin 
who had inflicted these uncalled for devastations and murders. To the settlers 
"War was indeed hell," but war if it must be, would terminate with them only 
when might made right. Accordingly renewed efforts were successfully made 



200 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL^N TROUBLES. 

laying in ammunition, installing stronger defenses and getting ready to conquer 
the impending peril to their homes. 

Finale of the Schoolcr.xft Family. No family that settled in Western 
Virginia suffered so much from Indian atrocities as did this one. The reader is 
already aware of some brutal ravages made upon the Schoolcraft family. In April 
of 1781, its total extinguishment from the settlements in this part of the country 
occurred, when on the occasion of Matthias, Simon and Michael Schoolcraft 
being observed by lurking Indians were killed and captured. Withers claims 
that these three brothers had gone onto the waters of Stone Coal Creek, to catch 
pigeons and Henry F. Westfall takes issue with Withers's cause for their absence 
from the fort and says that they had gone down the Buckhannon river on a hunt. 
The latter seems the more probable reason and direction of the going of the 
brothers when they were attacked by Indians, Matthias being killed, the other two 
being taken captives. These were the last of this remarkable family. All told 
fifteen members of this family had come into the settlements and in a few short 
years had been either killed or taken prisoners. Those who were carried away 
never returned. It is believed that they became members of the Indian tribes 
which captured them and as members of these tribes they acquired by association 
the same savage habits, custom and love for war. It is also known that three of 
this captured family accompanied war parties in their incursions into the settle- 
ments, and were heinous in their treatment of the whites who fell into their 
hands in their skirmishes and attacks. The founder of this family is said to 
have come originally to New York state and from there moved onto the upper 
Monongahela induced by an over zealous propensity to possess large landed 
properties. LTn fortunately this family early fell a prey to the relentless and ever 
vigilant savage. It is also known that this Virginia family was distantly con- 
nected with that of the distinguished author, Henry R. Schoolcraft, whose notable 
work published in 1851 is both creditable to him and the cause of American 
literature. How divergent were the aims, intentions, and action of these two 
branches of one family in the ninteenth century, the first engaged in the nefarious 
business of deceiving, intriguing and killing white people, the last devoted to a 
study of the means for the bettering and promotion of good conditions among 
those very people (Indians) whom his nephews were leading in their efforts to 
exterminate totally the white race. 

Fatalities to the Fink Family. About the year 1772, Henry Fink in 
company with Robert Cunningham, John Goff and John Minear, settled in the 
Horseshoe bottoms of the Cheat river in the neighborhood of Parsons, W. Va. 
Fink for good reasons did not live in this settlement very long, but soon came to 
the Buckhannon settlement. He chose for his home here a site a half mile above 
the mouth of the creek that now bears his name. This land is now owned by 
, William D. Famsworth, and his heirs. Fink was an industrious and progressive 
citizen. He worked with a vigor and determination that accomplished much good 
to himself and to his neighbors, his clearings were the largest and best in the 
settlement, consisting largely of improvements of the beautiful bottoms around 
his home. His crops were large, general, and various, for a new settlement. 
Especially was this so with his corn crops whose size both delighted him and 
interested his neighbors. To make the Indian corn of his own and his neighbors 
farm more palatable he built the first grist mill in the Buckhannon settlement. 
But Henry Fink, like his neighbors suffered from the revengeful spirit of the 
savage. On the fourth of February, 1782, while he and his sons were engaged 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL\N TROUBLES. 201 

in the peaceful happy labor of drawing rails and fencing their corn field several 
guns were fired at them. The hour of the day was early morning, just as the 
sun was rising over the eastern hill tops, and telling the inhabitants of the new 
World that Old Sol was coming to gladden and to make happy. Things at this 
hour of the day are not as distinct as they might be and Henry not seeing his 
son called to him, but before John, the son, could make reply to his father's 
inquiry whether he was hurt, another and fatal shot was fired and he fell lifeless. 
His remains lie interred in the Heavner Cemetery, the site of the old fort, where 
a rough stone stands bearing his name, by whom killed and the date, February 
4th, 1782. The elder Fink seeing what happened and unfastening as fast as he 
could the log chain which held in its cold embrace the rails at one end and was 
fastened to the horse at the other, betook himself in perilous rapidity on a 
frightened horse away from Indian sight, aim, and danger. Arriving at his home 
safely and quickly, he commanded his family to move immediately to the fort. 
In fear, and trembling and excitement the next twenty-four hours were spent by 
the settlers. The lifeless body of John was brought to the fort on the succeeding 
day, and on examination it was found that he had a ball in one arm and a second 
one had passed through his heart. Of course he was scalped and one more trophy 
was added to the list of rewards for savage bravery. 

Providence decreed that Henry Fink was too valuable a man to fall in death 
at the hands of a ferocious Indian at that time, but subsequently the same fate 
befell him as that of his son. He was laying down a pair of bars leading from 
one field to another, near where the Beverly Pike crosses the Buckhannon and 
Clarksburg Pike in the town of Buckhannon, when a party of Indians in ambush 
shot and killed him. We know not what became of the other members of this 
family. 

John Jackson and Son Fired Upon. During the summer of 1782, as John 
Jackson and his son George were returning to the fort from a hunting expedition, 
they were fired at by some Indians loitering in the neighborhood. Their shots 
went wild and no damage was done. But George Jackson being on his guard was 
carrying his gun with an expectation of either seeing some game or observing 
these very terriors to his neighbors. He discharged his gun at one of them peep- 
ing from behind a tree, and came so near shooting him that it alarmed him and 
he ran ofif, followed by the rest of his party at utmost speed. 

Murder of Edmond West. On the fifth day of December, 1787, a party of 
Indians led by the unscrupulous Leonard Schoolcraft, made an attack on the 
Hackers Creek settlement, first by taking captive Jesse Hughes's daughter, and 
second by making prisoner Edmond West, Sr., who was feeding his stock at the 
time the Indians came upon him. This old man begged for mercy, but mercy 
droppeth not like the gentle dew from heaven out of an Indian's nature, and his 
appeal was answered by harsh blows of the tomahawk, killing the old man. The 
several Indians who had been hunting for victims to vent their ferocity upon, 
now came together and went to the home of Edmond West, Jr., where Mrs. 
West, a Miss Hacker, daughter of John Hacker, and the youngest brother of 
Edmond West, a lad of twelve, were. Schoolcraft and two Indians broke dow-n 
the barricaded door and entered the home. Full vent was given to their fiendish 
natures, first by the killing of Mrs. West, then the boy, both of whom were toma- 
hawked. Miss Hacker was struck at and received a glancing lick on her neck. 
She lay as if dead, but the reverse was true and after the invaders of this home 
had gotten all the milk, butter, bread and meat, which their hungry appetites 



202 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 

craved and after emptying the bedticks of their feathers and bagging them for 
exportation, scalping the woman and boy, they dragged Miss Hacker forty or 
fifty yards by the hair of the head, threw her over a fence and scalped her. 

Schoolcraft now saw that she was simulating death and was showing 
vigorous signs of life. He commanded one of the Indians to thrust the knife into 
her and it struck a rib, not inflicting a fatal wound. Old Mrs. West and her two 
daughters, Elizabeth and Hada, who were alone when the old gentle- 
man was taken, became uneasy that he did not return, and fearing that he had 
fallen into the hands of savages (as they could not otherwise account for his 
absence) they left the house and went to Alexander West's, who was then on a 
hunting expedition with his brother Edmond. They told of the absence of old 
Mr. West and their fears for his fate, and as there was no man here, they went 
over to Jesse Hughes's who was himself uneasy that his daughter did not come 
home. Upon hearing that West too was missing, he did not doubt but that both 
had fallen into the hands of Indians ; and knowing of the absence from home 
of Edmond West, Jr., he deemed it advisable to apprize his wife of danger, and 
remove her to his house. For this purpose and accompanied by Mrs. West's two 
daughters, he went on. On entering the door, the tale of destruction which had 
been done there was soon told in part. Mrs. West and the lad lay weltering in 
their blood, but not yet dead. The sight overpowered the girls, and Hughes had 
to carry them off. Seeing that the savages had but just left them, and aware of 
the danger which would attend any attempt to move out and give the alarm that 
night, Hughes guarded his own house until day, when he spread the sorrowful 
intelligence, and a company were collected to ascertain the extent of the mischief 
and try to find those who were known to be missing. 

Young West was found — standing in the creek about a mile from where he 
had been tomahawked. The brains were oozing from his head, yet he survived in 
extreme suffering for three days. Old Mr. West was found in the field where 
he had been tomahawked. Mrs. West was in the house; she had probably lived 
but a few minutes after Hughes and her sister-in-law had left there. Their 
little girl (Hacker's daughter) was in bed at the house of old Mr. West. She 
related the history of the transactions at Edmond West's Jr., and said that she 
went to sleep when thrown over the fence and was awakened by the scalping. 
After she had been stabbed at the suggestion of Schoolcraft and left, she tried 
to recross the fence to the house, but fell back. She then walked into the woods, 
sheltered herself as well as she could in the top of a fallen tree, and remained 
there until the cocks crew in the, morning. Remembering that there was no 
person left alive at the house of her sister, a while before day she proceeded to 
old Mr. West's. She found no person at home, the fire nearly our, but the hearth 
warm and she laid down on it. The heat produced a sickly feeling, which caused 
her to get up and go to bed, in which she was found. She recovered, grew up, 
was married, gave birth to ten children, and died, as was believed, of an affec- 
tion of the head, occasioned by the wound she received that night. Hughes' 
daughter was ransomed by her father the next year, and is yet living (1831) in 
sight of the theater of those savage enormities. 

MURDER OF BUSH AND TWO CHILDREN 

The same John Bush, after whom the fort on Buckhannon River was named, 
removed after some years of residence in this section to Freeman's Creek, Lewis 




STONE CULVERT BRIDGE ACROSS FINK S RUN. 





A HERD OP CRADED CATTLE. 




OCK OF SOUTHDOWN SHEEP 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL\X TROUBLES. 203 

County, and there on the 24th of April, 1791, met his death at the vile hands of 
the Indians. On that morning he sent his two children to drive up the cows and 
was alarmed by their screams soon after their departure. He got up and took 
down his gun and hastened to leave the house to ascertain the cause of the 
children's screams, when he was met at the door by an Indian, who seized the gun, 
wrenched it from his strong grip, and shot him. Bush fell dead on his own 
threshold and an attempt was made to scalp him. But it was thwarted by the 
heroism of Mrs. Bush, who, like a fierce tigress, made after the Indian with a 
sharp axe. He pulled the axe away from her, but she withdrew into the house 
and secured the door. The Indians bombarded the home with everything they had 
at their command, they fired eleven shots through the frock of Mrs. Bush, some 
grazing the skin. One savage stuck his gun through a hole between the logs and 
shot, hoping thus to more certainly kill the woman, but she fought them off in 
one way and another until the approaching steps of a relief party were heard 
by the savages. It was Adam Bush who, hearing the screams of the children 
and the firing of the gun rushed post haste to learn what had happened. His 
dogs in crossing the Creek made the noise that was the alarm to the savages. 
The two children were carried away and brutally slaughtered and scalped by 
their captors. The pursuing company which went forth for the two-fold purpose 
of avenging Bush's death and rescuing his children were once so close upon the 
Indians that they were forced to fly precipitately, leaving the plunder and seven 
horses which they had taken from the settlement. This event occurred near the 
mouth of Little Kanawha. The horses and plunder were brought home. 

NICHOLAS CARPENTER EPISODE 

In the month of September, 1791, Nicholas Carpenter set off to Marietta 
with a drove of cattle to sell to those who had established themselves there ; and 
when within some miles from the Ohio river, encamped for the night. In the 
morning early, and while he and the drovers were yet dressing, they were alarmed 
by a discharge of guns, which killed one and wounded another of his party. The 
others endeavored to save themselves by flight ; but Carpenter being a cripple 
(because of a wound received some years before) did not run far, when finding 
himself becoming faint, he entered a pond of water where he fondly hoped he 
should escape observation. But no, both he and a son, who had likewise sought 
security there, were discovered, tomahawked and scalped. George Legget, one 
of the drovers, was never after heard of. But Jesse Hughes succeeded in getting 
off though under disadvantageous circumstances. He wore long leggins, and 
when the firing commenced at the camp, they were fastened at top to his belt, 
but hanging loose below. Although an active runner, yet he found that the pur- 
suers were gaining and must ultimately overtake him if he did not rid himself 
of this incumbrance. For this purpose he halted somewhat and stepping on the 
lower part of his leggins, broke the strings which tied them to his belt ; but before 
he accomplished this, one of the savages approached and hurled a tomahawk at 
him. It merely grazed his head, and he then again took to flight and soon got off. 

It was afterwards ascertained that the Indians by whom this mischief was 
effected, had crossed the Ohio river near the mouth of Little Kanawha, where 
they took a negro belonging to Captain James Neal, and continued on towards 
the settlements on West Fork, until they came upon the trail made by Carpenter's 
cattle. Supposing that they belonged to families moving, they followed on until 



204 EARLY SETTLERS A\D I\DL\X TROUBLES. 

they came upon the drovers; and tying the negro to a sapling made an attack 
on them. The negro availed himself of their employment elsewhere, and loosing 
the bands which fastened him, returned to his master. 

It is said that General Tecumseh, the justly celebrated Indian chief, was 
with the party of Indians in May, 1792, which came into the Hackers Creek 
settlement and totally destroyed the Waggoner family either by instant death or 
by captivity. And some even go the extent to say that Tecumseh was born on 
Jesse's run and came back there for the purpose of avenging the outrage which 
the whites had committed against his copper colored race in taking and settling 
their land. 

ABANDONiMENT OF BUSHES FORT 

For years after the capture of Timothy Dorman the settlers on the Buck- 
hannon lived in constant dread. The foundation of their fear was well founded 
in their knowledge of the disposition and character of their once neighbor whose 
enmity toward certain settlers was well known and would in time bring him back 
to plunder, destroy and murder. Therefore, the brave settlers who formed the 
vanguard of the army of settlers who were later to take, possess and hold tl;e 
numerous hills and valleys in this county, rightfully acted in leaving the fort. 
Their departure was not quiet for on one occasion when the inhabitants were mov- 
ing their property to a fort on Tygart Valky, a party of savages attacked them 
and Michael Hagle and Elias Painter were killed. The small ill-fed horse of 
John Bush was brought down by a shot, and he was near being caught while 
extricating himself from under the fallen animal. With a desperation of death 
staring him in the face, he crawled out from under his animal and ran off with 
such perseverance and indefatigable continuance that the pursuing Indians soon 
gave up hope of captivity. Edward Tanner, a mere boy, was taken prisoner and 
while on his way to the Indian town was met by twenty or more savages under 
Timothy Dorman intending to attack the Buckhannon fort. Dorman learned of 
him that the inhabitants were abandoning the settlement and purposed to be out 
of danger before the arrival of his followers to accomplish the bloody deed of 
destruction. All were safe within other fortresses ere the coming of Donuan 
and his party into the country. Some days after the evacuation of the fort some 
former inmates thereof came from Clarksburg to carry away the gram and other 
provisions they had left here. On coming in sight of their former protection 
a horrible sight met their eyes. The fort had been completely destroyed by fire 
and the Indians were lurking in the neighborhood. Being discouraged but not 
despairing they proceeded from farm to farm, collecting the grain with the utmost 
vigilance and caution. The night they stayed in the house which Bush had 
vacated they found a paper with the name of Timothy Dorman, and containing 
much information about the location and persons of Buckhannon settlement. This 
disciivery made them more apprehensive and cautious and turning what way they 
may it would have been no surprise to have been attacked by Dorman and his band. 
Indeed the next morning they had to make a bold stand of fight to the Indians 
who, seeing the inhabitants coming in twos and fours from the vacant house 
hastily withdrew into the dense forest. That night Captain George Jackson 
went on double quick time all the way to Clarksburg to get defenders 
which on their arrival scared away Dorman and the Indians and enabled the 
provision grain under the escort to leave the place unharmed and unhurt. Dorman 
and his band went directly to Tygarts \'alley where between \\'etsfall and \\'illson 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL\N TROUBLES. 205 

forts they came upon John Bush and his wife, Jacob Stalnaker and his son Adam. 
The only fatahty resulting from this encounter was Adam Stalnaker. This was 
perhaps in 1782. 

INDIAN FORAY OF 1795 

This year witnessed Waynes rebellion in western Pennsylvania and made 
thirsty the revengeful spirit of every savage connected therewith. A dozen 
years of quiet and repose must now be followed by a period of aggression, de- 
struction and murder. During that famous summer the trail of a band of 
savages was first observed on Leading Creek, leading in the direction of the 
settlements on West Fork, Buckhannon or Tygarts \'alley. Familiarity with 
the uncertain minds of the Indians led the detectives of this trail to at once ap- 
prise the settlement of their intelligence. A messenger on the swiftest horse 
'was sent to these settlements and advice of measures of defense and protection 
were freely communicated. Immediate and vigorous action was taken by all 
except those on the Buckhannon. They had been left so long in peace and 
quietness that they could not think that danger was apparent. They treated the 
ir.essage as a false alarm and no precautionar\- means were observed. They 
continued to pursue their usual avocation without cessation and with impunity when 
on the day following the express while John Bozarth, Sr., and his sons George 
and John, engaged in hauling grain from the field to the house on their farm 
near Lorentz, W. Va., heard agonizing screams at their home and they hastened 
to ascertain the cause and remove it if possible. George Bozarth while being 
very fat and carrying a weight of over three hundred pounds, was yet more 
agile and active than his father or brother. He reached the house first, followed 
closely by his paternal ancestor. Zed Bozarth, a simple and idiotic member of 
this family, was cursing the Indians and accusing them of all the foul crimes 
known to border warfare. Neither command of father nor persuasion of brother 
could close his insane mouth. The father with true parental solicitude on seeing 
an Indian approach George cried to him, "See, George, an Indian is going to 
shoot you." George seeing the drawn rifle and the proximity of his foe to him 
could not withdraw, but instead gazed intently and fiercely upon the murderous 
savage watching every movement of his hand and fingers. At the instant the 
trigger was about to be pulled he fell to the ground and simulated death, the 
ball whizzing by him in the air The savage passed by him, thinking him dead 
and proceeding to get the father. The old gentleman being no drone in sprinting, 
outran and outwitted his pursuer so badly that the Indian, despairing of overtak- 
ing him, threw with terrific -force his tomahawk at his head. It went amiss its 
mark ; the old gentleman got safely off. Mental actions like streams of lightnino' 
were pouring through young George's mind as he watched the footrace. Of one 
thing he was certain that the savage would return and tomahawk him were he to 
remain where he fell. So preferring, under the circumstances to be a live coward 
than a dead hero, he arose and took to his heels. On his way he came on one of 
his brothers who was lame and gave him every aid in his power to facilitate his 
flight until he saw another savage coming closely upon him. One thing was 
certain, that odds of death were against them both if they remained together. 
Separated he might escape and beHeving it no disgrace to run when you are 
scared he left his brother to his own fate and hied away to the dense woods. 
Going on deeper and deeper into the places of security he met up with his father, 
who. thinking him dead, exclaimed. "Why, George, I thought you were dead." 



206 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDLAN TROUBLES. 

While the father and son were expressing to each other their joy of escaping, the 
Indians were committing tortures, inexpressible upon the innocent and helpless 
ones at home. The hobbling Bozarth was lolled, soon after George left him, 
and three small children were dragged from their home and tomahawked in the 
yard. Mrs. Bozarth and two boys were taken prisoners and carried off to the 
Indian towns, from whence they were turned over as captives to Gen. Wayne. 

These are some of the outrages suffered by the inhabitants of this section 
of the country during the past twenty years. A respite eternal and everlasting 
from the horrors of savage warfare and the woes which spring from the un- 
curbed indulgence our barbarous vindictive and revengeful passion was now 
given. 

John Bozarth in his effort to escape his inveterate foe, the pursuing Indian, 
made every tree trunk a breastwork, every bush a defense and every stone and 
boulder a place of refuge. Dodging around these several helps he discomfitted 
and mixed up his pursuer so much that in a short distance from where the race 
began, (near where Jacob Allman's house now stands) his advance was sufficient 
to warrant the risk of going in haste to Bush's Run at a point whose width was 
about twenty feet and whose banks were high, soft and murky. He had calcu- 
lated that the Indian seeing his destination would slacken his step thinking the 
usual would happen between the high banks of that small stream. Bozarth's 
judgment was well taken and instead of doing what the Indian had expected 
as he neared the banks, he ran like wild, and jumping like a deer, was instantly 
on solid ground on the other bank. His pursuer seeing the unparalleled jump 
made tremendous effort to gather himself and do likewise, but instead of landing 
where the paleface did his leap brought him into the soft, treacherous mud by the 
waters edge, which held him in its sandy grasp long enough to allow Bozarth to 
get out of danger's way. It was upon his reaching the bank and making a sudden 
and powerful dash to catch up with his rival he gave up the chase and hurled 
his deadly tomahawk at Bozarth with terrific force. 

The older men now living in the community of Lorentz know well the Locus 
of this saving pond and many of them used it for years and years as a swimming 
hole because it was deeper and wider than any other in the creek at that place. 

NEW ENGLANDERS AND THEIR SETTLEMENTS. 

While the roots for a permanent settlement had become firmly attached to 
the soil by the sturdy, rough and untutored backwoodsmen who braved the 
hardships and discouragements of the past twenty years, and while their numbers 
were few, yet their fortitude and persistence was such as would establish homes in 
any wilderness, in any forest and in any woodland ; to another and greater influx 
of immigrants was committed the important task of working a higher civilization 
through church and school. 

Prior to the nineteenth century not a few persons in New England had taken 
out letters patent for large acreages of land in that part of Virginia, west of 
the Allegheny Mountains, and were earnest and anxious to send out settlers to 
their land grants. Some of these land grabbers had claims in these parts and 
prominent among them was Dr. Daniel Stcbbins, of Northampton, Mass., who 
called frequent meetings of his townsmen and portrayed to them in glowing 
description the advantages and opportunities of this new country. 




UNCLE ISAAC MORGAN and Faithful Horse, "Old Bill," who was once 
Stolen and Found After an Absence of 4 years and 7 months. 





^- -^ ^ 




te ■ • 


j^hUSMl 


iMbi^S 


;B^^^^ 


iM^^^^^^Hi^B^H 


^^^»*^3 


■Hi ''^' 


iHHHHk 


L/ *-, 



MR. AND MRS. HOMER H. WESTFALL. 




- 






( 


1 


p- 






1 ;. 


w^ 


, , ^ ^ 


3\^m 


•» 


7^ .m 


"' — 


'^^Sf'^SS^M^^'' 'J6^H^9bSH 






T* — 
.3S 


^p|; 





EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL-W TROUBLES. 207 

Mr. Patrick Peebles, of Pellham, Mass., acquired some interest in land here 
and made the first visit to this country. He went back, made a report to his 
neighbor, Zedckiah Morgan whose family returned with him and made settle- 
ment in 1801. Patrick Peebles built the first saw-mill on Saw Mill run near its 
mouth, which was swept away by high waters. This misfortime discouraged him 
so much that he returned to Massachusetts and did not return to his Virginia 
lands until 1819, when he came back bringing his entire family. 

Zedekiah Morgan located on the Buckhannon River at the place now called 
Sago, and on the lands now owned by George W. Burner, who married his 
granddaughter, Frances Roxane, daughter of Alfred Morgan, born 1804. 

This Morgan family came direct from Connecticut here and has many living 
decendants in Upshur to-day. 

In 1808 Aaron Gould, Sr., came from Charlemont, Mass., and selected as his 
future home the farm no owned by Randolph See. His family consisted of a wife 
and eleven children, three of his sons being unmarried. ]\lost of this large family's 
posterity went west years and years ago, locating principally in the State of 
Illinois. 

The glowing letters of the members of Aaron Gould's family to their Charle- 
mont neighbors induced Robert Young and Gilbert Gould in the year 181 1 to 
move here with their families. They went deeper into the wilderness than any 
others had heretofore gone, settling on the lands once owned by Rev. James 
Young, near Hollygrove. The nearest improvement to their place of settle- 
ment was Haymond's Salt Works, or Bulltown. 

Jonathan x'\ldan came from the same town in Massachusetts in 1816. 
The next Massachusetts town to make large contributions to the population 
of the unbroken forests was Florida. From this place in 1814 came John Loomis, 
a single man, Elijah Phillips and his family; the next year his brother, David 
Phillips, with his large family also came, and the two went deeper into the forest 
southward. Elijah Phillips made improvments on the land once owned by his 
son Edward. And David Phillips on that now owned by R. A. Darnall. Abieser 
and Anzel Phillips, sons of Elijah and married, brought their families the same 
time. Three-fourths of the people residing in and around French Creek have 
sprung or can trace a relationship back to either Robert Young, Gilbert Gould, 
Elijah Phillips or David Phillips. 

Montgomery, Mass., was another New England town to give up its resi- 
dence to swell the population in the new country. This town gave us Daniel 
Barrett, Martin Root and Joshua Bosworth, all of whom settled on lands below 
the present town of Buckhannon, mainly on the waters of Turkey Run. 

In 1816, Nathan Gould, Jr., and family came from Charlemont, Mass.; John 
Burr, Noah Sexton and Ebenezer Leonard and their families, from Worthington ; 
Mr. Daniel Haynes came from Monson ; Gould and Alden families settled on 
Bull Run and two weeks after their advent to their new home, Nathan Gould, Sr., 
eighty-three years of age, made his demise, having traveled that long, weary, 
journey over hill and valley to find a grave in the wilderness. 

Burr, Sexton and Leonard families settled first on the middle fork of Buck- 
hannon River, not far from Queens, West Virginia. 

Later they removed to the waters of French Creek, where they and some of 
their decendants have nearly all lived since. 

In the late fall of 1816, young Asa Brooks was sent out by the Central 
Missionary Association of Hampshire county, Mass., to preach for the settlers 



208 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDLAN TROUBLES. 

who had lately come from New England, and to establish a church in the new- 
settlement, which would promulgate and perpetuate th faith of John Calvin. 
His advent into the forest wild was hailed with delight, and was an omen of 
increment and strength to the settlement. His brothers, Ezra Brooks, Amos 
Brooks and John Brooks, of Halifax, Mass., came out the next year. 

Then came Roswell and Warren Knowlton, who settled near the Frenchton 
postoffice as, also, did James Bartlett and Mr. Ferry. These four people prior 
to the date of their emigration were citizens of the town of Belcher, Mass. About 
the same time came Elias Perry, Sr., Sylvanus Rice, Joseph Howes and the 
Shurtliffs, who planted their settlement in what is now known as the Wm. 
Smallridge community ; Alpheus Rude, Jacob Hunt, Ezra Morgan, Asa Boynton, 
Job and Murray Thayer, who settled on the John Hull farm, that land being a part 
of a tract of 1650 acres staked and patented by a Mr. Whttmore. Others came 
from time to time afterwards from New England and elsewhere, among whom 
were Wm. Smallridge, William Henderson, James Lemon, from Pendleton in 
1830; Ebenezer Phillips and Moses Ward, from Charlemont, Alass., and lived 
where Andy Buchanan now lives". 

To this yoemanry of Puritan belief and practice on the waters of French 
Creek may be added the settlers from other parts of Virginia who found homes, 
lived among, intermarried and became competent parts of this New England set- 
tlement ; Valentine Powers, on farm of Foster Wilson ; Samuel Talbot, who came 
from Harrison county, on farm of David Talbott; Abraham, James and Daniel 
Wells and Joseph McKinney and located on J. S. Douglass fann, and William 
Clark with his sons who emigrated from Albermarle county, \'a., settled in the 
vicinity of Beechtown ; afterwards he moved to Cutright's Run. John Vincent 
and \'an Devanters, Abner Rice and the Conkeys came a little later on from New 
England and made their home in the same vicinity with those who had preceded 
them. Isaac Parker built his rude cabin on the H. Armstrong place. 

Owing to the defects of the land system of Virginia, great uncertainty and 
much injustice resulted to the early settlers in this county. Long before the 
Revolution, shrewd and far-sighted speculators who saw the wild lands must 
grow in value, had organized land companies and real estate monopolies for the 
purpose of acquiring large stretches of western land. These companies employed 
surveyors, scouts or backwoodsmen to stake offand locate claims pursuant to 
ihe real property laws of Eng'Jand as executed by the Colonial officers of \'irginia. 
These agents, ignorant of prior locations, paid little attention to the rights of 
others, seeking only the benefit of their employes by choosing the most fertile and 
best laying wild lands. This course of action must needs in time produce endless 
controversies, and in 1789, after all real danger of the Indians driving the whites 
from the land had passed, the Virginia assembly enacted some remedial legisla- 
tion looking to and providing for more protection to individuals who had acquired 
by possession, by grant, patent or other title, rights to certain tracts of land. At 
the same session all titles to ground regularly surveyed and claimed under char- 
ter, military bounty and old treasury rights, to the extent of 400 acres each, was 
ratified. Each family of actual settlers was given the opportunity by the same 
law to a "settlement right," costing about $9 and securing a title for 400 acres, 
and if the settlers were too poor to pay the required $9, provision was made 
whereby he could get it on time. This law of land protection to the actual settler 
allowed him a preemptive right by which on the payment of 40 cents per acre 
he could increase his holding an additional 1,000 acres. Thus it is plain to 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 209 

be seen that many land warrants applied to no particular spot; and there were 
often two or three titles to each patch and the surveys crossed each other in hope- 
less tangles. 

Under such loose and haphazard laws as these much of the territory acquired 
and settled upon by this New England yoemanry was later involved in endless 
controversy and law suits; and the judgments and decrees of the courts were gen- 
erally adverse. Many of these quiet, peaceable New Englanders soon tired of 
the dilatory action of the courts and its adverse decision to their titles, resolved 
to quit the ceaseless and grinding frontier life in the woods and go to a country 
richer in soil and freer from the entanglements of conflicting titles. Therefore, 
the trouble over the titles to the lands, locally, caused an emigration westward 
about the year 1830. Dr. Loyal Young, D. D., thinks that fully one-half of the 
New Englanders who came into this county went west about this time, most of 
them going to Illinois and founding a New England settlement near the town 
of Assumption, where many of their descendants still live. Some went to Penn- 
sylvania and some went back to New England. This loss was very heavy and 
hindered the progress and growth of this new settlement very materially, but it 
was a great gain to the State in which they located. 

Great discouragement possessed those who remained. They had either to 
purchase their land again or be ejected by the strong arm of the law, and be com- 
pelled to go forth to buy elsewhere. Consequetly, feeble efforts were put forth 
by these despairing ones to make improvements, not knowing how soon some other 
soulless land company might come forth and make claim of priority of survey 
and grant to that which was held by the company lately selling. Indeed, these 
things really did occur and some had to purchase their farms for the third time, 
which was sufficient to drive into despair the most hopeful and buoyant among 
their numbers. 

W. D. Talbot informs us that his grandfather, Samuel T. Talbot, living in 
the vicinity of Beechtown, had first j)urchased his title from a "squatter" and later 
was compelled to buy it a second time from the McCall heirs, assigns or agents, 
the McCall survey embracing all the land occupied and settled upon by Talbot, 
Wells, JNlcKinney and others. 

PATHS TRAVELED BY EARLY IMMIGRANTS 

People of this day often wonder by what roads the early settler reached the 
goal of his ambition on the upper waters of the Monongahela. The woods were 
everywhere, their density only excelled by their loftiness. To the weak and cow- 
ardly they presented an uncomparable, impassable difficulty which could be 
removed by myriads of expert axemen applying their strength and dexterity to 
the swamping of passage-ways. This was a task hardly to be thought of on 
account of its immensity and duration. Those who had for years been innured 
to frontier life and by force of circumstances had become apt students in appro- 
priating everything found available and useful in the forest, adopted the more 
practical and less laborious, but more dangerous expedient of traveling to their 
new settlements over game paths and Indian trails. These game paths were 
the beaten tracks usually of large herds of Buffalo which led from one large 
pasturage to another. Some of them were more than a rod in width, and all 
of them were on grades sufficiently good for horses to travel. And if these led 
in a direction contrary to that which the settlers wanted to go, the other expedient 



210 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 

was adopted and the backwoodsman with his horses, cattle and family sojourned 
toward his destination by an Indian war path of which there were many. These 
Indian trails antedate in their establishment authentic history. Evidently their 
origin, judging from their unused and neglected condition goes back to the time 
when the northern tribes of the United States were making raids and actual 
warfare on the southern Indians or vice versa. 

With dread and apprehension and constant watchfulness, these first settlers 
traveled these trails which eliminated the absolute necessity and great labor of 
swamping out new and less desirable roads. 

West Virginia seems to have been at one time, nearer the great battle ground 
of contending Indian tribes, and was on that account cut up in every direction by 
Indian war paths of which the brave, the courageous and the fearless men and 
women, who sought homes in the western wilderness, made use of in their emi- 
gration from the tidal lowlands of Virginia and Maryland. 

Through the Courtesy of Hugh Maxwell who has studied these Indian 
trails for many years and has prepared a map showing the streams they follow, 
the mountains they cross and the general direction they take we give the following 
from his history of Barbour county. 

"Having thus spoken of the highways and the proposed highways between 
the Potomac and the Upper \'alley of the Ohio, it remains to be shown that those 
were not the only paths across the mountains. The paths yet to be mentioned 
were more local, but, within a narrower sphere, were of no less importance. So 
far as Randolph, Tucker. Barbour and Uphur Counties were concerned, the 
paths amounted to more than the great highways through Pennsylvania, for the 
early settlers came over the trails of which there were three important ones and 
a fourth (McCullough's) of lesser importance. The McCuIlough trail passed 
from Moorefield to Patterson Creek, up that stream to Greenland Gap in Grant 
County; crossed a spur of the Alleghanies to the North Branch, following the 
general course of the Northwestern Pike to the head of the Little Youghiogheny, 
in Garret County, Maryland ; thence to the Youghiogheny, west of Oakland, and 
on to Cheat River, near the Pennsylvania line. But a branch of it led down 
Horse Shoe Run to the mouth of Lead Mine Run, where it intersected another 
path to be spoken of later. Another trail led up the North Branch of the Potomac 
striking the face of Backbone ^Mountain near where Bayard now stands ; thence 
reaching the summit near Fairfax Stone. Passing to the western slope, it de- 
scended to the mouth of Lead Mine, ten miles east of St. George. It reached 
Cheat River at the mouth of Horse Shoe Run, three miles above St. George. 
Thence one branch led down Cheat, across Laurel Hill to the \'alley River below 
Philippi, and thence westward to the Ohio. The other branch followed up Cheat, 
reaching the head of Leading Creek, in Randolph County, and after joining the 
Seneca Trail, near the present village of Elkins, passed up the river to its source, 
where dividing, one part led down Elk River, one down the Little Kanawha and 
a third crossed to the Greenbrier. The majority of the settlers on Cheat, above 
and below St. George, came to the country over the North Branch Trail, as did 
many of those on Leading Creek, and the early settlers on the Buckhannon. 
There is no record of the marking of the trail near Fairfax Stone. It was there 
at the earliest visit of white men. and was no doubt an Indian trail antedating 
historv. The first white jnan to follow the trail was probably William Mayo in 
1736." He ascended the North Branch that year and discovered the tributaries of 
Cheat. History does not say how far westward and northward he followed the 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 211 

stream; probably not far. In 1745 other explorers, following the same route, 
reached the present territory of Tucker County, and a map made of the region 
soon after is fairly accurate. 

Twenty miles south of Fairfax Stone, another path crossed the Alleghanies, 
the most important in West Virginia north of Greenbrier. It was called the 
Seneca Trail, or the Shawnee Trail. The latter name was given it because it 
was traveled by Shawnee Indians, notably by Killbuck's bands in raiding the 
South Branch settlements. It was called the Seneca Trail, because, after crossing 
the Alleghany Mountains at the head of Horse Camp Creek, it passed down 
Seneca Creek, in Pendleton County, to the North Fork. The Shawnee Trail, or 
a continuation of it, was an old Indian war path, perhaps used centuries ago. It 
came from Pennsylvania, passed through Maryland, crossed the Potomac at the 
mouth of South Branch, ascended that stream to Moorefield where the McCul- 
lough Trail struck off ; thence it ascended the river to the mouth of the North 
Fork ; up that stream to the mouth of Seneca ; thence across the mountains and 
the tributaries of Cheat to Tygarts Valley at Elkins, from there it became one 
with the trail, coming by way of Fairfax Stone. The Shawnee Trail was the 
chief highway between Tygart's Valley and South Branch for a century. In 
the early times, hundreds of pack horses, loaded with salt, iron and merchandise, 
passed over it every year, and many a drove of cattle went by that route to the 
eastern markets. During the Civil War it was frequently used by soldiers. Many 
of the horses and cattle captured by the Confederate Generals, Jones and Imboden, 
were sent across the mountains by that trail. General Averell, who had command 
of the Federal forces in this part of West Virginia, found it necessary to post 
strong pickets on the path. A wagon road has since been made following the same 
general course, and the old trail is no longer used, but sections of it remain, 
deeply worn through the wilderness of pine and laurel. A century will not 
suffice to destroy the old highway over which Indians passed before a white man 
had seen the valleys of the West. Killbuck's Indians retreated by that trail after 
the Fort Seybert massacre in 1758. 

Thirty miles south of the Shawnee Trail was another path leading from the 
South Branch of the Potomac into Pocahontas County, and thence into Tygart's 
Valley. It was a branch of the Shawnee Trail, and instead of crossing the 
mountains at Seneca, it continued up the North Fork to Dry Run in Pendleton 
County ; passed up Laurel Creek into Highland County, Virginia, and crossed 
the mountain on the general route of the Staunton and Parkersburg Pike, coming 
into Tygart's Valley probably at the mouth of Riffle's Run or Becca's Creek, 
where it joined the trail up the valley already described. Many of the settlers 
in the upper end of Randolph came over this trail. Thus the routes by which 
emmigration entered the upper valleys of the Monongahela were three ; that down 
Horse Shoe Run, in Tucker County; that by way of Seneca Creek, and that 
through northern Pocahontas County. The majority of the settlers on Cheat, 
Tygart's, Buckhannon and the upper West Fork, traveled these trails. A few 
worked their way up the river from the vicinity of Brownsville, Pennsylvania." 

The Indians must, at one time, have inhabited Upshur county. The Indian skull 
unearthed in the year 1892 under the Indian Camp rock, by L. V. McWhorter, 
Ernest Phillips and others, and sent to Washington, D. C, would prove it tenta- 
tively. But the finding of spear-heads, stone hatchets, flints and earthen pots 
covered with three feet of wood ashes under this same projecting rock and at Ash 



212 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL-KX TROUBLES. 

Camp rock near by, reinforces the first proof so abundantly that it would be 
folly to controvert the habitancy of Upshur by the Indians. 

What tribe or tribes lived and hunted here is unknown. How long they lived 
here or how often they came to hunt, is uncertain. All we know is that tons 
and tons of ashes have been hauled away from under these two rocks and spread 
upon near-by farms, and the supply is not yet exhausted. 

THE BEGINNING OF ROADS 

There are no records which indicate the means of connection between the 
various settlements on the Buckhannon River, Tygart's Valley, Hacker's Creek, 
and West Fork, other than what has come to us by tradition. Maxwell in his 
History of Randolph County mentions Pringle's Trail, which led down the 
Tygart's Valley and up the Buckhannon River. This is the only evidence we have 
that there was a path or road over which the pioneers traveled to reach Buck- 
hannon settlement. This road or path followed the water course, and while it was 
too narrow for wagons it served for many years the purpose of the settler in 
going from and coming to his home. The first roads established in this county 
did not regard grade, but led directly over mountains and valleys from settlement 
to settlement. The early settler ignored that old adage, "that a pot bail is as long 
lying as standing." In fact why should they regard it because all of their travel 
was on horseback or by foot and both horse and man being strong, sinewy and 
supple they adopted the shortest route because it was the quickest. A few roads 
were surveyed and brushed out which will interest our readers and among them 
are the following: 

In 1787 "A road from John Cutright's along the northwest side of Buck- 
hannon River, by John Jackson's to Pringle Ford, at the same time an order was 
passed establishing 'a road' from the head of Elk up the Buckhannon River to 
John Cutright's." 

In 1798 the Court established "a road" from Beverly to Wolfs and the foot 
of Rich Mountain toward Buckhannon. These are the beginning of the great 
and complex system of highways which are the avenues of travel to all parts of 
Upshur County. 

In 1814 the County Court of Randolph County passed an order to brush out 
and make passable on horseback and pack horses the road from Beverly to Buck- 
hannon. This was afterwards widened and graded and made into the Parkersburg 
and Staunton Turnpike. 

COUNTY ROADS 

The first session of the County Court of Upshur County met on Thursday 
the 24th day of July, 1851. Present: George Clark, George Bastable, David 
Bennett, John W. Marple, Amos Brooks, Adam Spittler, Simon Rhorbough, 
William W. Foster, Anthony B. See, Willis H. Woodley, A. M. Bastable, Alva 
Teter and Jacob Lorentz. Gentlemen justices of the peace composing the County 
Court (at the time of the formation of the County, up to 1864 the County Court 
was made up of the several justices of the peace, in the various townships of the 
County.) 

The first order passed by the Court was that Jacob A. Hyre, Josiah Abbott, 
and Thomas Hamner, mark out a way for a road from Atwell Dowell's house to 



EARLY SETTLERS AND LNDL\N TROUBLES. 213 

the road on the Glady Fork of Stone Coal to where said road crosses that water 
leading to Bull Run and by way of David S. Pinnell's Mill on Glady Fork. 

Thomas Rothwell was appointed in the place of Lair Dean to review a road 
from Hinkle's mill by way of John B. Shreaves to . 

On petition of Robert McCray, David Bennett, W. M. Raymond and Henry 
Boggs were ordered to mark out a road from the mouth of Buffalo of the Little 
Kanawha River by way of Honey Camp Run to W. M. Raymond's. 

On motion of James Lemmons, Elmer Hyre, is appointed surveyor of the 
road leading from John W. Abel's, by way of Peter Hyer to Captain Gilbert 
Gould's on Bull Run and that "William S. Brady, Stuart Hyre, Turner Hyre, 
and John S. Lemmons be his hands to work and prepare said road." 

It was ordered that Nicholas Dean, Valentine Dickinson, William Griffith be 
surveying committee to mark out a road from Ryland R. Alexander by Isaac 
Warner and intersect the "Yankee Road" going from the Buckhannon River at 
Andrew Lewis's on to Stevenville. 

John Weatherholt, Abram Wolf, and Frederick Willfong, were appointed to 
survey a road from John Weatherholt's on Ten Mile to A. C. Queen's Mill on 
Middlefork. 

On petition of John Jackson and others, S. C. Tenney, William Goodwin, 
John M. Haney, Watson Westfall and John G. Jackson, or any three of them 
are appointed a committee to review a road from the mouth of John G. Jackson's 
lane to Armsey's Run and one from John G. Jackson's lane to the Middlefork 
River. 

A road was also ordered reviewed from John Jackson's to the Staunton and 
Parkersburg Turnpike "on motion of James Cutright order that Jacob Cutright, 
Lot Cutright and Elmor Cutright be appointed reviewers, to review and mark a 
road from the Ford at Elmor Cutright's along Buckhannon river between 
Nathaniel and Elmor Cutright through said Nathaniel Cutright's place and John 
Wilfong's land along E. D. Rollin's line to intersect the Big Road near Hiram 
Rollin's. 

FRIDAY, JULY 2$, 185I. 

James Reed is appointed surveyor of the road from Daniel Knight's to the 
Lewis County line and Richard Altop, John Heavner, and Burket Jett be assigned 
to him as hands. That William Freymyer is appointed surveyor and that part of 
the County taken from Barbour and the same hands be attached to his precinct 
that he had when surveyor before the formation of the County. 

On petition of R. L. Brown, Lot Cutright. Jacob Cutright and Edmond 
Rollins were appointed commissioners to mark out a road from Theodore Cut- 
right's to the Philadelphia Church. 

John Swick precinct was laid out as the highway from the line between 
William Herschman and William Busley to upper Hacker's Creek, from John 
Marples to the top of the mountain going to Rooting Creek and half way up the 
hill toward Turkey Run. 

In the town of Buckhannon over the road leading from the turnpike at D. 
S. Pinnell's house to John Davis's farm Charles D. Trimble' was appointed sur- 
veyor in repair : John Davis, George W. Berlin, David S. Pinnell and hands ; D. T. 
Farnsworth, James L. Will, C. W. McNulty, Selden Harrison, John O. Core, 



214 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL\K TROUBLES. 

William Jennings, George C. Ackle, Levi Ackle, James Willson, Jackson Shultz 
and hands ; Geo. W. Miller, Isaac Teeter, John Hurst and hands ; K. Hopkins, 
John Maxwell and hands : M. J. Fog, C. W. Russell, L. L. D. Loudin, A. Spittler, 
C. G. Miller and hands ; L D. Rapp, John L. Smith and hands, Miflin Lorentz, 
John White and hands ; H. C. Middleton, Samuel Spittler, George Ambrose, 
Joseph B. Ambrose, George F. Cooper and hands, A. N. Bastable and hands, 
C. C. Williams and hands ; John Thurman ; Nathaniel Farnsworth, W. D. 
Farnsworth, Calvin Farnsworth, Thomas Farnsworth, Leonard Farnsworth, 
Moses Marple, and his son, Silas Martin and hands ; T. A. Janey and hands ; W. 
E. Balsley, Geo. Balslev, Geo. Nicholas, Geo. Bastable, James Muliins, A. Pound- 
stone, John W. Blagg, Daniel Rollins, Jacob M. Hyre, J. O. Fretwell, W. H. 
Williams, Henry McFadden, James Farnsworth, John Baker and hands: B. 
Hawks, S. F. Paren, E. Wertenbaker Geo. W. Honchens, E. Johnson, Robert 
Jiurst, Robert Coyner, Joseph Coyner, Jerome Reger, W. B. Brown, Edwin 
Maxwell, Asa Carper, and all other citizens of Buckhannon and Charles Trem- 
ble's hands. 

The Court ordered the establishment of a road from John Davis's farm to 
Jacob Crites's blacksmith shop, and hands to work it. Peter Barb was appointed 
surveyor of the road, from John Light's lane on Grassy Run to the turnpike 
at the farm of James Griffin. 

John Strader was appointed surveyor of the road from Stony Run to Cut- 
right's Run and from Jasper N. Lorentz's to Jacob Crites's blacksmith shop. 
Aquilla Osborne was made surveyor of the highway from Queen's Mill down 
the River to tlie turnpike. 

SEPTEMBER i8, 185 1. 

The Court ordered Pascal P. Young, Peter Hyre and Jonathan Heffner 
reviewers to mark out a way from Elias Simmons's passing down by Slab Camp, 
at or near Abram Hosaflook's. W .M. Haymond, William McNulty arid Geo. 
Rexroad were ordered to view out a road from near Jacob Strader's by way of 
Andrew Bogg's and Jonathan Reese's to intersect the Hyre road ; on motion of 
James Lenlmons, William Reed, James Pritt and W. ]\L Haymond were appoint- 
ed to view out roads from William Props' farm to the Randolph line crossing the 
right hand fork of the Buckhannon river. A road was ordered reviewed up Little 
Sand Run to Joseph Howser's mill and along the ridge by M. L. Humphreys to 
Fleming's house, and on to the Big Sand Run road. A review of a new road 
was ordered from Lair Dean's to Valentine Hinkle's mill, and one from Amos 
Sample's to the head of Straight Run. One down Sand Run up Laurel Fork and 
across the Hill to E. C. Bridge's farm ; also one from Turkey Run below Isaac 
Brakes' by way of Timothy Mick's to xA.nthony Strader's mill on Hacker's creek. 

OCTOBER 23, 1 85 I. 

On motion of Lindsay Sandridge, Isaac Warner, John Kesling and Moses 
Roberts were appointed reviewers to establish a road from the Proudfoot road 
passing said Sandridge's house to intersect the Decker road near Adam Rada- 
baugh's. The court on the same day authorized the establishment of a road from 
the house of John J. Burr to the bridge across French creek and from the top of 
the Meeting House hill to James P. Sexton's. 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 215 

DECEMBER l8, 185I. 

On the petition of Phillip Smith reviewers were appointed to mark out a 
road from Benjamin Rohrljough's house to C. W. Hemdon's house. At the same 
session the road was ordered from the Strange Ford through Ehiior Cutright's 
meadow up Strange Run and to Chipp's mill, and one from Nathan Ligget's 
store on Finks Run bridge to Sandy Leonard's, and one from the head of Cub 
Run on the road leading from William Rude's to William Hyres' and ending 
near Peter Johnson's, and one from Enoch Gibson's house to Howser's mill, and 
•on to the forks of the road at Isaac Strader's, and one from the church at the top 
of the hill between Grassy Run and Truby's Run to John Tenney's mill by way of 
Abram Our's. 

THE RELIGIOUS LIFE. 

The religious life of the backwoodsman was unavoidably neglected. The 
strenuous and oftimes desperate contest with the external phenomena gave him 
little time or opportunity for self inspection. The outside world was his battle- 
field. 

Life depended upon the issue of his fight with dense forests, wild beasts and 
vindictive savages. All his mental and physical faculties were brought into con- 
stant training by the vicarious contingencies ever before him. There was no break 
in the continuity and therefore no change in the activity of his life struggle. By 
day and by night he labored to keep the prowling wolves of want and treacherous 
devils of destruction from his cabin door. There was no oasis of rest, abiding 
peace and moral self inspection. His call to duty led. yea, forced him to cultivate 
the baser passions of human nature. Annihilation was the goal of his 
ambition ; by it frontier life would be transformed into the unattainable 
dreamland of perfect contentment and earthly bliss. The seductive evil passions 
of harm, such as way-laying, torturing and evil pursuits were the dangerous 
weapons of this total extermination. 

His martyrdom was one of physical defense and self preservation. Like 
Moses coming from Egypt these two lessons were to him "pillar of cloud by day 
and pillar of fire by night." No sound escaped his keen ear, no object lost his 
peering eye, and few experiences avoided his sense of fast. "The forest was his 
home. There he loved to roam," not for what it now gave, but what it promised. 

Then can it be any wonder that little time is given in frontier settlements to 
contrasting vice and virtue, good and evil, sin and holiness? Religious freedom 
they had, governmental protection they wished for. Possessing the former, they 
sought to live to enjoy the latter. Understand that these backwoodsmen were not 
lacking in ethics. Far be it from us to so indict them. Their laws of dealings 
with one another were unwritten, few and rarely violated. With all mankind 
right was right with them shorn of all the contrivances to evade and defer its im- 
mediate good. The magistrate ferreting out the shades and degrees of crime had 
no work in the bosom of such a society. 

His expositions were as "sounding brass and tinkling cymbals." The laws 
of. nature are higher than the laws of man; and they were the unchangable decis- 
ions along which the pioneer's path led. At first much silent comtemplation 
abounded over the loss of the church's refining influence as it was being estab- 
lished and promulgated by John Wesley and George Whitefield. Their trumpet 



216 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 



like appeals had already reached and effected them ere they took their departure 
from the South Branch. But now they did neglect the seeds of evangelical faith 
and purer life sown by apostles of these two reformers, and contented themselves 
in an exhausting controversy with the most numerous unforseen difficulties ever 
confronting the physical man. 

As passing time separated them more and more from the benign influences 
of church organization, our readers can well understand that our forefathers had 
conformed their lives to the broader theology of the Ten Commandments as 
against the dissenting, quarrelsome and destructive denominational doctrines which 
are more often the "Synogogues of Satin than the Temples of God." 

In this respect the settlement for the first twenty-five years of its existence 
went through its golden age. 

The need of religious teaching from the view-point that personal activity 




OLD CARPER CHURCH 



leads to growth, consecration and rectitude in all things, was very apparent. 
There was a beginning of the preached word in 1781, according to an article writ- 
ten years ago by Rev. John W. Reger, by Rev. Bozeman at the home of John 
Reger near Volga. Mr. Reger is mistaken in part about this. He says the mem- 
bers were John Reger and wife, Abram Casper and wife. The latter family did 
not come here until the spring of 1800. In 1800 Shadrack Tappan, a Methodist 
minister of the Baltimore conference, ventured into the settlement and proclaimed 
the mission of the Master. His sermon was delivered in the home of Abram 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL-^N TROUBLES. 217 

Carper, whose anxiety for the church was second only to his love and knowledge 
of the Word upon which the church was superstructed. This service caused a rip- 
ple of excitement and speculation which waned with procrastination. No class 
was formed. No church house was built. The devout satisfied their religious 
cravings in the sacred halls of home for ten more long years or until 1810. This 
year witnessed the formation of the first society at the house of John Reger. Steps 
were then and there taken to provide a home for the society. This particular 
society can have no more significance in the annals of church chronology than it 
was the parent church after and to which the multitude of succeeding Methodist 
churches should follow and look. As if by accident, mayhaps by Providence, the 
number of members of this first Methodist class corresponded with the number 
of the commandments and agreed with the casting of the characters in which all 
computations must be expressed. The names of this holy band were Abram Car- 
per and wife, Anthony Rohrbough, John Strader, Henry Reger, George Bush, 
Joseph Hall and wife, Catherine Hall. John Reger and Nancy Bennett. From the 
good works of this first Methodist class of ten went out great constructive influ- 
ences. Here and there whenever a few could assemble regularly other classes 
were organized and churches were built. Nothing impeded this building up pro- 
cess, and today the Methodist Episcopal church has thirty-five hundred communi- 
cants, forty working classes and as many edifices in the limits of tlie county. 
With so many forts at which spiritual ammunition may be had and with such an 
army properly using these exhaustless supplies, this division of God's church 
ought to see, meet and conquer "with the sword of the spirit," not only its own 
land, but others as well. But the Methodist alone has not grown and worked here 
for the religious man. Other demoninations have found this a good field of labor. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

Third denomination in point of time to establish and conduct religious exer- 
cises was the Presbyterian. Rev. Thomas Hunt, once pastor of the Second Pres- 
byterian church of Pittsburg, delivered the first sermon on Calvinistic theology. 
The second minister of the gospel to visit the settlement on French creek was 
Rev. Moses Allen, for many years pastor of the church at Raccoon, Pa. These 
two divines delivered an address each in the home of Aaron Gould, where for 
years a few families met every Sabbath for worship, especially reading sermons. 
The first reader of these sermons was Robert Young, esq. 

Jonathan Alden, Pascal P. Young, Augustus W. .Sexton, William Phillips, 
succeeded him in this commendable practice. The first resident minister of the 
Presbyterian church was Rev. Asa Brooks, who was sent out as a missionary by 
the Hampshire County Missionary Society of Massachusetts in the fall of 1816. 

This society promised to make good his salary of $400.00, or as much of it 
as the settlers failed to pay. He established missions at French Creek, Buck- 
hannon and Beverly, where he expounded the Word on every third Sunday. 

During the week he oftimes would have appointments at points between 
these places. The mid-week visit at Philippi was successful and did much good. 
Rev. Brooks labored hard for one year before he went back East. On this first 
visit home he married Miss Polly Sumner, a woman of strong mind and great 
excellence, and returned to Virginia in 1818. The next year he became a member 
of the Presbytery of Redstone and was immediately asked Jo accept a call from 
French Creek and Buckhannon congregations. Without hesitancy or delay he 
assumed the work. The Presbyterian church at French Creek was really org^n- 



218 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL\N TROUBLES. 

izcd on September lo, 1819. The first minutes of the Sessional Records contain 
these important words: "French Creek, Lewis county, Virginia. There being in 
this settlement a number, both male and female, having letters of recommendation 
from different congregational churches in Massachusetts, with which they were 
united previous to their emigrating to this place, and wishing again to be favored 
with church privileges, a time was appointed for the election of Ruling Elders." 
Time set for the election of Ruling Elders was July 5, 1819. Aaron Gould and 
Robert Young were chosen without opposition to be the responsible dignitaries. 
The organization of the church was not completed until September 10 of this 
year, when several of the grace-full worshipers met at the house of Samuel Gould, 
close to the present residence of Alva Brooks, and finished the noble preliminary 
work by receiving on certificate Nathan Gould and wife, Esther, Mrs. Lydia 
Gould, wife of Aaron, Mrs. Lydia Young, wife of Robert Young, Zedekiah Mor- 
gan's wife, Rebecca, Samuel Gould, Aaron Gould, jr., and Mrs. Polly Brooks, 
wife of Rev. Asa Brooks ; and on examination David Phillips and Anna Phillips, 
his wife. Captain Gilbert Gould's wife, Mehitabel Gould, and Mrs. Lucy Alden, 
wife of Jonathan Alden. The next year the membership increased more than 
100 per cent and Captain Gilbert Gould, Jonathan Alden, Daniel Gould and wife, 
Margaret, Pascal P. Young and wife, Cynthia, the wives of James and Samuel 
and Aaron, jr., Gould, Rhoda and Esther, and niece, Mrs. Mary Knowlton, wife 
of Warren, Chloe Conkey, Anna Young, Misses Sallie, Nancy, Martha and Eliza- 
beth Gould and Sarah Peebles and Roswell Knowlton and Prudence, his wife, 
joined the church. 

A Presbyterian class was organized on the river some miles below the present 
county seat of Upshur county, at the home of Martin Root, in 1819. Dr. Loyal 
Young spells the new missionary station "Buchanon," and says it was thus spelled 
at that time, before the town of Buckhannon was in existence. Martin Root and 
Dr. Elisha D. Barrett were chosen as Ruling Elders. The class afterwards made 
the town its center of activity, building a church on a lot near the present residence 
of Captain A. M. Poundstone. 

Revs. A. J. Fairchilds, Ezekiel Quillin, Edward Brooks, Ebenezer Churchill, 
Orr Lawson, C. P. French, administered the Lord's Supper and expounded the 
Word at French Creek and Buckhannon until after the civil war. 

The first house of Presbyterian worship at French Creek was near where ftie 
present one stands, and was built of logs, and in 1823 or '24. The three things 
peculiar about this building was the ladies' contribution of linen sufficient when 
sold by Augustus W. Sexton at Frazier's store, to pay for the nails and window 
glass for the house ; second, the then common act of some one on the completion 
of the roof of new building to stand on the ridge-pool thereof and christen to 
its proper use the new house, not by breaking the bottle filled with sparkling 
champaign, but by drinking its contents to the health and prosperity of the 
church, and third, the high pulpit, such as prevailed in those days, and were 
reached only by flights of stairs. 

Today the Presbyterian denomination has three churches in the county, 
Buckhannon, French Creek and McCue. 

Rev. Elisha Thomas carried a petition to the Greenbrier presbytery, signed 
by Robert Coyner, Elizabeth Coyner, Mary Cooper, T. E. Janney, Caroline A. 
Janney, Ann Little, Caroline McFadden, David Little, W. A. Patrick, Sarah 
Trimble and Abbey D. Wood, which gave creation to the local church on Novem- 
ber 6, 1849. 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL-\N TROUBLES. 219 

THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH. 

The United Brethern in Christ church began its career in this county in the 
year 1846, at Peeks Run, where a class under the direction and authority of 
Brother Benjamin Stickley of Hardy county was organized. Some of the charter 
members were Mrs. Rebecca Gerald, daughter of Jacob Brake ; JMoses Marple, 
father of G. D. Marple; Henry Neff and Henry Neff James in 1847. John P. 
White was the first class leader. 

The second class organized was at Mt. Washington, Hickory Flat, in the 
same year the county was formed. The ministers who are entitled to praise for 
zeal and fidelity to the U. B. church in its youthful days in these parts were Revs. 
Benjamin Stickley, John Haney, Brashear, L K. Staten and Isiah Baltzel. This 
denomination has for its meritorious work for the past sixty years fourteen 
churches and classes in flourishing condition. 

The greatest stimulus in the Linited Brethren church's growth was 1880, 
when the Normal and Classical Academy was established in the town of Buck- 
hannon. It brought into this field students, scholars and devoted workers, who 
labored assiduously for the strengthening of the society which promoted, guarded 
and supported the struggling school. 

The first society formed by this denomination at Buckhannon was perfected 
in the year 1871, with a membership of twelve. A house of worship was begun, 
and amid many discouragements continued to completion, and dedicated Novem- 
ber 22, 1873. 

The ministers who lent their energy and ability to the building up of this 
local church were : Revs. A. L. Moore, H. L. Poling, J. W. Boggess, D. Barger, 
C. Hall, J. W. Shumaker, G. W. Weekly, J. O. Stephens and .Martin Weekly. 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The initial step for the organization of an Episcopal church in Upshur county 
was taken during 1852, when Robert A. Castleman, resident minister at Clarks- 
burg, and Rev. James Page, a missionary, held various periodical services in 
Buckhannon town. 

The next year Rev. Page was stationed at Weston and held services more 
frequently. His zealous efiforts bore their fruit in due time, and now we have 
two Episcopal churches in the county, one at Buckhannon and one on the plantation 
of the late William T. Higginbotham. 

The Buckhannon church was purchased from the Southern Methodist, re- 
paired, remodeled and named by Rev. T. H. Lacy "The Transfiguration." 

The first time a minister of the Episcopal church was at Spruce was in 1848 
Services were held in the log school house, and the frame one supplanted the log 
house in 1895. when the present building was so nearly completed as to permit 
of occupancy. 

In 1895 the Rev. A. K. Fenton was placed in charge and in July, 1897, 
Spruce Chapel was consecrated under the supervision of Bishop G. W. Peterkin. 

There are at this time fifteen communicants and twenty-eight baptized per- 
sons who look to the church for ministrations. 

A small" rectory was built on the church land in 1897 by Rev. A. K. Fenton, 
the minister in charge. 



220 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL\N TROUBLES. 

THE GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The German Baptist, commonly known as "Dunkards," planted their first 
organization and church during the early years of the rebellion on the head 
waters of Big Sand Run. 

Their first church house was a log structure, which was abandoned for an 
elegant new frame building in 1888. This first class was organized by the devotion 
and energy of Rev. Joseph Houser. The mantle of construction fell from Rev. Jos. 
Houser on the shoulders of our estimable countryman, D. J. Miller, who has 
pushed forward the work of recruit, organization and establishment. He builded 
a church at Indian Camp more than a score of years ago, and in 1903 removed the 
class from that place to Bean's Mill on the B. & O. railroad, where a new and 
handsome home had been previously provided. The third and last class to be or- 
ganized by Rev. Miller was at Goshen, where a strong class meets and worships 
according to the edicts of that organization. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The first church organization at Frenchton was the Baptist in 1816. Rev. 
James Wells preached here and at Buckhannon. 

Robert B. Semple, in his History of the Baptist in Virginia, gives a table 
of Union Association, to which the Buckhannon Baptist church belonged for 
many years. In this he states that the church at Buckhannon was constituted in 
1786, with five members, by Rev. J. W. Loveberry. Uncle Henry Westfall main- 
tains that the Baptist church was organized about the year 1814, and a log house 
was built on the south hill side facing Fink's Run, the present site of the Baptist 
cemetery. After a very thorough investigation of records we are prone to accept 
the later date as the correct one. The members of this first Baptist class were 
Jacob Hyre, John Hyre, John Brake, Jacob Brake and Major Jackson. 

The growth of this church has not been phenomenal, but marked by a regu- 
larity and gradation that is the pride of its members. The Baptist denomination 
now has as the tangible fruition of a century's labors six churches, to which a 
large and appreciative membership and friends weekly repair and pay just devo- 
tion to that God, who is the source of all blessings, temporal and eternal, of earth 
and heaven. 

The present church on Locust street was built in , and its principal sup- 
porters are Senator T. J. Farnsworth, D. C. Hughes, Dr. C. E. White, the Drum- 
mo'nds, Colwes, Sanford Graham. 

METHODIST PROTESTANT. 

Some ten years elapsed after the great schism in the Protestant denomination 
of 1830, before this branch endeavored to effect any organization in this county. 
As is well known, the differences which resulted in the creation of this denomi- 
nation was the manner of government, the contention being to take power from 
the deacons, elders and other high church officers, and lodging it with the people, 
the real bone and sinew of any church. 

The first class was organized at Lorentz, about the year 1837 ; the second 
class was organized at or near the mouth of French Creek. Todaj; this denomi- 
nation is the third strongest in the county, having at least eight churches within 
the county limits. 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 221 

THE CHARACTER AND LIFE OF THE FIRST SETTLERS. 

Our native ancestors lived very simple lives. They were held together by 
the bands of mutual protection and mutual helpfulness, and were shiftless and 
in some instances lazy and vicious. Their greatest aim was to perform the three- 
fold task of building their cabins, clearing the land and planting corn ; and the 
extent of their improvements was gauged largely by the indefinite measure of nec- 
essity. Some would not even enter upon strenuous life of husbandry long enough 
to provide themselves and theirs with bread and meat to sustain them. To these 
the passion of hunting, rambling, visiting and often times pillaging was stronger 
than the love of domestic duty; and they yielded willingly to the sinful tempta- 
tions of gratifying their own inclinations, leaving their helpless and dependent 
families to shift for themselves. 

Our forefathers were backwoodsmen in deed and in truth. Their environ- 
ments, habits, if their parents and birth did not make them so, was fertile soil 
to generate within their breasts those elements and characteristics that style the 
true American. They were virile, inured to all kinds of hardships, expectant of 
any contingency. They were the kernel and seed of the American citizenship 
of today. 

They readily caught on to the ways of their inveterate foe, the savage, who 
by nature never was a husbandman, and imitated him in every thing that guar- 
anteed them less work, more pleasure and greater protection. The five senses of 
the frontier settler were as acute and keen as the hostile Indian to whom the 
wilderness was an open book. 

The Pringle brothers. John Cutright, William White and the Hughes rev- 
elled in abundant story of how they excelled the aborigines in detecting and in- 
terpreting signs, in watching and in trapping game and in seeing and tracking 
the unusual visitors to their little plantations. They could tread the dry leaves 
and dead limbs of the boundless forest as stealthily and silently as the mountain 
panther, and they excelled him, if need be, in cunning and ferocity. Why should 
it not be thus? The child at a very early age accompanied his father in hunt 
and in field, learning by observation how to handle a gun, the wiles of the savage 
and the necessity of quick, rapid action of defense. 

The four walls of the pioneer home were made of unhewn poles, 
uniform in size and similar in length. The roof was cut in pieces 
of bark, usually birch or hickorj' or clap boards. These were held in 
position on the rough horizontal rafters by means of tie poles ; these tie 
poles lay on the lower half of the roofing material sections and directly over the 
rafter. They were kept in place by staves placed between them. Doors were 
hung on wooden hinges, fastened with a latch string and locked with a timber 
button : floors and ceilings of puncheon, rived boards and strong bark made ready 
for habitation the original cabin. As time passed the continuity of life was as- 
sured the rock-based, "cat and clay" chimneys, hewn logs, four-panel windows, 
obtained in buildings and added to home comfort. There were no outbuildings 
other than the bush-covered rail pens known as the stable. It was just strong 
enough to protect animals from harshments of wild beasts. The first painted 
house was built by Jacob Lorentz, and was a sign of wealth, an object of envy 
and an ornament of admiration. The furnishings of the house consisted of a 
cupboard in the corner nearest the fire, a table used for dining and stand pur- 



222 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL\N TROUBLES. 

poses and some rough knife-made chairs and bedsteads ; this latter article had 
two end pieces, fastened to the side of the log house and to the front railing, 
which was attached to legs at either end. Other poles or hickory withes were 
used as slats, and upon them was placed the straw and feather ticks, or more 
often the pallet of furs and skins. The turning lay came later on and improved 
very much the ornamental appearance of the household furniture. With its 
introduction came the use of flax ropes as bedcords. 

The culinary apparatus was of the rudest. Alany substitutes were forced by 
necessity and few vessels oftimes served many purposes. The journey cake was 
baked in cabbage leaves, the sweet pone in large skillets, as was the wheat bread. 

No article of food debated the supremacy of Indian corn as the staple diet, 
but meat, pumpkins and beans were in continued strife to hold their respective 
positions. These digestibles were prepared in frying pans, Dutch ovens and 
large pots by the artful house wife, taken up in pewter basins or wooden trays, 
and served on flat boards or pewter plates. 

No rugs or carpets hid the rough surface of the floor and augmented per- 
sonal comfort untii 1828, when the Goulds and Youngs made in partnership the 
first bolt of rag carpet, using flax for chain and rags for filling. 

The dress of our forefathers was in great part borrowed from the Indian 
The fur cap was the man's headgear. It was made grotesque by leaving the tail 
of the wild animal hang from the crown, making its wearing have a weird, fierce 
look. Samuel Oliver made some ill-shaped headgear, but the first real wool liats 
were made by Abraham Carper, who came here soon after serving an apprentice- 
ship in Pennsylvania. The main part of the body was covered with the fringed 
hunting shirt, homespun or buckskin. It was a loose cloak or smock reaching to 
the knees and held in at the waist by a belt from which hung the tomahawk, 
bowieknife or other sharp instruments. Many preferred the shorter coat of 
homespun jeans, called the "wamus." It was tied around the body just below 
the waistband of the breeches. This was another absolute article of male attire, 
made of deerskin or linsey woolsey. The feet were protected by moccasins made 
of tanned horsehide, cowhide, buffalo or deerskin. They were light, loose, elastic 
when wet and rasping when dry. 

The most intricate machine of the home was the loom, an appliance for the 
weaving of cloths and carpets. By means of this instrument and the growing 
of a few sheep and a small acreage of flax, the good housewife was able to man- 
ufacture linsey woolsey, a kind of cloth known as the warmest and strongest. 
Toe was the warp and yarn was the woof of this cloth. Many of our grandma- 
mas were experts in weaving, putting out in one day's full work many yards. 

The one other article of great usefulness to the pioneer was the gun ; it is a 
firearm. The first of that class was called flintlock, so named because the user 
had to touch off the powder with a spark produced by steel coming in violent 
attack with a flint. The second is known as the percussion lock guns, the powder 
of which was exploded by a hammer sent forth by a strong spring and striking 
a small copper cap containing fulminating powder. These weapons were mu»zle 
loaders, very accurate and very long, compared with the present firearms. Some- 
times from dampness of cap or weakness of strike guns failed to fire, and this 
was great argument against their use at first. Abraham Crites once having an 

experience of this kind declared his gun was not worth a d . Hunters were 

adepts in the use of these guns, always boasting and tormenting each other about 
the excellency and accurateness of their own. It is remarkable that many pio- 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDLW TROUBLES. 223 

neers could shot, load, fire and reload those old percussion muzzle loaders with 
a quickness that would astound the living Nimrod. 

In the hands of the true backwoodsman the gun subserved two ends. It 
was a weapon of defense and protection, and it was an instruments of supply 
and furnishing. Its function in this latter case was facilitated, yea compelled 
when the scarcity of grain and other provisions was general. The failure of 
the corn crop drove the pioneer to the expedient of a substitute for bread, and 
this could be found only in the dense, fertile, boundless forest, which shrowded 
his home and contained game. The Pringle brothers saw, met and killed two 
or three shaggy-maned buffalos who were feeding on the wild sweet peas 
and other nutritious plants on the fertile lands along which the beaten buffalo 
path lead. Wild turkeys were also plentiful and furnished the first settlers with 
many delectable roasts. The lordliest game of all the forest here about was the 
round-horned deer, whose antlers spread out like producing apple trees, and whose 
numbers were great. This animal saved many a poor family from starvation, 
scurvey and disease, and the home was safe when a goodly amount of jerk, dear 
meat dried in the sun or by the fire, was on hand. The bear abounded where 
chestnuts, haws and persimmons abounded, and was another standby to the 
pioneer. Whenever the larder was deficient of hog grease, butter or other short- 
ening or seasoning, the man went forth on the beloved bear ground to kill one 
of its inhabitants in order that fat and oil for cooking might be had. The pigeons 
at times filled the woods, and came down on the improvements in such large 
flocks that their coming was like unto impending clouds ; and when they came 
down on a plantation they spread devastation and desolation in their way. 

The black and gray squirrel made inroads on the corn field and had to be 
repulsed and driven away continuously to save the crop. 

Besides these animals might be mentioned the woodchuck, whose habitation 
was under an old stump in an old field and whose fur was warm and desirous 
for head covering : the panther or American lion, whose nature was vicious and 
whose invasions were frequent. Nor must we forget the wolf, whose sheep 
killing proclivities were only satisfied with a full and complete gratification of their 
blood-thirsty appetite. 

The frontiersmen lived in a stage of independent economy. Everything 
from bread to sandals was produced or manufactured by members of the 
household. The grubbing of a few acres for a corn patch was usually done by 
the man in the open days of winter ; and if the approach of spring found little 
work done on the intended clearing a general invitation was sent to neighbors to 
come in and make up the backwardness. These gatherings were largest at chop- 
pings and rollings. The married and unmarried women were visitors at the 
home of the maker of these parties on the same day. passing their time in the use- 
ful labor of quilting a bed cover or separating dirt from sheep's wool and spin- 
ning it into available yarn. That night men and women made merry in dance, 
song, drink and story ; these social exercises both terminated and dominated the 
separate day gatherings. They were called "frolics," and are known to this day 
as such. Oftimes a full month in spring was given to attendance on these frolics ; 
mutual helpfulness was the motive back of them. He who rolled logs for an- 
other fould have help in rolling his own logs. During autumn a repetition on a 
smaller scale occurred with those who wanted to sow wheat. 

With the single exception of these grubbing, chopping and rolling frolics 
the frontiersman relied exclusively upon his own help and ingenuity. With the 



S24 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES., 

ihand-made plow, all wood but the broad shovel or narrow colter fastened at the 
lower end of the beam, he weaved in and out among the roots andl stomps across- 
the cleared patch until the tough turf was well broken. The power drawing the- 
,plow was either the horse harnessed with home-made straw collar, wooden 
hames, leather back-bands and hemp traces, or a pair of cattle joined together,, 
side by side, by hickory bows passing around the neck and up through holes in 
•a wooden beam laying just behind the bovine's ears. A wooden key was thrrnst 
through a small aperture in the end of the inside prong of the bow, holding it in 
place on the neck and in the beam. The Pringle brothers did their plowing and 
hauling with a milch cow, harnessed like a horse. The animal served the double 
purpose for years of a beast of burden and a producer of food. 

John Hacker, at Lorentz, was the first blacksmith on the waters of the Bitck- 
hannon. 

Prior to his cobbling in iron the frontiersmen had to use withes for chains, 
for bolts and for ropes. The singletree was a three-foot stick of toagh wood, with 
a hole through the center and another at the end. 

Clips were unknown. The doubletree was like the singletree and larger. 

The saddle was a typical pack saddle, made of dogwood forks and slats of 
■wood. Blankets of rags or sheepskin were put under this rough make-shift to 
lessen the injury to the animal's back and skins of fur and wool were put over 
it to lessen injury to the rider's stern. 

Horses, cattle and hogs were fed out of soft wood troughs of every size 
and length ; and oftimes the larger troughs were used as grain bins, pickling 
"barrels and swill tubs. Milk pails and water buckets were wooden, manufactured 
■of dressed staves and hickory hoops. When these vessels were distinct the former 
■was called a "keeler," the latter a "piggin," but the rule was that multiplicity 
■produced confusion and one was sufficient for both purposes. 

Sleds were exclusively used until the dawn of the nineteen centun-. 
Messrs. Jacob Lorentz, Abraham Carper and Abe Post transported their goods 
irom Beverly on a wagon in 1800, the first seen on the Buckhannon. The first 
■wagon brought here permanently was the one carrying the goods of Messrs. 
Robert Young and Gilbert Gould. The paths were so narrow and steep, it fell 
into disuse and decay. 

Hogs and cattle date their presence with the beginning. The rich mast and 
nutritious range kept the swine in a growing, healthy condition, such as insured 
and encouraged rapid multiplication. Shortly the woods were full of them. If 
hog meat was craved the pioneer had no trouble to satisfy his craving. As time 
went on a market for savory mountain ham was found and the hog trade became 
a paying business. 

The demand for hogs was responsible for infinite and sometimes menacing 
disputes over ownership. The cause of these disputes was removed by the custom 
of a system of markings, ear cuttings, nose lashings and tail trimmings. Messrs. 
James' Smith, Abram Reger, James Teeter and J. Wesley Westfall were some 
of the first hog merchants. The hogs brought a certain ])rice per head, were col- 
lected in one large herd at the home of the buyer, and started off on foot to mar- , 
ket. Men were hired to follow them to Richmond, Winchester or Cumberland 
and watch that none escaped. The owner usually followed soon after his drove 
in a wagon loaded with corn and carrying an empty box to rest and help the tired 
or injured which fell by the way. 



EARLY SETTLERS AXD IXDL\N TROUBLES. 225 

Chester W. Morgan was employed to assist in driving a herd of 937 to 
Richmond, which place was reached with the full number. 

Wandering away from improvements and staying away for a term of years 
effected the hog's tameness and reduced him in many instances to his former 
wild and ferocious state. 

GEOGRAPHY OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

This political division of the commonwealth of West Virginia hangs like an 
elongated diamond on the thirty-ninth parallel of north latitude. About four times 
as much territory lies south of this parallel as lies north of it. Its width being 
about one-third of its length. It lies between the eightieth and the eightieth and 
thirty minute's meridens of longitude east of Greenwich. 

The surface of Upshur county is undulating and bordering upon the rough. 
This surface lies above the sea level at a height ranging from eleven hundred 
to three thousand feet, a sufficient variation to cause a very perceptible difference 
in temperature and in the ripeness of fruits and vegetables. 

The streams of Upshur county are such as are found at the head waters of 
all the principal rivers of this continent. Away up against the mountain side 
beyond the confines of LTpshur county there bursts forth a perennial stream of 
water which flounders around in the porous soil thereabout and finally .starts off 
down the western slope. As this tiny stream goes on, it receives additions, branches 
and divisions which make it stronger and stronger; it creeps, silently, toward the 
father of waters until it becomes a river, silvery in its appearance, sinuous in its 
direction and rich in its blessings. The beauty of this principal river through 
the central portion of LTpshur county transcends that beautiful river of which 
long ago it was sung in most delightful poesy, 

"Onward ever, lovely river. 

Softly falling to the sea. 

Time that scars us, maims and mars us. 

Leaves no track or trench on thee." 

In many places along the course of this river there are positive geological 
testimonials of its prehistoric origin and work. The broad alluvial valleys, and 
• the wide fertile plateaus through which this stream flows, is proof ample and 
abundant that some time in the ages of the past its banks extended from hill top 
to hill top; geological up-hcavals, the ocean's receding action, and the erosion 
caused by these streams, have wrought the change whereby these waters are more 
limited and less dangerous. From the northern to the southern end of the 
county streams of lesser size empty their water into the bosom of this beautiful 
river. On the west side commencing in the northern end of the county and 
proceeding toward the southern extremity, are Peck's Run, Turkey Run, Fink's 
Run, Cutright's Run, French Creek, and Big Run pouring their sparkling waters 
into the Buckhannon. On the east side commencing at the north and going 
southward. Big Sand Run, Little Sand Run, Truby's Run, Grassy Run, Panther 
Run and the Left Fork empty their contents into the same stream. 

In the southern portion of Washington District a score of intermittent streams 
give rise to small rivulets which course their way down different vales toward 
a common valley where they can all unite their waters and proceed toward the 



226 EARLY SETTLERS AND INDLAN TROUBLES. 

illimitable ocean ; from where these streams come together on to its junction 
with the Buckhannon River the name Middle Fork River is given to these waters. 
This stream is of most importance to the count}' in that it makes a natural 
boundery line between Ulpshur and Randolph counties for fully one-half of the 
distance of their contiguity. In the most extreme southern magisterial district 
on the west side of the county one of the leading rivers of the State has its source. 
The river alluded to is the Little Kanawha, whose Left Fork and Right Fork 
and Cherry Fork all have their headsprings in Bank's District. 

The West Fork has but two streams worthy of mention arising in Upshur 
county ; the names of these streams are Straight Fork and Hacker's Creek in the 
southern and northern portions, respectively. 

Of- all the affluents of the Buckhannon River the largest is French Creek, 
which has a total length of sixteen miles, with Bull Run, Grand Camp, Laurel 
Fork, Bush Run, Slab Camp and Sand Run as its principal tributaries. 

Soil. — The soil of Upshur county is as varied as its surface. Its nature, 
fertility and depth depend upon geographic and geological conditions that effected 
their work millions of years ago. It is a well known fact that soil and climate 
effect more readily the higher life of man than any other animal ; therefore, these 
geographic circumstances have much to do with the vocations of the people living 
upon any particular division of surface. If a man is a farmer the crops which 
he cultivates will depend entirely upon the nature of the soil and the character 
of the climate — the amount of heat the sun sends him and the quantity of rain 
which falls on his fields. He must raise those grains and vegetables which the 
heat, the rain, and the nature of the earth around him will grow and produce. 
The character of this soil and climate, makes the occupation of farming most 
general among our people. The history of this soil is simple and yet ver\- won- 
derful. Shaler in his "Story of Our Continent," tells us that soils of North 
America are of three classes. First, on the northern part that soil which is 
produced during the period of geology known as the glacial period, in which the 
pebbles and sand and finer particles are pushed some distance away from the bed 
rocks from which they came. Second, that soil which is directly derived from 
the rocks immediately beneath the surface, that is, the fine particles of sand and 
vegetable matter are washed down from a steep slope and caught and held on a 
more level surface. With such a soil it is possible for the close observer to readily 
detect the differences of the underlying rock. Third, that soil which is produced 
by deposit made on the banks of rivers and oceans at the time of their overflow 
or by their incoming tides. 

The soil of Upshur county was formed principally according to the second 
method. The fine pieces of rock, the particles of clay and sand which have been 
torn and worn from the firm under-rock, by the action of rain, frost, rivers, waves 
and the roots of plants as well as by the decay which all rock material is heir to, 
are mingled n one conglomerate mass. Mixed with this fine stony substance 
are leaves, decayed underbrush, roots and other stems which when finely divided 
and abundantly distributed, give the soil a dark color. The rain falls on this 
surface and percolates through it, seizing on its way downward such elements 
as will combine with it in solution. This solution is food for the plant which 
springs up and covers the surface. "On the proportion of lime, potash, phosphatic 
matter, soda, and various materials found in this soil water, depends the fertility 
of the soil ; that is, its fitness to nourish crops ; whether those of wild nature 
or of the tilled fields." 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL'\N TROUBLES. 227 

All our rocks were produced on old sea-floors and these sea-floors are of 
diflferent ages as evidenced by the nature of the rock. In the northern part of the 
county we have the youngest of these surface rotks and from its nature it forms 
the richest soil. As we go southward and eastward these surface rocks are 
older and less fertile, due to the action of the natural elements and their age. 
The soil of Upshur county on the whole is fertile. Yet, there is a wide difference 
between one section and another section of the county in the fertility of its 
respective soils. 

The climate of this county is wholesome, ranging in temperature from 20' 
Fahrenheit below zero to 100° above. The winters are colder and the summers 
are hotter than localities in the same latitude in the Old World. The contrast 
of temperature on the same parallel east and west of the Alleghenies is very 
noticeable. These alternations seem to be helpful to the health of the human 
body, serving to beget activity and exercise, which strengthen and invigorate the 
whole system, and resulting in a degree of vital energy and healthful persever- 
ance that frustrate disease, bestows happiness and gives long life. 

Upshur is most suitable to the life of man and the domesticated animals 
which contribute most to the happiness of man. 

The annual precipitation of rain varies between 42 and 52 inches and the 
distribution of rain as regards the seasons is generally favorable to the needs of 
the husbandman and stockraiser. 

There are but few periods of scorching drought and so brief is their duration 
that little permanent damage results. The same is true as respects the excesses 
of rainfall. So that the average return from the soil, is uniform and not sub- 
jected to dangerous fluctuations. Our proximity to the mountains and our 
dense forests, have made us immune from the serious dangers of a famine and 
the great sufifering of a drought. No sterile fields and long-faced farmers need 
exist in Upshur. The United States Weatherman tells us that one year the 
average temperature was 49.9, precipitation 48.63. 

The wide range of climate has the advantage of producing manifold variety 
of crops. It also determines the kind, and number of animals which inhabit the 
air, the land and the water. Our fields have but one product that enter into the 
economics of the world ; our live stock is sufficient to produce a tiny ripple on the 
great export markets of New York and Liverpool. The possibilities of small 
fruits, orchards and dairy products entering into (intcr-state commerce, are 
great. 

The principal productions of the soil in Upshur county consists of the great 
variety of grasses which are converted into hay and pasture, and when properly 
and judiciously fed to cattle and sheep, make those animals fat. The county is 
peculiarly adapted to grazing purposes. Upon the clearing awa\- of the forests 
and the breaking of the wooded turf and even without this last process there will 
spring up voluntarily and luxuriantly grasses most nutritious and most valuable. 

Nature advises the limitations of grain growing. Without consulting the 
forces of nature which conduce to the growth of grains, such as the altitude above 
the sea level and propitious climate, the grain grower is liable to meet with failure. 
Government statistics inform us that 60 per cent of the grain grown in the 
United States is produced on the soil below the level of 1,000 feet and 90 per 
cent of grain of the United States is grown on land below 1,500 feet. So that 
being the case, the altitude of the surface of Upshur county can never be made 
fo contribute very much to the grain products of the country. With 1,500 feet 



228 EARLY SETTLERS AND LNDLAN TROUBLES. 

elevation above the sea as the Hne of demarcation of profitable grain growing 
the labor of the husbandman who attempts and expects good returns for his 
labor, must confine himself to that section of the county which is north of the 
mouth of Grassy Run. While the 1,500 foot contour line extends up the Buck- 
hannon River and over to the mouth of Grassy Run, it must also be observed 
that the portion of the county which lies below diis level to any important degree 
is very small ; and therefore the topography of Upshur county is decidedly unfa- 
vorable to the production of grain. 

Apples, pears and peaches thrive in this upland country and more attention 
and consideration should be given to their growing and product. 

The facts clearly indicate that Upshur county has not a tilable soil and that 
farming operation must be very limited whatever may have been the results of 
former days when the soil was newer and the prospects more promising. The 
business of this county for a score of years past and for time to come has been 
and will be reduced to four principal pursuits : grazing, forestr}', mining and 
fruit growing. 

The forests of Upshur county are only a section and small part of that great 
Appalachian woodland whose timber has been the source of a profitable income 
to land owners for the past half-century. Every acre of territory in this county 
was once covered with valuable trees which, had they been left growing until the 
present time, would have yielded the handsome price of at least $80 per acre 
on the average. So dense were these forests that the pioneers regarded them 
as a serious obstacle in the establishment of settlements. The ground 
upon which they grew and flourished, had to be cleared for agricultural pur- 
poses ; and so thick and so high were the trees that it was utterly impossible and 
impracticable for the pioneer soil-tiller to remove, as did his English brother, all 
the stumps and roots from the soil before he tilled it. So the Indian custom of 
taking out the underbrush and girding the trees to deaden them, was adopted. 
Later those girdled trees were felled to the ground and destroyed by the consum- 
ing flame. Yet the roots were in the way of the plow, and however fertile the soil, 
it was often a life-time before the farmer had smooth fields. 

The natural use of the wood is to store up the rainfall in the decaying vege- 
up and held in abeyance, yielding slowly to the stream, thus diminishing the force 
table matter which lay around the roots of the giant trees. This water is taken 
of the winter torrents and maintaining a constant flow through the summer 
season. The forests are most important to man when the population is dense 
and many and varied buildings are needed. Then it is that a general demand 
for lumber makes timber valuable and profitable to both the forest owner and 
the manufacturer. 

The great majority of trees comprising the forests of this county are the 
broad leaf deciduous tree, such as the beech, the giant oak, the hickory, the wal- 
nut, the magnolia and the noble tulip tree, or more commonly known as the pop- 
lar. The lumber manufactured from these trees is very valuable for building 
purposes for furniture and for finishing. In addition to the broad leaf trees we 
have the pine, hemlock, spruce, and other narrow leaf growths which mingle 
their towering tops with those of the broad leaf, making the general appearance 
of the forests one of beauty and attraction. This latter class of trees is also 
valuable for the lumber which they produce. The mills which have operated 
and are now operating in the limits of Upshur county are numerous and varied 
in the capacity of their production. Among the saw-mills worthy of notice 



EARLY SETTLERS AND INDL^N TROUBLES. . 229 

which have manufactured lumber of priceless value and general usefulness are 
the following, 

The Buckhannon River Lumber Company, whose chief mill was located 
in the town of Buckhannon and began operations under that noted lumberman, 
A. H. Winchester, in the early eighties. 

The Alexander Company, whose magnitude of forest acreage and lumber 
operations the past sixteen years on the Buckhannon river some twenty-five miles 
south of the county seat, is yet attracting the attention of lumbermen all over 
the country, and the Stockert Lumber Company whose plant was built on a 
the country, and the Stockert Lumber Company, whose plant was built on the 
branch of the Buckhannon river east of Alton ten years ago, put out a quality 
and quantity of lumber that made its promoter and builder, G. F. Stockert, a 
man of means and affluence. 

Besides these large saw-mills before mentioned there is a multitude of porta- 
ble mills which have done and are still doing manufacturing business of good 
quality and great value. The lumber interests of this county for the past twenty 
years transcend in their value and worth all other business combined. 

POPULATION. 

1900. 1890. 1880. 1870. i860 

Upshur county ' 14,696 12,714 8,498 7,292 

Banks district 3.201 2,577 1,272 

Buckhannon district 1,674 

Including Buckhannon town 3)489 2,542 

Buckhannon town 1,589 1,403 473 

Meade district 2,316 2,124 1,284 

Union district 2,115 ^,941 1,176 

Warren district 1,239 I,4i8 1,601 

Washington district 2.336 2,112 1,016 

DIVISION OF POPULATION. 

1900. 1890. 1880. 1870. i860 

Males 7_j433 6,412 5,194 4,027 

Females 7,263 6,302 5,055 3,996 

Native Bom — Females 7,221 

Foreign born 107 138 127 91 

White 14,473 12,458 10,048 7,851 7,064 

Negroes 221 256 201 172 *2I2 

*i6 free colored; 212 slaves. 

1900. 

Native born — Males 7,368 

Natve born — Females 7,221 

Foreign born — Males 65 

Foreign born — Females 42 

Native parents — Males 7,1 1 1 



Total white in 1870 8,279 

Foreign parents 284 

Males - 152 

Females 132 



230 • EARLY SETTLERS AND INDIAN TROUBLES. 

Foreign white io6 

Males 64 

Females 42 

Total colored in 1870 219 

Males 106 

Females 117 

From the above table two strong inferences are drawn, first, that the in- 
crease of population from one decade to another has been constant, uniform and 
about the same rate as the national increase ; second, that the native born portion 
of the population in comparison with the foreign born bears the ratio of 99 to i. 
A third lesson can be drawn from this table in the fact that the whites con- 
stitute 98 per cent of the population and the negroes about 2 per cent. This rela- 
tion has existed ever since the importation of the first negro into this county with 
the per cent decreasing the further we go back into the annals and records of 
local population. 

The people of Upshur county are frugal, industrious and honest. No 
where in West Virginia and mayhap, no where in the United States on 360 
square miles of farming and agricultural lands, can there be found a population 
in which these characteristics are so uniformly marked. While this poeple lack 
the desperate energy and killing activity of the western promoter, business man 
and farmer, they are blessed with an abiding desire for that uniformity of labor 
and continuance of quietude that lengthen their lives and insures earthly peace 
and contentment. 

This people is abstemious in all things, yet possessed of such foresight as 
enable them to struggle continually to lay up such treasures on earth as to meet 
the accidents of climate and the exigencies of health. And when these purposes 
are filled their ambitions run toward higher, nobler, and grander attainments 
such as the acquisition of knowledge, the experimentation with natural forces 
and the contemplation of states of mind and conditions of heart that reap their 
reward in telling to others the glad story of how contentment maybe secured 
and must be attained, whether in a hut or in a palace. For such people the 
glitter of gold itself stimulates not to action. 

In a previous paragraph the general elevation of the county was given, and 
now more specific places of elevation throughout the county are given. Bob 
Peak, or Mt. Bob, near Rock Cave, above the sea 2161 feet; Beverage Knob, 
near Stillman, 1,675 ^^et ; Willson Knob, near Frenchton, 1,609 feet; Church 
Knob, near Queens, 2,222 feet; Buckhannon town, 1,405 feet; Lorentz, 1,435 
feet; Mick Hill, 1,810 feet; Rural Dale, 1,122 feet; Peck's Run, 1,419 feet; 
Hinkle, 1,431 feet; Swamp Run, 1,721 feet; Hemlock, 2,461 feet; Palace Valley, 
2,506 feet; Alexander, 1,817 feet; Alton, 1,809 f^^^; Sago, 1,422 feet; mouth of 
French creek, 1,412 feet; Overhill 1,432 feet; Newlonton, 1,910 feet; Kanawha 
Head, 1,903 feet; Pickens, 2,672 feet. 

These elevations when studied closely and comparatively, impress upon 
the mind the conviction that the topography of the county was that of a plain 
or plateau at some time in the past ; that this land stood at a much lower altitude 
than now, in fact was sea-bottom for ages. It has since been raised gradually 
to its present elevation. The high hills which are noted in the list of elevations 
preserved because of the fact that the rocks forming them were unusually hard, 
and therefore, they were protected from erosion. The uneven surface was 
produced by the uneven density and hardness of the rocks. 




ASH CAMP ROCK, ON BUCKHAXNOX RiVEK. 




TAXBARK SHED, at the William Flaccus Oak and Leather Tannery. 




CRITPJri MILL AT SKLIiVVlLL 



CHAPTER XIX. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 



"The whole is equal to the sum of all its parts." Within thirty years after 
the founding of Jamestown, Virginia was divided into eight counties and shires. 
These were the first counties organized in the New World and were similar in all 
respects, except size, to the counties or shires of England. They were named 
James City, Henrico, Elizabeth City, Warwick River, Warrosquiyoake (Isle oi 
Wight, Charles River and Acomack. Charles City and Warwick River, North- 
ampton, Gloucester, Northumberland, Sussex, New Kent, Staflford, Middlesex, 
Norfolk, Princess Anne, King, Queen, Richmond, King William, Prince George, 
Spottsylvania, King George. Hanover, Brunswick, Goochland, Caroline, Amelia, 
Orange, Frederick and Augusta were formed during the next hundred years at 
liifferent times, for the one purpose to make provision for good civil and police 
government for the daring pioneers. 

Of Frederick and Augusta counties, Henning's statutes say that all that 
territory and tract of land at present (1738- deemed to be part of the county oi 
Orange, lying on the northwest side of the top of the said Blue Ridge moun- 
tains), extending from thence northerly westerly and southerly beyond the said 
mountains, to the utmost limits of Virginia, be separated from the rest of said 
county, and erected into two district counties and parishes ; to be divided by a 
line to be run from the head spring of Hedgman river to the headspring of the 
liver Potomac, and that all that part of said territor>' lying to the northeast of the 
said line beyond the top of the said Blue Ridge, shall be one district, count and 
parish, to be calld Fredrick, and the other side to be one district, county and 
parish, to be called Augusta. 

Note the limitable boundary of these two counties — northerly, westerly and 
southerly. A glance at your map will show that these counties embrace the 
plateau valley of the Shenandoah, commonly styled the Valley of Virginia, and all 
that portion of country known as the Northwest territory, including Kentucky 
on the south. 

An examination of historical maps will show the reader about what por- 
tions of West Virginia were embraced in the above mentioned counties. , 

Before proceeding to the further history of the divisions and sub-divisions 
of counties, till we reach the formation of Upshur, it is very proper that we should 
explain the term "District of West Augusta." 



232 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

This term was used in contradistinction to East Auguta or that part of 
Augusta County between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountain ranges. Boun- 
dries for this Western county or district were given in 1776, when the Virginia 
Assembly said "Beginning on the Allegheny mountains between the heads of 
Potowmack, Cheat and Greenbrier rivers, thence along the ridge of mountains 
which divides the waters of Cheat river from those of Greenbrier, and that branch 
of the Monongahela river called Tygarts Valley river, to the Monongahela river ; 
thence up the said river and the West Fork thereof to Bingamon's creek, on the 
northeast of the said West Fork, thence up the said creek to the head thereof; 
thence in a direct course to the head of Middle Island creek, a branch of the 
Ohio, and thence to the Ohio, including all the waters of the aforesaid creek in 
the aforesaid District of West Augusta, all that territory lying to the northward 
of the aforesaid boundary and to the westward of the states of Pennsylvania and 
Maryland, shall be deemed and is hereby declared to be within the District of 
West Augusta." 

The boundaries of the District of West Augusta would be about as follows : 
Beginning on the top of the Alleghenies at the northeast corner of Pocahontas 
county and nmning thence southwesterly to Mingo Flats in Randolph county; 
thence, from source to mouth of the Tygarts Valley river; thence up the West 
Fork river to mouth of Bingamons Creek to the head waters of Middle Island 
creek in Doddridge county ; thence with said stream northwesterly to Central 
Tyler county ; thence west to the Ohio river ; thence up said Ohio river to Pitts- 
burgh ; thence up the Monongahela river to the Cheat river mouth and up Cheat 
river to the beginning. 

Ohio, Yohogatiia and Monongalia. — After October, 1776, this District of 
"West Augusta" disappears, being distributed among the three counties, Ohio, 
Yohogania and Monongalia. The first and last of these three counties we still 
have, though greatly diminished and limited in their boundaries. The greater 
part of Yohogania, after the westward extension of the Mason and Dixon line 
in 1784. fell to Pennsylvania, and whatever residue remained was, by act of as- 
sembly in 1785, added to Ohio county. Thus Yohogania went off the map by 
substitution and displacement. 

The boundaries of Monongalia established by this act of 1776 were defined 
as follows: "All that part of the said district lying to the northward of the 
county of Augusta, to the westward of the meridian of the fountain of the 
Potomack, to the southward of the county of Yohogania and to the eastward of 
the county of Ohio, shall be one other district county, and shall be called and 
known by the name of Monongalia." 

In May of 1784 Harrison county was formed from Monongalia, with boun- 
daries delineated as follows : From and after the 20th day of July next the 
county of Monongalia shall be divided into two distinct counties by a line begin- 
ning on the Maryland line at the Fork Ford on the land of John Goff ; thence down 
the said creek to Tygarts \''alley Fork of the Monongahela river ; thence down 
the same to the mouth of the Bingamons creek ; thence up said creek to the line 
of Ohio county ; and that part of the said county lying south of the said line 
shall be called and known by the name of Harrison. The territory now embraced 
in Upshur county must be included in this new county of Harrison, for the crea- 
tive act provides that the first court of Harrison county should be held at the house 
of George Jackson at Bush's Fort, on Buckhannon river. So the present county 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 233 

seat of Upshur was county seat of Harrison county for at least one year after 
its formation. 

Randolph county was formed in October, 1786, the act stating "that 
from and after the first day of May, one thousand seven hundred and 
eighty-seven, the county of Harrison shall be divided into two distinct counties, 
that is to say, so much of said county lying on the southeast of the following 
lines beginning at the mouth of Sandy creek; thence up Tygarts Valley river to 
the mouth of Buckhannon river ; thence up the said river, including all the waters 
thereof; thence down Elk river, including the waters thereof, to the Greenbrier 
line, shall be one distinct county, to be called and known by the name of Ran- 
dolph ; and the residue of the said county shall retain the name of Harrison. 
This act is additional proof that this (Upshur- territory was a part of Harrison, 
and that part east of the Buckhannon river was included in Randolph on its for- 
mation, and it was even thought that Buckhannon settlement or the territory 
in and around the present site of Buckhannon was included in Randolph county. 
To substantiate that contention we quote a subsequent act of the assembly. The 
act was styled "Addition to Harrison" ; that all that part of the county of Ran- 
dolph called Buckhannon settlement. 

Beginning on the dividing ridge at the head of Stone Cole ; thence running 
down Bull Run to French creek; thence with said creek to Buckhannon river; 
thence down the same to the lines of Christopher Strader's survey ; thence with 
the same reversed to John Jackson's lines and with the same to a fourteen-hun- 
dred-acre survey of George Jackson's ; thence down Buckhannon river to the 
line of Harrison county and with said line to the beginning. This act passed 
January 2nd, 1802. 

A new factor now enters into our boundary question, and we are made to 
ask what becomes of Buckhannon settlement. December 18, 1816, the Virginia 
Assembly passed the act forming the county of Lewis and defining its boundaries 
as follows, viz : Beginning at the head of the left hand fork of Jesse's Run ; 
thence a straight line to the mouth of Kinchloes creek; thence up said creek to 
the dividing ridge ; thence a west course to the Wood county line ; thence to in- 
clude all the south part of Harrison down to the mouth of Buckhannon river; 
thence a straight line to the beginning. It is evident from this act that the por- 
tion of Upshur west of Buckhannon river was in Lewis county. We proceed 
now to give the boundaries of Barbour county, which was formed by act of 
Assembly IMarch 3, 1843, and the limits were delineated as follows : Beginning 
opposite the mouth of Sandy creek on the east side of the Valley river, in the now 
county of Randolph : thence down said Valley river with the several meanderings 
thereof to M. Daniel's ferry ; thence a straight line to the dividing ridge on the 
waters of Simpson creek and Bartlett's Run (so as to include Reuben Davisson) ; 
thence a straight line to the old farm now occupied by Samuel Bartlett ; thence 
to the head of Goodwin's Run ; thence a straight line to the mouth of Matthew's 
Camp Run on Elk creek ; thence a straight line to William Bean's on Gnatty 
creek ; thence a straight line to the head of Peck's Run ; thence with the dividing 
ridge between the head of Peck's Run ; thence with the dividing ridge between 
the head of Peck's Run and Hacker's creek to the gap of said ridge where the 
road crosses leading down to Hacker's creek; thence a straight line to Samuel 
Black's residence (including him) on Buckhannon river; thence a straight line 
to the mouth of Sarvis Run on the Middle Fork of the Valley river; thence a 
straight line to the gap of Laurel Hill mountain, where the Widow Corley's comer 



234 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 



tree stands ; thence with the top of said mountain until where it comes to the 
Preston county line; thence with the Preston-Randolph line to the beginning. 
From these acts it is plain that the territory now embraced in Upshur county was 
parts of three counties — east of the Buckhannon river belonging to Randolph, 
west of the river to Lewis and the northern part to Barbour. 

The first petitioned legal efifort for the establishment of the new county, 
which was afterwards called Upshur, was made in the year 1848, when, pursuant 
to sections one, two and three of chapter fifty-seven, page fifty-five, of the Virginia 
code of 1846-47, a vote was taken. It will be recalled that the time of holding 
an election upon the intention of parties to petition the general assembly to create 
a new county was the same as for the election of delegates — the fourth Thursday 
of April of every year. So at the regular election of the spring of 1848 proper 
books were made in due fonn, with the caption stating the counties from which 
the new county is supposed to be formed, the seat of justice, and with the two 
columns on opposite sides of the same page, bearing at the head of one : "For the 
new county," at the head of the other, "Against he new county." 

Authentic copies of these poll books, at the voting precincts of Buckhannon 
town and Beech Town, now Frenchton, are here given to indicate the strength 
of the movement at these respective points, which were the only places in the 
present bounds of Upshur where elections were held. 

Poll at Buckhannon for and against a new county out of parts Lewis, Har- 
rison, Randolph and Barbour, with the county seat at Buckhannon Town : 

FOR THE COUNTY 



Elmore Brake 
Wm. W. Jackson 
W. C. Carper 
Benjamin Radabaugh 
Archibald Hinkle 
Thorn. Farnsworth 
Elijah Hyre 
Thos. Deen 
Jac Clark 
Leonard Crites 
Joel Pringle 
Wm. Bennett 
Nathan Leggett, alive 
E. J. Colerider 
C. W. McNulty 
John Ireland 
Melvel Brake 
C. D. Tremble 
Isaac Brake , 

Jac Paugh 
Jno. N. Londin 
Sam'l Spitler 
O. B. Loudln 
Lot Cutrlght 
Jacob S. Strader 



Geo. W. Miller 
Nicholas McVaney 
Benj. Rohrbough 
Henry Reger 
Wm. L. Anderson 
B?. J. Burr 
Robert Pritt 
Wm. R. Starcher 
Abram Post, Jr. 
Wm. Mick 
Amos C. Pringle 
John H. Rohrbough 
David Curtis 
Jas. M. Wolf 
Geo. Post 
D. J. Casto 
D. M. Bennett 
Sam'l C. Tenney 
Lair Dean 
Peter Hyer 
James Dicks 
Isaac Casto 
John Strader 
John O. Core 
Isaac Reger 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 



FOR THE COUNTY— Continued. 



Goodwin Reger 

Jac Strader, jr. 

Abel Strader 

Charles Mick 

David D. Caste 

Jac Owens 

Benj. Archer, brother-in-law 

law of M. J. Jackson. 
Washington Ratcliff, alive 
Biven Abbott 
Nimrod Reger 
Joseph Liggett 
Absolem Shrieve 
Isaac Strader 

Martin Casto, coffee Martin 
John R. Abbott 
Wm. S. Sumner 
Teter Lewis 
J. D. Rapp 
Wm. R. Weatherholt 
Simon Rohrbrough 
Isaac Owens 
L. L. D. Loudin 
John Reger, sr. 
Edw'd Wertinbaker 
James Mullins, father of 

Jennie Mullins 
A. R. Ireland, father of Mrs. 

D. D. T. Parnsworth 
Henry C. Middleton 
Geo. Hurshman 
Isaac Dix 
Isaac W. Simnon 
C. J. Dickinson 
Geo. Alman 
Enoch Cutright 
Henry Colerider 
Ebenezer Leonard 
Anthony Reger 
Jac L. Crites 
Jno. D. Hyre 
H. M. Rollins 
John M. Rohrbough 
Gideon Martin 
Geo. C. Moore 
Daniel Carper 
Jacob Crites 
Martin Strader 



Geo. Clark 
Walter Loudin 
James Griffith 
C. Cutright 
John L. Boggess 
Nathaniel Farnsworth 
Daniel Night 
Abram Crites 
Isaac Strader 
Anthony Strader 
Stewart Bennett 
M. J. Jackson, 
Geo. Cutright 
John W. Abbott 
Nelson Robinson 
Isaac Post 
Daniel Spitler 
Jacob Cutright 
Perry Lorentz 
Thom. Lonchie 
A. C. Queen 
Wm. Cutright 
Elias Heavner 
John Hurst 
Isaac Cutright 
J. L. Smith 
Wm. Sexton 
Joel Casto 
Jacob Lorentz 
Wm. Goodwin 
John Brown 
Job Hinkle 

C. Kiner 
John Deen 

D. D. T. Farnsworth 
Silas Bennett 
Jacob Stealty 

Wm. Beesley 
Josiah Abbott 
Peter Hyre 
Salathiel Cutright 
Jacob A. Hyre 
John G. Jackson 
H. G. Pinnell 
Solomon Suder, alive 

Swamp Run 
Jesse Lemmon 
Jacob M. Hyre 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 



FOR THE COUNTY— Continued. 



Jeremiali Conley, Roane Co. 

Isaac Martin 

Nathaniel CutrigUt 

Adam Carper 

Lemuel Brake 

Geo. Nicholas 

Nathan Hefner 

Isaac White 

Henry O. Middleton 

Richard Fretwell 

A. Poundstone 

K. Hopkins 

Daniel Phipps 

Geo. Basstable 

Levi Black 

Watson Westfall 

Festus Young 

Adam Spitler, physician, 

married Miss Jennie 
A. T. Howe 
John B. Longette 
Geo. W. Houcher, carpenter 
Bushrod Rust, physician 
John Ours 
H. F. Westfall 
Thos. O. Staten 
Abram Reger. 
John J. Burr 



Jonas Martin 

A. W. C. Lemmon 

Geo. Warner 

M. J. Fogg 

C. G. Miller 

Asahel Cutright 

John Maxwell 

Abram Strader 

Elisha Tinney 

A. G. Reader 

Ellas Bennett 

Elijah Johnson 

M. T. Humpfries 

Ezra Morgan 

G. T. Gould 

Washington Summers 

Marshall Lorentz 

Wm. Warner 

Valentine Strader 

Eli F. Westfall 

Richard Philips, father of 
S. B. Philips 

Daniel Sumner, father-in- 
law of Capt. S. B. Phlllit 

Jas. Lemmons 

Abijah Hinkel 

Jacob Rohrbough 

John Davis, blacksmith 



AGAINST THE COUNTY 



Wm. Rude 
John Philips 
Walter Wilson - 
Jasper N. Lorentz 
Sam'l Meakan 
Wm. Holland 
Joshua Morgan 
D. B. Goutel 
John B. Henderson 
Martin Burr 
Wm. A. Gould 
Geo. W. Lorentz 
James Hirshman 
Coonrad Shoulder 



A. Morgan 

C. W. Morgan 

John Key 

Wm. Linger 

Isaac A. Morgan 

L. W. Ferrell 

E. D. Rude 

John S. Thomas 

Jacob Crites 

Joseph Flint 

Wm. Hurshman 

Jonas Smith 

Wm. S. Hlgglnbotham 

Mifnin Lorentz 



We, John Lorentz, deputy for Jacob Lorentz, Sheriff of Lewis county, Adam 
Carper, .\. R. Ireland and Henry F. Westfall, superintendents having been duly 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 



237 



sworn according to law, certify that the foregoing poll, taken at the separate elec- 
tion at Buckhannon on the 4th Thursday in April, 1848, for and against a new 
county, with the county seat at Buckhannon Town, is correct. Given under our 
hands this 27th day of April, 1848. 

John Lorentz, D. S. for J. Lorentz, S. L. C. 
Adam Carper, A. R. Ireland, Henry F. Westeall. 

I, Watson Westfall, appointed by John Lorentz, deputy for Jacob Lorentz, 
sheriff of Lewis county, and being duly sworn by him according to law, certify 
that the foregoing poll, taken at the separate election at Buckhannon Town, for 
and against a new county, as above described, with the county scat at Buckhannon 
Town, on the 4th Thursday of April, 1848. Given under my hand, etc., 

Watson Westfall, 
A Copy Teste : John Morrow, Clk. L. C. C. 

BEECH TOWN. 

For and against the new county out parts of Lewis, Harrison and Randolph, 
with the county seat at Buckhannon Town : 

FOR THEM LIVING WITHIN THE BOUNDS : 
AGAINST THE COUNTY 



Ebenezer Leonard, Jr. 
John Pringle 
David Bennett 
Elijah Phillips 
John Smith 
Gillett Young 
George Lowden 
George H. Wilson 
George H. Anderson 
Anson Young 
Harrison Wingrove, i 
Simon P. Young 
Adam P. Rusmisel 
John Duglass 
Thomas W. Vincent 
Ezekiel Townsend 



Jasen Loomis 
mond Sprini 
David Waggy 
Henry Jones 
John McCoy 
Franklin 
Benjamin Mills 
Robert McAvoy ^ 
Edwin Philips 
Peter Flesher 
Benjamin Gould 



alive, Dia- 
Kan. 



George Armstrong 
Jonathan Heafner 
Thomas Rexroad 
John T. Vincient 
William Propts 
Jothan Bell 
Israel P. Young 
Taylor Townsend ' 
James McAvoy - 
Amos Brooks 
Noah WinemlUer 
L. T. Rude 
Jared M. Armstrong 
George Talbert 
Isaac Wilson • 
John Armstrong 
George Dean 
John Wilson ' 
Caleb Smith 
Nimrod S. Brake 
David T. Tolbert 
John D. Simons 
James Curry, sr. ■ 
William Henderson 
Rice W. Vincent 
Henry Winemiller 
Peter L. Smith 



238 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

FOR THE COUNTY 

Samuel T. Talbert Alfeus H. Upton 

Elbridge Burr William M. Childers 

David S. Haselden 

THOSE THAT RESIDE OUT OF THE PROPOSED NEW COUNTY: 

AGAINST THE COUNTY 

Henry D. Hardman John S. Hall - 

John Wilson • David Hall ■ 

Peter Harper Nicholas Linger 

Abraham R. Hall - Robert Johns 

FOR THE COUNTY 
Charles West 

We, Alonzo A. Lorentz, deputy for Jacob Lorcntz. sheriff of Lewis county, 
and Amos Brooks and Taylor Townsend, superintendents having been duly sworn 
according to law, certify that the foregoing poll, taken at the separate election at 
Beech Town on the 4th Thursday in Apri*, 1848, for and against the new county, 
is correct and true. Given under our hands this 27th day of April, 1848. 

A. A. Lorentz, D. S. for J. Lorentz, S. L. C. 

Amos Brooks. 

I, L. T. Rude, apointed by Alonzo A. Lorentz, deputy for Jacob Lorentz, 
sheriff of Lewis county, and duly sworn by him according to law, certify that the 
foregoing poll taken at Back Town for and against the new county, on the 4th 
Thursdav in April, 1848, is just and true. Given under mv hand this 27th day 
of April,' 1848. ' L. T. Rude. 

A Copy Teste: John Morrow, Clk. 

The law governing the voting, one of the preliminary antecedents to peti- 
tioning the General Assembly, being complied with, four separate petitions were 
prepared and circulated, were generally signed and sent to Jonathan I\L Bennett, 
delegate-elect of Lewis county, to present to the annual session of the General 
Assembly. On December 20, 1849, Mr. Bennett presented the first petition, 
which was renewed by another of January 3, 1850, and another of January 8, 
1850, and still another on January 24, 1850. With the introduction of these 
petitions Mr. Bennett immediately received letters from his neighbors at home 
protesting against his action toward the formation of the new county, and in 
order to hold his friends, on January 26, 1850, he introduced into the General 
Assembly a strong memorial of the citizens of the county of Lewis, principally 
of the town of Weston, remonstrating against the formation of the new county 
out of parts of Lewis, Barbour and Randolph. This remonstrance prayer or pe- 
tition, on motion of Mr. Bennett, was then and there laid on the table. 

In the senate the petitions for the new county were placed in the hands of 
Mr. Jones of Chesterfield, who presented them to that body on January 21. 1850, 
and asked for an immediate report to the senate from the committee to which it 
was referred. One month and four days afterwards the committee on proposi- 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. . 239 

tions and grievances of the senate made its report, which said : "That they have, 
according to order, had under consideration the petitions and documents of citi- 
zens of the counties of Lewis, Randolph and Barbour, to them referred, praying 
the estabhshment of a new county of a portion of each of said counties, accord- 
ing to certain boundar>- hues in said petition described with the seat of justice 
in Buckhannon Town in the county of Lewis ; whereupon. Resolved, as the opin- 
ion of this committee. That the prayer of said petitioners be rejected for irreg- 
ularity in proceedings and insufficiency of notice." 

The insufficiency of notice here meant was the violation of the staute which 
requires a notice of 'at least sixty days next preceding the annual election to be 
posted at the front door of court house of the counties from which the new 
county is proposed to be formed, which notice shall set forth the names of such 
counties, the metes and bounds proposed for the new county, and the place at 
which it is proposed to establish the seat of justice. It also lacked the affidavit 
of such notice, and its posting, which was required to be made to the sheriff of 
every county from which the new county is proposed to be formed. Another 
reason for the rejection of the petition was the irregularity, that the caption of 
the poll books did not contain the metes and bounds which was required by the 
third section of this chapter of the Virginia code. Thus the first attempt to form 
the new county was destined to defeat, and was disposed of regularly and by par- 
limentarv usages on Alarch 15, 1850, by a motion from Mr. Bennett in the house, 
bringing' up the question and insisting upon a vote, which was taken— the deter- 
mination being negatively. , , • r 
Hope was only deferred by this action, for at the regular annual election of 
the delegate on the fourth Thursday of April, 1850, those citizens favorable to 
the new county supported with might and main Samuel Hays, who was in sym- 
pathy with their efforts. Air. Hays was elected. 

The first Monday in December being the day fixed by law for the opening 
of the annual session' of the General Assembly of Virginia, that day in the year 
1850 was December second, and as usual in legislative bodies the first day was 
taken up with the organization of the two houses— no other business was done. 
At the morning session of the third of December Mr. Hays began to make good 
his promise by presenting petitions of citizens of Barbour, Lewis and Randolph 
for the formation of a new county. Nothing more was heard of the new county 
movement until after the holiday vacation. 

Meanwhile the enthusiastic supporters of the new county around Buck- 
hannon Town had a public meeting and decided to send a helper, more properly 
called a lobbyist, to Richmond. Clinton G. Miller, lately a resident of Buck- 
hannon Town, formerly of Augusta county, Virginia, on account of his wide 
acquaintance and thorough knowledge of the public men at the State House in 
Richmond, was chosen and ordered in behalf of the petitioners to go to Richmond 
and assist Mr. Hays in getting immediate action of the General Assembly on 
the act for the formation of the new county. No doubt some money was pro- 
vided for Mr. Miller's expenses by the people who sent him there, and we are 
told that a Mr. Joe Houser, as part of his contribution, furnished the horse 
which was to carry Mr. Miller to Richmond and back. 

Mr. Jones on January 28, 185 1, introduced into the senate a bill to create 
Upshur county. This bill was the same as that introduced into the lower house 
by Mr. Hays.' The act of the General Assembly establishing Upshur county, as 
passed by the senate March 26, 1851, is as follows: 



240 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

Chapter 36. — An act to establish the county of Upshur out of parts of the 
counties of Randolph, Barbour and Lewis. 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That so much of the counties of 
Randolph, Barbour and Lewis as is contained within the following boundarj' 
lines, to-wit : Beginning at a rock or milestone on the Staunton and Parkersburg 
turnpike road, ten miles east of Weston, in Lewis county, running thence a 
straight line to the head of Saul's Run, a branch of Finks* Run ; thence to the 
incuth of Pringle"s fork of Stone Coal creek; thence up said fork to the forks 
of said fork; thence with the ridge dividing the waters of said forks to their 
headwaters, and with said ridge to the head of French creek above Taylor Town- 
send's farm ; thence to the mouth of Cherry camp fork of the little Kanawha 
river, thence to the mouth of the Bufifalo fork of said river to the Bra.xton county 
line, and with said line to the head of the right hand fork of said river; thence 
to the three forks of the right hand fork of Buckhannon river; thence to the 
head nearest branch of Middle Fork river ; thence down said river to the fording 
where the road leading from Teter's on the Valley river to House's mill on the 
Buckhannon river, crosses said Middle Fork; thence to the fording of the Buck- 
hannon river, at or near Henry Jackson's ; thence to Michael Strader's on Peck's 
Run, including said Strader's ; thence with the ridge dividing the waters of the 
main Peck's Run from the waters of the branch on which Colonel John Reger 
now resides ; thence with said ridge so as to divide the waters of Peck's Run 
from Big Run to Gnatty Creek mountain ; thence to the mouth of the run on 
-which John Low resides, so as to include all the waters of said run to Peel Tree 
mountain, thence running west to the Harrison county line ; thence with said 
line to a stone standing on the line of Lewis and Harrison counties and on the 
dividing line between Lost creek, Rooting creek and Jesse's Run ; thence a 
straight line to the mouth of Rover's Run, a branch of Hacker's creek and thence 
to the beginning shall form one distinct and new county, and be called and known 
by the name of Upshur county. 

Second — The boundary line of said county of LTpshur as above designated 
shall be run and in pursuance of the 47th chapter and 7th section of the Code of 
Virginia, and the surveyors shall proceed to run and mark said boundary lines 
within one month after the court of said Upshur count}- shall have appointed a 
surveyor. 

TiiirtJ — The powers and duties of the courts and officers of the counties of 
Randolph, Barbour and Lewis, from which the said county of Upshur is formed, 
shall discharge all the respective duties in said counties as is provided for in the 
9th, loth and nth sections of the 47th chapter of Code of Virginia; Provided, 
that nothing therein shall be so construed as to authorize the courts or officers 
•of the several counties aforesaid to lay or collect any county levy or other public 
dues for the present year within the prescribed boundaries of said new county. 

Fourth — The governor shall commission as justices of peace twelve persons 
in and for the said county of Upshur, all of whom shall, before entering upon 
and exercising any of the duties of said office, take the several oaths now re- 
quired by law of persons commissioned as justices of peace, which oaths may 
be administered by any justice of peace remaining in commission in and for 
either of the counties of Randolph, Barbour and Lewis, who shall grant a certifi- 
cate to the justice qualified, to be recorded in the clerk's office of the county of 
Upshur. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 241 

Fifth — The court for the county of Upshur shall be holden on the first 
Thursday after the third Monday of every month, and the court of quarterly 
sessions shall be holden in the months of March, June, August and November 
in each year, and the permanent place for holding the courts of said county shall 
be in the town of Buckhannon. 

The justices of the peace commissioned and qualified as aforesaid shall meet 
at the house, now the residence of Andrew Poundstone, in the town of Buckhan- 
non. on the first Thursday after the third ]\Ionday in April next, and, a majority 
of them being present, shall proceed to appoint a clerk of the county court, and 
such other officers as are now required by law, shall nominate suitable persons 
as sheriff and coroner, to be commissioned as such by the governor, and shall 
fix upon a place in said town for holding the courts until the public buildings 
shall be erected. 

Seventh — The county court of the county of Upshur, at its first meeting, 
shall make an order summoning all the justices of the peace in and for said county 
to meet at the succeeding term for the purpose of procuring a lot of land in the 
town of Buckhannon on which to erect the public buildings, as required by the 
first section of the fifteen chapter of the Code of Virginia. 

Eighth — The superior court of the county of Upshur shall be holden on the 
seventeenth day of June and the seventeenth clay of November in each year, and 
shall be attached to the same judicial circuit as the county of Lewis. 

Ninth — The county of Upshur for all purposes of representation, shall be 
attached to the same district as the county of Lewis, and also to the regiment 
in the said county. 

Tenth — The treasurers of the school commissioners in the several counties 
out of which the county of L^pshur is formed are required to pay to the com- 
missioners of said county such sums of money arising out of the school quota 
agreeably to the respective numbers of whites tithables takes from each. 

Eleventh — This act shall be in force from its passage. 

The incident of naming the new county was peculiarly a political movement, 
arising out of the necessity for more votes to pass the act. Mr. Hays and Mr. 
Jones, the champions of the bill in the lower and upper houses, were conscious 
of the great hold that the lamented Abel P. Upshur had upon the people of lower 
Virginia. Many indifferent delegates and senators were warm friends of his 
and would do anything honorable tending to perpetuate his name. So as to 
make the new county movement stronger and more popular the name Upshur 
was inserted in the bill. This action caught his life-long friends, who regarded 
their support then as a compliment to this excellent neighbor, friend and states- 
man, and made them think that the establishment of the county would be a mon- 
ument to his life. 

BIOGRAPHY OF ABEL P. UPSHUR. 

He was born in Northampton county, Virginia, on the 17th day of June, 
1790, was educated at the College of New jersey, read law in the office of William 
Wirt, in the city of Richmond, where, in the year 1810, at the age of twenty years, 
he was admitted to the bar. Here he successfully practiced his profession until 
1824, when he returned to his native county, which, in 1826, he had the honor 
to represent in the General Assembly. 

The same year he was appointed a judge of the general court of \"irginia, 
and in 1829 was made a member of the convention which framed the celebrated 



242 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

constitution of 1830. Under it he sat upon the Supreme bench until 1841, when 
he entered the cabinet of President Harrison as Secretary of the Navy. In 
1843, John Tyler, who had succeeded to the presidency upon the death of Har- 
rison, transferred him to the Department of State, and in his stead, in the Navy 
Department, placed Thomas W. Gilmer, of Virginia. 

It was on the 28th day of February, 1844, that an excursion from Wash- 
ington to Mount Vernon took place. The steamer was the Princeton, one of 
the finest vessels in the American navy. She had just arrived home from an 
extended cruise in foreign waters, and was armed with the celebrated Paixhan 
guns. About noon, having on board the President, his cabinet, many members 
of Congress, and others, to the number of five hundred, she steamed down the 
Potomac to the place of destination, where after a few hours sojourn amid the 
beautiful scenery, the party re-embarked. The big gun on the forecastle was 
heavily loaded to give a parting salute to the shades of the illustrious dead repos- 
ing there. The Secretary of the Navy gave the order to discharge the gun, the 
match was applied and the gun burst into a thousand fragments. The report 
died away in long echoes along the shores of the Potomac, the smoke was wafted 
along by the breeze, and Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of State; Thomas W. Gil- 
mer, Secretary of the Navy ; Virgil Ma.xey, late United States Minister to Bel- 
gium ; Colonel Gardener, member of Congress from New York ; Commander 
Kennon, and several others, were still in death. Thomas H. Benton, United 
States Senator from Missouri, and Captain Stockton were severely wounded. 

It will be noticed that the second section of the aforesaid act provides for a 
survey of the new county of Upshur. The chapter and section of the code of 
Virginia herein mentioned deals with the manner in which said survey shall be 
made. According to the law of the code of Virginia the commission of sur- 
veyors shall consist of the surveyor of each county out of which the new county 
is formed, and the surveyor of the new county of Upshur. A Mr. Wilson, county 
survey of Barbour county ; a Mr. Logan, county surveyor of Randolph county, 
and James Bennett, county surveyor of Lewis county, and L. L. D. Loudin, the 
surveyor appointed by the court of Upshur county for the new county of Upshur, 
composed the commission of surveyors. This commission did its work in 1851 
or 1852. The only known living member of this surveying party is Honorable 
O. B. Loudin, who now lives on the head waters of Sugar Creek of Turkey Run. 
He infonns us that he was employed as a helper and subordinate, and knows that 
the work was done in one of these years. In compliance with the third section, 
the Governor commissioned in and for the said county of L^pshur the following 
Justices of Peace : Adam Spitlcr, Simon Rohrbough, George Bastable, James T. 
Hardman, Jacob Lorentz, Daniel Bennett, K. Hopkins, George Clark and John 
W. Marple. These gentlemen, in their official capacity, met at the house of 
Andrew Poundstone, in the town of Buckhannon, on the first Thursday after 
the third Monday in April, 185 1. They appointed as clerk of the court, Miflin 
Lorentz. John Reger was then recommended to his excellency, the Governor, 
as a very suitable person to be commissioned High Sheriff of the county, and 
Stewart Bennett was nominated as Commissioner of the Revenue. Then and 
there the county court proceeded to comply with that section of the act which 
required them to fix upon a place, in said town of Buckhannon, for holding 
the courts until the public building can be erected. A committee of three, con- 
sisting of Messrs, Spitler, Rohrbough. and Bastable were appointed as a com- 
mittee to secure a suitable lot upon which to erect the public building. .After the 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 243 

transaction of miscellaneous business, incident to the formation of a new county, 
the court adjourned. 

CIRCUIT COURT PROCEEDINGS. 

The first Circuit Court for Upshur county was held on the seventeenth day 
of June, 1851. The temple of justice was the dwelling house of Andrew Pound- 
stone, in the town of Buckhannon, it having been designated by the court as the 
place for holding its sessions until the erection of the county building. High 
Sheriff John Reger opened the court with the usual audible proclamation, with 
Hon. George H. Lee, judge of the twenty-second circuit of Virginia, on the 
bench. The first entries in the records of the term are as follows : "The Court 
doth appoint George W. Miller clerk of this Court to perform all the duties of 
said office according to law, and t otake all the fees and emoluments thereof, and 
by law provided." Mr. Miller now appeared in court, and together with his 
neighbors, A. M. Bastable, William Sexton, Leonard L. D. Loudin, Clinton G. 
Miller, D. D. T. Famsworth, David Bennett, and Miflin Lorentz as his bondsmen, 
"entered into a bond in the penalty of $8,000, condition as law directs." Judge 
Lee appointed Matthew Edmiston, of Lewis ounty, father of Honorable Andrew 
Edmiston, of the same county, State's Attorney for the time being. William 
A. Harrison, Caleb Boggess, Jr., Matthew Edmiston, John McWhorter, William 
D. Williams, Benjamin Wilson, George W. Berlin, Richard L. Brown, Samuel 
Crane, Uriah M. Turner and Robert Irvine were admitted to practice in this 
court. The first commissioners of chancery of Upshur county Circuit Court 
were Alvin M. Bastable and Richard L. Brown. They were appointed by the 
court at this term. Gibson J. Butcher, on motion of Chief Circuit Clerk George 
W. Miller, was permitted to qualify as deputy circuit clerk. 

Second day, June 18, 1581.— Daniel Goff, Edwin Maxwell and Benjamin 
Bastable were admitted to practice in this court, and Miflin Lorentz was qualified 
as second deputy circuit clerk. The first civil case ever tried in the county was then 
called. It was an action of debt in which Thos. S. Pri mand Thos. B. Curtis were 
plaintiffs and Isaac W. Simons was defendant. The defendant came into court 
without counsel and confessed judgment in the sum of $1,077.77. The declara- 
tion of the plaintiff set up a debt of only $421.20. This discrepancy, at this day 
and date, is explicable on the grounds that Prim and Curtis in their declaration 
claimed that Isaac W. Simons had notes and accounts as offsets which he (Simons) 
had not. 

The first grand jury of Upshur county was impaneled at this session of the 
court. Then as now they sat as a jury of inquest and inquiry for the protection 
of the body politic of Upshur county. The grand jurors were: Alvin M. Basta- 
ble, foreman ; Tilletson Janney, Clinton G. Miller, Daniel D. T. Farnsworth, 
George Ambrose, John Lewis, John L. Smith, Elias Bennett, David Bennett, 
Lewis Karickhoff, William E. Basley, Henry Reger, David Haselden, Wilson M. 
Haymond, Archibald Hinkle, and O. B. Loudin. The clerk swore them, the 
judge instructed them, they retired to consider of their presentments after hear- 
ing the witnesses before them. They returned into court and presented six true 
bills of indictment. Of these sixteen sovereign citizens eligible to serve as grand 
jurors of the first circuit coiurt of Upshur, but one is still alive — he is the last 
named on the above list. He informs us that the first circuit court on June 17, 
185 1, opened its session in the street near where Main street crosses Kanawha 
street, but soon thereafter the county officials made arrangements to hold the 
remainder of the term in the dwelling house of Andrew Poundstone. 



244 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

JUDGES OF THE CIRCUIT COURT. 

The judges of the Upshur County Circuit Court in the past half-centur\' have 
been few but were some of the ablest and most illustrious lawyers of West Vir- 
ginia. The first judge was George H. Lee, who held his first term on June 17, 
185 1, at the house of Andrew Poundstone. On the Chancery side of the court the 
only order recorded was the appointment of T. ^I. Bastable. R. L. Brown, and 
Jacob Lorentz, Commissioners of Chancery. The same Judge held the second 
term on November 17, 1851, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the dura- 
tion of this court was the same as the one preceding and the one followmg, namely, 
two days. 

Gideon D. Camden became Judge in 1852 and served in that capacity until 
1861. During the tenure of his office David McComas, Judge of the Ninth Judi- 
cial Circuit and Edward P. Pitts, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, held a term 
each for him. The court held its sessions after the court house fire of September 
8, 1855, in the Baptist Church. 

William A. Harrison was the next Judge of the Circuit Court of Upshur 
county, and he was succeeded by Robert Irvine, who held his first court in this 
county on September 15, 1863. The caption of the Chancery order book among 
other things, says: "And in the first year of the state." He served until 1873, 
holding his last term in this county October 19, 1872. 

John Brannon began his term of Judgeship in 1873 and ended it with 
December, 1880. 

Henry Brannon now of the Supreme Court of West Virginia, was Judge 
of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit for eight years, from January, 1881, until 
Januan-, 1889. While he was on the bench Robert F. Fleming, of the Sixth Ju- 
dicial Circuit, held two terms for him. 

W. G. Bennett began his term of Judgeship January i, 1889, and ended it 
with January i, 1905, when J. C. McWhorter succeeded him as Judge of the 
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. 

CIRCUIT CLERKS OF UPSHUR. 

The Circuit Court of the county, formerly sometimes called the Superior 
Court, has had clerks as follows: 

George Miller, 1851 ; Andrew Poundstone, 1861 ; Jacob Waugh, 1866; John 
L. Hurst, 1873 ; John A. Hess, 1879 ! C. W. Heavener, 1902 ; A. J. Zickefoose, 
1903. 

LAWYERS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN UPSHUR. 

The majority of lawyers who have practiced at the bar of the Circuit Court 
of Upshur county were non-residents and includes in its list many who have 
achieved reputations extending beyond the state. 

Following is a list of lawyers with the date when the name of each first ap- 
peared on the court records : 

1851. William A. Harrison, Caleb Boggess, Jr., Matthew Edmiston, John 
McWhorter, William D. Williams, Benjamin Wilson, George W. Berlin. Richard 
L. Brown, Samuel Crane, Uriel M. Turner, Robert Ervin, David Goff. Edwin 
Maxwell, Benjamin Bassell, William E. Arnold, Benjamin W. Byrne. George 
J. Arnold, John Brannon, Burton Despard, Gideon D. Camden, E. S. Duncan, 
Jonathan M. Bennett. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 245 

1852. Spencer Dayton, Albert G. Reger, John S. Carlisle, Matthew W. Har- 
rison, Lewis Maxwell, Edgar M. Davisson, John S. Huffman. 

1854. John S. Fisher, Frederick Berlin, Robert Johnson, William C. Car- 
per, Samuel Woods, Enoch Withers. 

1855. George W. Duvall, Charles S. Lewis, Nathan S. Taft, H. G. Pinnell. 

1856. James B. McLain, E. B. Hall. - 

1857. John N. Hughes, Camden Goff, Homer A. Holt. 

1858. W. H. Gibson, G. H. Smith, Gideon D. Camden, Jr., Douglas M. Bai- 
ley, Morris Taylor. 

1859. Richard W. Barton. 
i860. James E. IMiddleton. 
1862. Thomas W. Harrison. 

1865. James William Dunnington. W. G. L. Totten, Alexander C. Moore, 
David H. Lilly. 

1866. George Cozad, Alexander M. Poundstone, Joseph A. Thompson, T. 
B. Taylor, William D. Hoff, George R. Latham. 

1871. Louis Bennett. 

1873. Clinton G. Rapp, George E. Bennett, Albert G. Reger, Henry Bran- 
non, Coleman C. Higginbotham, L. D. Strader, Stark W. Arnold. 
1875. C. J. P. Cresap. 

1877. B. L. Butcher, Tames Woodzell, C. W. Rohrbough, Shelton L. Reger, 

1878. Claudius Goff."A. G. Dayton. 

1879. A. C. Moore, Thomas A. Bradford, William Dawson Talbot, Leland 
Kittle. E. T. Somerville. 

1880. W. W. Brannon, F. C. Pifer. 

i88r. John M. Brake, G. M. Fleming, Miflin Lorentz, A. L. Hustead, 

Cyrus H. Scott. 

1882. Samuel A. Miller, Eugene Lutz. 

1883. George H. Moffatt, A. F. Havmond, C. F. Teter. 

1884. C. P. Snvder, George C. Cole,' C. P. Dorr. 

1885. F. J. Baxter, i\L T. Frame. 

1886. T. H. Brown, John J. Davis. 

1887. Melville Peck. 

1888. G. W. Smith, W. H. Fisher, U. G. Young. 

1889. D. W. Gall. R. F. Kidd, S. A. Hays, A. T- Salsberrv. 

1890. E. D. Talbott, W. S. Stuart, W. L. Kee, W. L. G. Corlev. 

1891. C. W. Lvnch. 

1892. W. S. O'Brien. 

1893. T- D. Ewing. 

1894. J. C. McWhorter, W. B. Nutter. J. Frank Wilson. ' 

1895. Samuel V. Woods, C. J. Poe. 

1896. Tames M. Morris, F. O. Blue, Floyd J. Strader. 

1897. W. T. Talbott, Charles W. Murphv, Ralph W. Heavner, W. B. Kit- 
tle, W. T. George. 

1898. J. M. Foster, J. B. Bennett, W. B. Cutright. 

1899. M. H. King. 

1900. Clay N. Pew. 

1901. J. il. N. Downes, Lyman Cutright. 

1902. Carry C. Hines, E. G. Rider, Lee Roy See, J. Russell Trotter. 



246 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

1903. P. J. Crogan, Will E. Morris. 

1904. L. H. Barnett, A. L. Holt, Claude S. Phillips, M. B. Morris, R. F. 
Kidd, J. M. Hamilton, R. G. Linn, H. Roy Waugh, John W. Davis, H. C. 
Thurmond, Alex Dulin, E. B. Carlin, L. H. Kelley. 

1905. J. W. F. Stone, Osman E. Swartz, John T. Cooper, Roy Reger, 
Jake Fisher, Haze Morgan, Thomas Jefferson Peddicord. 

1906. B. P. Hall, A. G. Hughes, O. W. O. Hardman, E. A. Bowers, Ira 
E. Robinson, James Ewing. 

COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEYS. 

Matthew, Edminston, 1851; George W. Berlin, 1852; John S. Fisher, 1856; 
Nathan S. Taft, 1861 ; A. M. Poundstone, 1867; W. G. L. Totten, 1877; Stark 
W. Arnold, 1881 ; A. M. Poundstone, 1885; W. D. Talbot, 1889; W. B. Nutter, 
1901 ; H. Roy Waugh, 1905. 

CONSTABLH^ OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

In the compilation of the list of constables no regard is given to classification 
by districts. At first they were appointed by the County Court. They have al- 
ways depended upon fees for their pay and the emoluments of the office were 
usually small. Their duty with limitations was similar to the duty of the sheriff; 
but for the same work they received smaller fees. There were always persons 
willing to fill this office. Names of Constables by years follow : 

185 1. Gilmer F. Sines, William Hirschman, George F. Cooper, James Kes- 
ling, William Loudin, Alfred D. Woodley, Jacob Rohrbough, James Lemmons, 
John O. Core, David D. Casto, W. N. Gillum, Jacob Cutright, Wm. L. Anderson, 
Adam C. Shrieve, Jacob Kesling, Bolivar Hanks. 

1852. M. J. Fogg, John O. Core. Garland T. Ferrill, David Little, William 
Henman, C. P. Rohrbough, A. D. Woodley. James Q. Harvey. 

1854. John O. Core, James Q. Harvey, G. W. Ratliflf, Charles S. Haynes, 
Adam C. Shrieve. M. J. Fogg, Granville Marple. 

i8s6. James Q. Harvev, John L. Oueen, A. D. Woodier, G. W. Ratliff, 
Adam C. Shrieve, C. S. Haynes. M. J. Fogg. 

1858. Morgan A. Darnall, James Q. Harvey, M. J. Fogg. 

i860. David J. Brake, Isaac Wamsley, James P. Curry. L. L. D. Loudin, 
John W. Rohrbough, T. S. Heavner. 

1863. Thaddeus S. Heavner. Jacob W. Lorentz. D. J. Brake, Job Ward, 
Edward J- Brown, Calvin L. Cutright, Nimrod D. Foster, Gideon H. Wilson, 
Martin Westfall. 

1865. David J. Brake, John Ward, Issac N. Kesling, Geo. W. Currence, 
T. S. Heavner, Elmor Brake, Gideon H. Wilson, Wm. W. Warner, Wirt Phillips. 
John W. Rohrbough. 

1867 Lewis Sutton, Geo. H. Clark. Samuel Karickhoff, Adam Mick. ^^'. 
R. Lowe, Geo. W. Currence, Stillman Young, Perry Talbott, Wm. B. Goodwin, 
Wayne Love. 

1870. Wm. A. McNulty, C. W. Hart, Jonathan Hefner, L. J. B. Smith, 
Joseph H. Elbon, Thomas Jack. Abram Bennett, Martin Queen. 

1872. Isaac Carter. 

1874. Geo. W. Stewart. 

1876. Wm. C. Gum, W. R. Lowe, Caswell E. Brady, Anderson Smallridge, 
J. S. Windell, Francis Reeder, D. W. Armstrong, John M. A. Jackson. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 247 

1878. D. M. Reed, Elijah Goodwin. 

1880. J. J. Trussler, J. L. Sandridge, J. C. Brady, W. S. Harper, O. A. 
Mosby, Joseph C. Bailey, G. M. Heavner, Philip Reger, James McAvoy, Gran- - 
ville Warner, Hiram Piles. 

1882. Hiram Piles. A. J. Hoffman. 

1884 Wm. H. Hillery, David Strader, J. J. Moss, A. M. Tenney, Jr., 
Josiah Martin, J. W. Windle, Adolphus Sharps, Anderson Smallridge, C. P. 
Tallman, Jesse Sandridge, T. E. Kidd, J. M. A. Jackson. 

1888. W. K. Findley. A. C. Cutright, J. N. Shaw, A. M. Curry, J. A. 
Smallridge, David Phillips, J. J. Moss, M. Osburn, C. P. Tallman, J. H. Griffith, 
Gideon Marple, I. M. Hartman. 

1890. J. M. Shiimaker, J. S. Kesling. 

1892. L. D. Rollins, Phillip Reger, David Phillips, A. D. Cutright, S. S. 
Moore, Sol Williams, David Maher, Silas Gooden, L. M. Dean, C. P. Tallman, 
I. N. Hartman, Gran. Reynolds. 

1894. E. C. Young, R. B. Lynch, G. H. Spiker. 

1896. W. A. McNulty, Davton Cutright, E. V. Brown, T. J. Newcome, 
R. B. Rexroad, W. E. Haynes. J. S. Quick, John W. Bailey, Noah Messman, 
C. P. Tallman, Thomas Post, Simon Hickman. 

iqoo. B. F.Malone, A. L. Reese, T. J. Newcome, A. B. Simon, G. M. 
Warner, M. V. Lance, Lloyd Miller, J. J. Moss, W. E. Haynes, R. B. Rexroad, 
J. H. Shipman, Austin Smith. 

1902. B. M. Riggleman. 

1904. G. A. Smith, U. G. Black, Sydney E. Phillips, Warren Haynes, 
A. B. Simon, George Hasaflook, Willie Norman, Noah Messman, Sanford 
Wentz, T. J. Newcome, A. L. Reese. 

1906. Harry Jenkins, G. L. Crites, E. L. Coburn. 

SUPERVISORS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

1863. Thomas J. Farnsworth, Ormsby B. Loudin, Cyrus R. Wiches, Gran- 
ville D. Marple, Lare Dean, Jared Armstrong, George Clark in '64 in place of 
C. R. Wiches. 

1864. O. B. Loudin, G. D. Marple, Benjamin Gould, Jared Armstrong, 
Marshall L. Rohrbough, Lare Dean. 

1865. O. B. Loudin, Lare Dean, G. D. Marple, Marshall L. Rohrboubh, 
Benjamin Gould, John W. Wilson. 

1866. Andrew Poundstone, O. B. Loudin, Solomon Day, John W. Wilson, 
Adam Rohrbough, Watson M. Bunten. 

1867. John J. Reger, O. B. Loudin, Lare Dean, Solomon Day, Elbridge 
Burr, John W. Wilson. 

1868. O. B. Loudin, Lare Dean, Elbridge Burr, Solomon Day, John J. 
Reger, John W. Wilson. 

1869. John J. Reger, O. B. Loudin. Solomon Day, C. B. Mayo, Jared Arm- 
strong. Elbridge Burr. 

1870. O. B. Loudin, Thomas J. Farnsworth, Benjamin Gould, Jared M. 
Armstrong, Solomon Day, C. B. Mayo. 

1871. O. B. Loudin, John J. Reger. C. B. Mayo, Solomon Day, George W. 
Simon, Isaac W. Vincent. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

1872. O. B. Loudin, Andrew Poundstone, B. F. Armstrong, Isaac VV. Vi 
, Nicholas Ours, Ashley Gould. 



1881, 

1885 



1893, 
1895, 
1896, 
1897, 
1898, 
1900 
1902 
1904, 
1906. 



Ashley Gould. 

COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY COURT. 

O. B. Loudin, B. F. Armstrong, and Ashley Gould. 
O. B. Loudin, Ashley Gould, and L. D. Casto. 
O. B. Loudin, L. D. Casto, and O. W. Bunner. 
91. O. B. Loudin, O. W. Bunner, and J. W. Morrison. 
O. W. Bunner, J. W. Morrison, and A. W. C. Lemmons. 
A. W. C. Lemmons, J. W. Morrison, and Joseph S. Reger. 
J. S. Reger, J. W. Morrison, and Granville Teter. 
J. S. Reger, Granville Teter, and R. A. Darnall. 
J. S. Reger, R. A. Darnall, and Granville Teter. 
R. A. Darnall, Granville Lanham, and J. S. Reger. 
R. A. Darnall, Granville Lanham, and W. M. Day. 
W. M. Day, Granville Lanham, and G. A. Fitzgerald. 
G. A. Fitzyerald, Granville Lanham, and W. P. Crites. 

SHERIFES OF UPSHUR COUNTV. 



Col. John Reger, 1851 ; Tobias Hopkins; 1852; Washington Summers, 1856; 
Geo. Bastable, i8'^58: Alva Teeter, i860; Levi Leonard, 1864; T. S. Heavner, 
1868 ; Jacob W. Heavner, 1869 ; C. F. Ridgway, 1877 ; Granville D. Marple, 1881 ; 
J. J. Morgan, 1885 ; Walter Phillips, 1889 ; Albert J. Maple, 1893 ; W. P. Fowkes, 
1897; A. M. Tenney, 1901 ; H. F. Ours, 1905. 



SURVEYORS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 



L. L. D. Loudin, 1851; W. T. Higginbotham, 1858; Col. Watson Westfall, 
1861; Festus Young, 1864; J. W. Wilson, 1880; Lynn T. Phillips, 1884; John 
V. Tenney, 1892; Joseph C. Smith, 1904. 



COUNTY CLERKS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

Miflin Lorentz, 1851 ; Richard Fretwell, 1866; I. M. Bennett, 1872; C. C. F. 
McWhorter, 1876; J. J. Morgan, 1890; Eugene Brown, 1902. 

HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 

Samuel L. Hayes, 1851 ; Samuel L. Hayes, 1852; Samuel L. Hayes, 1853; 
Washington Summers, 1854; W. C. Carper, 1855; W. C. Carper, 1856; Washing- 
ton Summers, 1857; Richard L. Brown, 1858, 1859; Benjamin Bassell. Sr., i860; 
D. D. T. Farnsworth, 1861 ; R. L. Brooks (resigned), 1862; Jacob Teter, 1863; 
Alva Teter, 1864; David S. Pinnell, 1865; David S. Pinnell, 1866; David S. Pin- 
nell, 1867; David S. Pinnell, 1868; David S. Pinnell, 1869; Thomas G. Farns- 
worth, 1870; A. B. Clark, 1871 ; A. M. Poundstone, 1872 ; Thomas G. Farnsworth, 
1872 ; Thomas J. Farnsworth, 1875 ; Thomas J. Farnsworth, 1877 ; A. M. Pound- 
stone, 1879; David Poe, 1881 ; J. J. Morgan, 1883; J. S. W. Dean, 1885; Still- 
man Young, 1887; Stillman Young, 1889; Stillman Young, 1891 ; A. B. Clark, 




LEVI LEONARD. 

LEVI LEONARD was born ou French Ci-eek, September IG, 1S29. 
He was the sou of earnest Christian parents who came to Virginia 
from Bridgewater, Mass., in 1816. In 1851 Mr. Leonard married Mary 
E. Cooper, from Staunton, Va., who died, leaving a son and a daughter. 
In 1871 Mr. Leonard married Elizabeth Coplin, of Harrison county, W. 
September 22, 1897. He was a man of integrity and honor, whose 
Va. Of this marriage one daughter is still living. He passed away 
influence was always for righteousness, on the side of temperance, 
morality and Christianity. He was actively identified with every 
movement for the development and progress of his county, and was at 
one time sheriff. 



FORAIATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 249 

1893: A. B. Clark, 1895; Henry Colerider, 1897; W. B. Cutright, 1899; W. D. 
Talbott, igoi ; Henry Colerider, 1903 ; Robert A. Reger, 1905 ; J. M. Curry, 1907. 

site; of court piouse. 

The special committee named by the Justices of the Peace at their April 
term for selecting a suitable site for the public buildings of the county, made 
its report on June 19, 1851. The lots selected by this committee were on the 
comer of Locust and Main streets. The Justices were unable to purchase the 
lots of ground near the four selected. This day the Justices of the Peace pur- 
fronting on the Staunton and Parkersburg turnpike road, running north 81 E., 8 
chased of Henr\- F. Westfall two lots of ground in the town of Buckhannon 
poles and 23 links to James Mullins' line and with his line south 9 E. 9 poles to 
a stake, thence S. 81, W. 7 poles and ten links to a stake, thence N. i8>^ W. 9 
poles to the beginning, at the price of $750 ; $2.50 of which to be levied for and 
paid out of the levy for the present year, and the residue in two equal annual 
payments, without interest, said sums to be chargeable to the said county of 
Upshur. 

The said Henry F. Westfall was present in court and consented thereto. 

A committee was then appointed to draft specifications for the court house 
and advertise bids for the building of the same. 

The contract was let to Thos. S. Prim and W. W. Craver, the lowest bidders, 
who gave a bond in the penalty of $10,000 to build the court house according to 
specifications. The bid of the contractors was $7,300. 

Robert Maxwell was made architect of the construction work August 22, 
185 1, the day that the contract was awarded to Prim & Craver. 

The contractors sublet the different parts of the building to individuals in 
and about the county seat. Abraham Reger did the mason work on the founda- 
tion and jail of the old court house. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

After the year 1852 the Justices of the Peace were elected by the people. 
Prior to that time they were appointed by the Governor and held office for life 
if they chose to do so. The following shows the names of the Justices of the 
Peace and the year when they first appeared on the records of the court : 

185 1. Adam Spitler, Simon Rohrbough, George Bastable, James T. Hart- 
man, Jacob Lorentz, David Bennett, Kosciusko Hopkins, George Clark, John M. 
Marple, Willis H. Woodley, A. M. Bastable, David Bennett, Anthony B. See, 
Alva Teter, William Bennett, Wilson M. Havmond, Anson Young, Wm. T. 
Higginbotham, Daniel D. D. T. Farnsworth, Clinton G. Miller, W. W. Foster, 
Elias Bennett. 

1852. Simon Rohrbough, A. M. Bastable, Alva Teter, Elias Bennett, George 
Clark, C. G. Miller, Adam Spitler, Anthony B. See, David Bennett, W. T. Higgin- 
botham, John W- Marple, William Bennett, James T. Hartman, W. W. Foster, 
Willis H. Woodley, Amos Brooks, Anson Young. 

1853. John B. Shreves, James Mullin, Tazewell Marshall, Riley Reger, 
Joseph Flint, George N. Talbot. 

1854. William S. Sumner, Joseph Flint, Gilbert T. Gould, George N. Tol- 
bert, Riley Reger, John W. Marple, John B. Shrieve, Tazewell Marshall, A. M. 



250 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

Bastable, George Clark, Anson Young, Alva Teter, James Mullins, James C. 
Tallman, Silas Bennett, Simon Rohrbough, Watson Westfall, David Bennett. 

1856. John B. Shreve, Watson Westfall, John Lynch, S. Rohrbough, Alva 
Teter, Silas Bennett, John W. Marple, Joseph Flint, A. M. Bastable, Riley Reger, 
Edward J. Colerider, Abram Reger, Erasmus A. Cease, David Bennett, Anson 
Young, Samuel Wilson, Watson Westfall, George Bastable, Alva Teter. 

1858. John N. Loudin. 

1859. David D. Casto. 

i860. Benjamin Tallman, Valentine Hinkle, Jr., J. B. Shreve, S. Rohr- 
bough, Silas Bennett, Joseph Flint, Job Casto, John N. Loudin, Robert Coyner, 
Jr., Riley Reger, David D. Casto, N. H. Hannah, David Bennett, Anson Young, 
Charles S. Haynes, E. A. Cease. 

1861. Noah B. Wamsley, W. B. Goodwin, Elmore Brake, E. D. Boyles. 

1862. Richard Fretwell, J. L. D. Brake. 

1863. Simon Rohrbough, Joseph D. Rapp, John N. Loudin, Jacob L. D. 
Brake, Ashley Gould, Noah B. Wamsley, Valentine Hinkle, Samuel Wilson, 
Elmer Brake, Wm. B. Goodwin. 

1865. David D. Casto, Anson Young, Richard Fretwell, Benjamin Tall- 
man, Job Casto. 

1867. J. D. Rapp, A. B. Clark, Benjamin Conley, Jacob L. D. Dean, Val- 
entine Hinkle, G. D. Marple, Walter Phillips, Charles S. Haynes, Noah B. Wams- 
ley, Ashley Gould, Edward J. Brown, Thomas W. Vincent. 

1873. O. B. Loudin, A. G. Osborne, Daniel Cutright, John N. Loudin, Job 
Casto, M. A. Darnall, Jesse Lemmons, C. S. Haynes, Robert Curry, Nicholas 
Ours, Jr., C. B. Mayo. 

1877. D. D. T. Farnsworth, Jacob Waugh, R. M. Norman, Daniel Cutright, 
R. T. H. Benson, S. D. Jackson, C. W. Gibson, Stillman Young, Wm. Meams, 
Festus Young, H. F. Bryan, L. D. Westfall. 

1880. John W. Hinkle, G. Austin Newlon, R. T. H. Benson, Granville 
Lanham, Jacob Waugh. S. Young, Festus Young, R. M. Norman, C. S. Havnes, 
J. L. D. Brake, William Bean, A. W. Tenney. 

1882. William Loudin, O. F. Hodges, L. D. Westfall. 

1884. William Loudin, S. L. Loudin, O. W. Bunner, G. W. Ratliflf, Still- 
man Young, Wm. Mearns, W. L. Sextton, J. R. Russell, Granville Lanham, G. 
W. Dawson, A. C. Hinkle, J. L. D. Brake. 

1888. John W. Hinkle, S. L. Loudin, L. P. Brooks, R. A. Herring, A. J. 
Gladwell, W. L. Sexton, J. C. Bailev, R. T. H. Benson, Granville Lanham, 
G. W. Dawson, A. C. Hinkle, Adam Mick. 

1892. William Loudin, Dexter W. Cutright, W. L. Sexton, G. A. Fitz- 
gerald, D. M. Reed, A. J. Zickefoose, Thomas Avington, Granville Lanham, 
W. S. Harper, S. B. Gawthrop, A. C. Hinkle, E. S. Queen. 

1896. L. D. Rollins, Daniel Cutright, R. P. Young, C. W. Waid, W .S. 
Harper, Charles Bunner, R. T. H Benson, Lafayette Westfall, Harr>' Jenkins, 
Bezalee Radabaugh, J. L. Casto, A. C. Hinkle. 

1900. L. D. Rollins, Daniel Cutright, C. Waid, G. E. Boseley, J. L. Casto, 
T. P. Dawson, Bezalee Radabaugh, J. W. Miles, G. B. Brown, J. L. Queen, Silas 
Gooden, R. T. H. Benson. 

1906. Silas Gooden, Daniel Pence, L. C. Haymond, G. B. Brown, A. J. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 251 

Gladwell, C. W. Waid, A. C. Hinkle, T. P. Dawson, B. Radabaugh, Luther 
Shreve, James Dailey, L. D. Rollins. 

DIVISION OF COUNTY INTO DISTRICTS. 

On July 31, 1863, the West Virginia Legislature passed an act for the sub- 
dividing of the counties into magisterial districts. To carry out this provision 
of the act, commissioners were appointed in each county of the state. In Upshur 
county, James Kesling, C. S. Haynes, O. B. Loudin and John J. Burr were named 
as commissioners to sub-divide Upshur county into not less than three, nor more 
than ten magisterial districts. The act empowered these commissioners to em- 
ploy the services of a surveyor whose duty it shall be to go with the commis- 
sioners, survey the various proposed districts and make at least two maps to 
accompany the report. One of these maps shall be sent to the Secretary of the 
State and the other shall be recorded in the County Clerk's office. 

Festus Young, of French Creek, was selected by the commissioners to do 
the surveying. 

The commissioners proceeded to the task of surveying the entire county and 
then to sub-dividing it into districts. Their work having been ended, they re- 
ported the sub-division of Upshur into six districts and named them as follows: 

Buckhannon, Banks, Meade, Union, Warren and Washington. 

A short history of the naming of these magisterial districts and the estab- 
lishment of the most important towns, mills, churches, etc., follows : 

The map made by Festus Young, was handed to the County Court in 1869, 
and an order was spread upon the minutes of the court for the recordation of 
the same and the making of a plate of said original map. 

BUCKHANNON DISTRICT. 

Buckhannon district takes its name from the river which makes its eastern 
boundary and the town which still is a part of the district for magisterial and 
civic purposes. It was named by John J. Burr. 

Within this district was located Bush's Fort, sofnetimes called Buckhannon 
Fort, around which lingers many daring adventures during the early days when 
settlements were sought to be established in the Buckhannon valley. At one time 
no less celebrated chieftain than Tecumseh was before the walls of the old Fort. 
In this district also was another strong Indian fort which was erected by the 
settlers in and around the present village of Lorentz. Here also occurred the 
massacre of the Bozarth family. The name of this fort was Jackson and stood 
on the elevated ground near where the palatial residence of Jacob Allman now 
stands. 

The first settlers were Samuel Pringle, John Pringle, William Pringle, John 
Outright and Samuel Oliver. The first improvement was made on Cutright's 
Run, four miles south of the present town of Buckhannon, in the year 1786. 
John Hacker was the first settler, but owing to the fact that the land which he 
had selected was claimed by the Pringles, he removed farther west and built 
his permanent cabin on the head waters of that stream which has ever since 
borne his name and thus he became the first settler in what is now Lewis county. 
Other settlers were John Jackson, Abraham Carper, Jesse Hughes, William 
Hacker, Abraham Brake, William Radcliff, Alexander Sleeth, Thomas Sleeth, 



252 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

John Brake and Joel VVestfall, who came in the first years of the nineteenth 
century. 

The first saw-mill was erected by John Strader and Henry Reger in the year 
1806. It was a small water mill with a tub wheel, grinding some corn. It stood 
on Spruce Run about where the Clevenger residence now is. The second was 
built by John Jackson in 1810 on the present site of the Anchor mill in the town 
■of Buckhannon and cut the race which now makes the Island. It was the first 
frame mill building in the county as well as the best one in the interior of the state 
at that dty. The following year i\lr. Jackson added to his grist mill machinery 
which enabled ihim to saw the timber of his neighbors into building lumber. 
This was the first saw mill in the county. Both were swept away by a violent 
fiood on the 27th day of July, 1837. 

The first portorable steam saw-mill to manufacture lumber for market, was 
brought into this district on the head waters of Cutright's Run in the year 1867, 
by Abraham Hinkle. This mill sawed its first set on the farm now owned by 
Benjamin Allies and sawed its second set on the farm now owned by Anthoney 
Neely, one mile east of the village of Hinkleville. The postoftice at Hinkleville 
was named after the owner of this first portable steam saw mill in the cuunty, 
Abraham Hinkle, who was its founder and used much of the lumber sawed at 
this second set in constructing dwelling house, a country inn or tavern, store 
hou-f^e and stables. 

In the year 1832, Eldridge Burr, Jr., and Martin Burr., erected a grist mill 
in the district outside of the county seat. It was built on the waters of French 
Creek, about a mile from its mouth, and served the people around many years 
with good corn meal. This mill was a water mill, having the old tub wheels 
fed by a deep race which furnished sufficient water not only to run corn burrs, 
but wheat burrs as well and saw-mill. The next water mill built in this district 
was in the year 1848 on Spruce Run by Jacob A. Hyre. This mill is still standing 
near the postoffice of Atlas and is doing trade grinding as it did in the year of 
its prime. The striking feature of this mill is its large wheel which is some 
thirty feet in diameter, the circumference of the wheel is filled with triangular 
Avooden troughs into which pours water from an artificial lake sufficient to give 
momentum and rapidity to the over-shot wheel to do the neighbors' grinding. It 
is owned by Marcellus Reger. The Aaron Ligget grist and .saw water mill on 
the waters of Glady Fork was built by Dr. David Pinnell in 1853. 

Lorentz in this dstrict was the first postoffice in the county, established some 
time prior to the war of 1812 and named after its founder and principal citizen, 
Jacob Lorentz, who for many years kept the only store in the valley and did 
a large mercantile business. In fact his store business was so extensive and 
profitable that for half a century he was regarded as the wealthiest man in all 
these parts. 

The first house erected for the sole purposes of education was built in this 
district in 1790; it was on Glady Fork Run near where Daniel Cutright, Esq., 
now lives. It was a rude cabin of logs ; the roof of clabboards was held in place 
by weight polls ; the floor was mother earth ; a huge fire-place occupied one end, 
while from the other was chopped a log and over the aperture was pasted greased 
paper as a substitute for glass. The seats were constructed by splitting small 
logs in halves, and inserting wooden pins or legs into divergent holes in either 
■end of the oval side, thus leaving the flat side as a seat. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 253 

The churches in this district number seven, and the denominations having 
churches number four. 

Methodist Protestant. — The oldest church outside of the town Buck- 
hannon, is Mt. Pleasant or Philadelphia Chapel, which was first organized about 
the year 1817. It was then a Methodist class, but after the rupture of 1830 and 
formation of the Methodist Protestant denomination, this class built a log church 
at the forks of the road on the hill above the home of Jacob E. Cutright. This 
house served its usefulness and was supplanted by the present one on the present 
site in 1869. Some of the members belonging to this class in this last year 
were Isaac Cutright, Christopher Cutright, William Cutright, William Pringle, 
Jacob Cutright and Joel Pringle. 

The Lorentz, M. P. Church was first built in the year 1837 and was a rude 
structure adapted to the convenience and comfort of those who worshipped 
therein. 

The second M. P. Church at Lorentz was built in 1884, the old one having 
been burned by an incendiary on the same night that President James A. Garfield 
fell a victim of death from Giteau's bullet, July 2, 1881. 

Pleasant Dale Chapel was built in 1865 and was the result of a continued 
anxiety upon the part of a few of the faithful who refused to join the new 
sex or denomination, the Methodist Protestant, in the year 1830 when most 
all of Mt. Pleasant membership affiliated themselves with this new division. For 
some time prior to the building of this church Abraham Strader and Catharine, 
his wife ; Simon Rohrbough and Margaret, his wife ; Frank Boyles, Samuel 
Boyles and some others , thinking the "Old Side" good enough for them, had 
held meetings in Abraham Strader's log laundry, and under the direction of a 
Rev. Powell, had organized the class which brought about the construction of 
the present church on the hill, a mile south from where the pike crosses Cut- 
right's run. 

Reger Chapel. — Reger Chapel was organized and built about the year 1840. 
Philip Reger, Anthony Reger, John J. Reger, and others holding a life belief 
as to church government, set on foot a movement which resulted in the con- 
struction of the first church on the hill near by the home of the late John J. Reger, 
on Brushy Fork. In time the original house became weather beaten, dilapidated, 
rickety, rotten and dangerous, and 1890 a new edifice was built on the site of the 
old church. 

United Brethen. — Mt. Olivet Chapel, one-half mile south of the village 
of Hinkleville, was built in 1868. The leading members of this church were 
Samuel Lane and Elizabeth, his wife ; Enoch Cutright and Catharine, his wife. 
An interesting incident connected with the dedication of Mt. Olivet was the 
presence of Rev. Weaver, who afterwards became one of the strongest and most 
spiritual bishops in the United Brethren Church. 

Rocky Ford Chapel was built in the year 1872. The principal supporters 
of this local church then and now are the families of Daniel Cutright,. Amos 
Cutright, George L. Crites, A. W. C. Lemons and Isaac Lewis. 

Jacob Lorentz was the first blacksmith as well as the first store-keeper in 
the district and county; he lived at the present village of Lorentz. 

James Raines, who lived on the now Widow Taylor farm, opposite Joseph 
E. Newlon dairy farm, was the second blacksmith in the district, doing for 
several years the cobbling for the people at Buckhannon and on Cutright's run. 



254 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

The village of Hampton, on the B. & O. R. R. at the mouth of French Creek, 
was laid ofif by Dr. G. A. Newlon in 1891, and named after his son-in-law, W. 
Hampton Fisher, attorney at the Buckhannon bar. 

The first jeweler in the county was Samuel Meerbach, who came here direct 
from London in the 2o"s, and lived as a hermit a mile south of the postoffice of 
Ivanhoe, most generally called Hampton. 

MEADE DISTRICT. 

George Gordon Meade was born at Cadiz, Spain, December 30, 1815. He 
was raised in the society and atmosphere of the United States Navy, to which 
his father belonged. Young Meade did not like navy life, and entered West 
Point, from which he graduated in 1835, to follow the other great division of 
Uncle Sam's military, the army. One year's service after graduation, satisfied 
him with army life. 

He resigned to begin practice as a civil engineer. His work as assistant 
engineer in the survey of the dozen mouths of the Mississippi River and the 
Texas boundary line recommended him so strongly to the government that he 
was employed to settle the boundary line in the northeast between United States 
and Canada. 

In 1842 he re-entered the army and served with distinction on the staffs 
of Taylor and Scott in the Mexican war. He labored for years on the Light 
House corps of the United States and for four years prior to the civil war 
had charge of the geodetic survey of the Great Lakes. At the outbreak of the 
Rebellion he was placed in command of a brigade of volunteers and soon was 
promoted to the command of a division of the army of the Potomac. He was 
in the engagements, "Seven days battle" in the wilderness, Antietam and Freder- 
icksburg. At Chancellorsville he commanded the Fifth corps and succeeded 
Hooker as commander of the entire army, hastening North to check Lee's inva- 
sion. He was succeeded by Grant as general commander, who treated him with 
such signal equality that the pangs in his reduction were greatly alleviated and 
mutual good feeling always existed between them. 

In 1864 Meade's abilities were most conspicuous and brilliant and his serv- 
ices were recognized by his promotion to the rank of Major General, in August, 
1864. 

At the close of the war he was placed in command of the Atlantic division 
of the United States Army, a post which he filled until his death in Philadelphia, 
November 6, 1872. 

Festus Young, the surveyor, being an official member of the committee to 
divide the county into magisterial districts, was, also, the only member of the 
committee representing the New England contingent of Upshur county citizen- 
ship, and had the privilege and honor of naming this district in commemoration 
of the distinguished services and pure character of the above-portrayed hero and 
patriot. 

Zedekiah Morgan and Patrick Peebles in the year 1801 moved out frpm 
Massachusetts and made a settlement at Sago. Both were actual settlers and 
both found what they were in search of — permanent homes. 

Three years after making their settlement, or 1804, was born Alfred Mor- 
gan, the father of Mrs. George W. Burner. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 255 

The first saw and grist mill built in this district was at or near Sago in the 
year 1810. It was erected by Zedekiah Morgan and Patrick Peebles. Soon after 
its completion a violent freshet swept it down and carried it away. The second 
saw mill in this district was built by Aaron Gould on the waters of French 
Creek, near where Meadville now stands. This was a short time after the war 
of 1812. 

In 1825 there came from Massachusetts, James Bunten, who located on 
the Buckhannon River near where Morgan lived. With eagerness and solicitude 
he listened to the story of the destruction of his neighbors' saw and grist mill in 
1810, and being somewhat of a millwright himself, determined to replace it with 
a new and better one. Bunten's mill stood on the left bank of the Buckhannon 
River opposite the residence of George Moore, near Sago. In time this mill 
was incapacitated by age and lack of repair to accommodate the increasing popu- 
lation thereabouts. 

Cornelius Clark built a grist mill about one mile south of Bunten's mill in 
the year 1847, which has been out of use for some ten years, and is nov/ totally 
destroyed. At the same time he bored a salt well nearby and for years made 
salt as well as linseed and castor oil from the beans grown on the river bottom 
and hillside. 

The Pringle flour and grist mill at Alton was built by Walker Priiigle in 
1876. It still stands and does grinding for the neighborhood. 

The Aaron Gould saw mill at French Creek was improved and enlarged 
by the addition of grinding processes both for wheat and com in the year 
1820. This old water grist mill was some years ago abandoned and the only 
evidences of there ever being one there are the mill dam and the two-story frame 
building on the bank of French Creek. 

Marshall Gould some years later built a grist and saw mill three miles 
north of French Creek, now near the present postoffice of Adrian, on the C. & 
C. R. R. 

Perry Talbot after disposing of his interest in the French Creek Water, Saw 
and Grist Mill, of which mention has been made, set about the building of an 
up-to-date steam' grist mill in the same village. He completed this mill in 1892. 

The first school was taught by Miss Anna Young, who afterwards became 
the wife of Augustus W. Sexton, in 1822. This school was held in a barn 
owned by Aaron Gould, who lived near the present postoffice of French Creek. 
Miss Amy Burry was the second teacher. She married a Mr. Bradley. The 
first building erected for school purposes was a small log cabin which the settlers 
united in building in the year 1824. 

The first sermon preached in the district was by Rev. James Strange, a 
Methodist minister, in the year 1812. The first religious society formed was 
that of the French Creek Presbyterian Church in 1819. The first place of wor- 
ship was the private residence of Samuel Gould ; but in 1823 a log church was 
erected. 

The second church organization was probably that of the Universalists, about 
the year 1825. It ceased to exist long since. There are at the present time 
thirteen church organizations in the district. 

Methodist Episcopal. — Point Pleasant organized in 1847: French Creek 
organized in 1882 ; Ebenezer Chapel, Tenmile, and Center Chapel. 
Presbyteri.an. — French Creek organized 1819; Lebanon Chapel. 



256 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

United Brethen. — Indian Camp, Waterloo, Big Bend, Alton. 
Baptist. — Sago organized in 1856 by Rev. Aaron Bennet, phurch built in 1873; 
■second church built in 1896. 

German Baptist or Dunkard, at Bean's Mill, built in 1903. 
Meadville, or more commonly known as French Creek, is the oldest village 
an the district. It was named by Festus Young. 

UNION DISTRICT. 

"The Union, one and indissoluble!" The commemoration and fidelity of a 
loyal people at this most trying time must be indelibly fixed on the pages of local 
history. Therefore the naming of this magisterial district reflects the faith and 
hope of Upshur's people in 1863 in the ultimate triumph of the perpetuation of 
the nation. James Kesling, the commissioner from this section of the couiitr\-, 
acted most wisely and far-sightedly when in reply to the interrogation, "What 
shall you name your district?" answered, "Union, the personification of truth 
and the vindication of right." 

The first settlers were Jacob Post, near the mouth of Little Sand Run ; John 
Strader, John and Abram Crites, Abraham Post, John Jackson, Anthony Rhor- 
bough and George Bush, lower down on the Buckhannon River and adjoining 
farms each to the other. 

The first grist mill was erected in the year 1841 by Solomon Day at Dayville, 
near the Overhill postoffice. This mill is still standing although many im- 
provements have been made upon it since the time it was first erected. William 
F. Hollen built the first circular saw mill in 1877. Steam was the propelling 
power. 

The Harris grist mill on Handy Camp Run of the Buckhannon River was 
iuilt in 1881. 

The Hinkle Grist Mill on Big Sand Run, a mile east of the Shreve School or 
Hinkle Postoffice, was built by Valentine Hinkle in 1878. It was a water mill 
and had machinery for sawing lumber attached to it. 

The Pifer Grist Mill on the Buckhannon River was built in 1874. This mill 
is noted today for the good quality of corn meal it produces. 

The Lewis or Forneash grist and saw mill on Big Sand Run, a mile above 
ats mouth, was built in 1874. 

Homer Kesling built a two-sory flour and grist mill on the waters of Big Sand 
Hun near the postoffice of Bonn, in 1903. This mill is fitted up with the most 
modern machinery of any country mill in the county ; it is run by steam. 

The first school was taught in 1828 at what is now known as the Shreve's 
School House. There were sixteen pupils in attendance, who came from several 
miles around. The house was a small, log building twenty by twenty-four feet. 
It was private property. 

The first school house erected for schood purposes was in the year 1830; 
it was a small frame building and stood where the Leonard school has since 
been located. The first teacher is not known, but we are informed that John 
B. Shreves was among the primitive pedagogues in this district. 

There are nine churches in this district divided among the denominations as 
follows : 

Methodist Episcopal. — Kesling Chapel, organized and built in the year 
1858; Mt. Nebo, Low Gap Chapel, and Mt. Rupert. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 257 

Methodist Protestant. — Rock Spring and Mt. Zion. 

United Brethern. — Mt. Hermon or Ours Chapel and Sand Run Chapel. 

Baptist. — Sand Run, and a Catholic. 

WASHINGTON DISTRICT. 

How fitting the nomenclature of this magisterial district ! It was the last 
portion of the county to be permanently settled, _\et, was the first in which set- 
tlements were attempted. George Washington, the father only of his country, 
the creator of an imperishable republic, the arch-builder of an indissoluble union, 
has fame, name and work, perpetuated in this district. 

Born February 22 1732, in Tidewater, Virginia, his fiery ambitious youth 
gave singular manifestations of a leader of men and a maker of history. In 
the friendly "bouts" on school play-ground, in the laborious engagements of 
land surveying, and in the fiercer struggles of bloody warfare, he convincingly 
proved his supremacy over his contemporaries. 

His promotion began early in life; and he gradually went higher and higher 
until an appreciative populace sang in concert, "The first, the last, the best 'The 
Cincinnatus of the West.' " He died at Mount Vernon, December 14, 1799. 

At the time the Pringles and Cutrights settled at the mouth of Cutright's 
Run, an effort was made to establish a home or two across the river, on the 
ground that the river was a barrier to the Indians going eastward and a cabin 
on the hills overlooking that stream might become a place of personal security, 
a fort of family safety. True it is the Cutrights' early made settlement in Wash- 
ington district. In 1816 the Burr-Sexton-Leonard settlement on Leonard Creek 
of the Middlefork River was made. James Tenney, Sr., the foreparent of the 
large Tenney family in the county, settled permanently above Queens, in 181 7. 

A man by the name of Hewins built the first cabin and was the first actual 
settler in the district. 

The Strader settlement, named after Isaac Strader, was made in 1820, and 
the Tenmile settlement was made in 1830. 

The first settlers in this district were Isaac Strader, John Strader, Michael 
Strader, Jacob Strader, Samuel C. Turney, William Wooden and John Weather- 
holt, all of whom lived in the lower part of the district and constituted a large 
settlement. 

The first grist mill was built on Middlefork, in 1818, by James Tenney, Sr. 
It was a rudely constructed building with but one very small run of stone. It 
could grind fifteen bushels per day and the patience of the farmer was sorely 
tried in waiting his "turn" at Tenney 's mill. 

The first saw mill was built in 1854 by F. W. Chipps and Isaac Wamsley. It 
was located near the mouth of Grassy Run and cut 600 feet per day during 
the time of plentiful water. 

The Tenney grist mill on the Buckhannon River near Tenmile was built 
in 1867. 

The Queens or Hollen grist mill was built by Armstead Queen in 1845. 

The second postoffice established in the township was that of Queens, and 
named after the founder of the village and the builder of the first" grist mill. 
The first postoffice was named Middlefork and was kept at the Groves farm in 
1844. 



258 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

The Nixon or Ours grist and saw mill on the Buckhannon River, one of the 
best country mills in the county, was built by Nicholas Ours in 1883. 

The Kedron grist mill was built by George Steele, Sr., in 1886. 

The first election was held at Chesney's precinct, 1858, at which election 
twenty-four persons exercised the right of suffrage, the following being the 
voters : Isaac Strader, David and Samuel Reese, George Warner, Peter and 
Jonathan Tinney, George ]\Ioore, Hazeldon and Nicholas Ours, Sr. and Jr., 
Elijah Rollins, Solomon Reese, Wm. Dunbar, Nathaniel Cutright, James M. 
Black, Benjamin Tallman, Granville D. Marple, N. B. Warmsley, Nathan Ligget, 
Peter Barb, Soloman Day, Peter Tenney, Sr., Elijah and W. B. Goodwin, Meer- 
bach Ours, J. H. Sharps, Wm. Tallman, A. C. Queen, Geo. I. Herndon, Robert 
Wingfield, Howard Roan and Simon Strader. 

This township supports fourteen churches divided among the various denomi- 
nations as follows : 

Methodist Episcopal. — Mt. Carmal, Mt. Harmony at Queens, Mt. Union 
at Kedron, Mt. Olive at Hemlock, Mt Hope Chapel, Simmons Chapel. 

Methodist Protest.'^nt. — (Mt Carmel)- — Queens Chapel, Hemlock Chapel, 
class meets in Carpenter's school house ; Fairview Chapel. 

Baptist. — Carter Chapel at Tallmansville. 

The leading members and supporters of this church were T. A. Carter and 
Page Carter. 

Tenney Chapel above Tenmile, organized and built in 1885. 

United Brethern. — Mt. Washington was first organized and built in the 
year 1847. The original house of worship was log. small in size and inade- 
quate for its growing membership. Cutright Chapel, near Bean's mill. 

German Baptist or Dunkard. — Sand Run Chapel was first organized in 
the early years of the Rebellion. The present house of worship was erected 
in 1888. 

An old resident informs us that the first school in this township was taught 
by Simon Strader in a log cabin on Grassy Run in the year 1842. The enroll- 
ment must have been twenty-five or thirty, for our informant tells us that the 
daily attendance was eighteen. 



Governor Kemble Warren was distinctly a soldier. His birth occurred at 
Cold Springs, New York, January 8, 1830. He completed his course at West 
Point at the age of twenty years and went West as a member of the U. S. topo- 
graphical engineering corps. He worked in the Western States and Territories 
from 1850 to 1859; in this last year he was called to West Point to be assistana 
professor of mathematics. He taught in his alma mater two years and then went 
to the front as colonel of the Fifth New York Volunteers. He distinguished 
himself at the battles of Malvern Hill, Manassas and Fredericksburg. 

In 1863 he was chief of topographical engineers under Hooker and later 
held the same position in the army of the Potomac. He fought most bravely 
at Gettysburg and immediately was brevetted colonel of the U. S. Anny. He 
was in the battles of the Wilderness, in the siege of Petersburg and the contest 
of Five Forks in 1865, when for assuming to be omnipotent. General Sheridan 
relieved him of command. He was afterwards placed in command at Peters- 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 259 

burg and later of the Department of the Mississippi. He resigned his volunteer 
commission in May, 1865, and was brevetted major-general in the United 
States Army. As major of engineers he remained in the regular army in charge 
of surveys, harbor improvements, the construction of fortifications, etc. He was 
a member of the National Academy of Sciences and other scientific associations, 
He died at Newport, Rhode Island, August 8, 1882. 

O. B. Loudin being a member of the committee to divide the county into 
townships and a resident of tliis most northern district, named this township. 

The first cabin erected in this district was in the year 1780, by a man whose 
name was Hammon, but the first actual settlers were Jacob Reger, Isaac Pringle 
and John Reger, unless the reader prefers to call the Pringle brothers, who set- 
tled at the mouth of Turkey Run, actual settlers. 

In the year 1798 a man named Daniel Peck built a cabin on that branch of 
the Buckhannon River now known as Peck's Run, and from him the stream 
takes its name. This man Peck subsequently moved to the southern end of the 
county and built a mill on the waters of the Little Kanawha River. 

The first frame house in the district and in the county was built in this 
township. The site was on land now owned by S. D. Jackson. It is said that it 
was constructed in the year 1800. Among the early settlers in this district were 
the Straders, Rohrboughs, Post, Hyres, Rollins, Wolfs, Marples, Westfalls and 
Radabaughs. 

The first election ever held in the district was at the store of John Marple, in 
the year 1863, upon the question of the reorganization of the government of 
Virginia and the construction of the new State of West Virginia. John M. 
Loudin and J- L. D. Brake were the first and last supervisors. The first grist mill 
was built by Jacob Hyre, about the year 1812. It was a log structure with an 
over-shot wheel forced into action by water led through a mill race. It stood on 
Peck"s Run. There was but one run of buhrs and the bolting was done by hand. 

There are nine church buildings in the district at the present time. 

Methodist. — Macedonia, organized and built in 1852; Mt. Lebanon, 1850; 
Heaston Chapel, Pleasant Valley, in 1838: Oakington Chapel. 

Methodist Protestant. — Mick Hill Chapel, Pleasant View Chapel and 
Westfall Chapel, 1844. 

United Brethern. — Mt. Zion Chapel was organized and built in 1843. 

The Strader grist mill on Hacker's Creek, near Rural Dale, was built in 1844. 

The Post mill on the Buckhannon River was erected by Abraham Post 
about 1825. 

BANKS. 

Nathaniel Prentiss Banks was a native of Massachusetts, born in the well- 
known time factory town, Waltham, January 30, 1816. His paternal ancestor 
being a superintendent of a local cotton mill, made his son an apprentice under 
the chief machinist. He soon learned this trade and quitted it soon to follow 
some other activity more congenial to his nature and habits. He was a finished 
orator and went upon the platform for a time to instruct and to entertain. 

The opportunity of becoming an editor was opened up to him and he could 
not resist the occupation of pushing a pen. He studied law, was admitted 
to the bar while conducting this local paper and in 1849 was chosen to represent 



260 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

his local town in the Legislature of Massachusetts. During his services in the 
the law-making body from 1849 to 1853, his occupancy of the speaker's chair for 
the sessions of '51 and '52 is the strongest attestation of his popularity and 
brains. He went to Congress first in 1853 as a Democrat and during his tenn 
identified himself with the American or Know Nothing Party, and by virtue of 
this flop he was returned to Congress. The most significant political victory of 
his life was that protracted and bitter contest over the slavery question in the 
pre-organization days of the Thirty-fourth Congress that made him the first 
Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was elected governor 
of Massachusetts three consecutive terms and did much to raise the efficiency of 
the Massachusetts' militia which filled an important role in the Civil war. 

On laying down the duties of a commonwealth's chief executive he as- 
sumed the greater responsibilities of the presidency of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road, but soon resigned to be commissioned major-general of volunteers, and 
went to the front in Virginia. 

He was in the battles of Winchester, March 23, 1862 ; Front Royal, May 23, 
1862; Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862, and at the capitulation of Port Hud- 
son, July, 1863. 

He resigned his commission in May, 1864, and returned to his native State, 
where an admiring constituency biennially elected him to Congress until 1877, 
failing only in 1872. 

After a recess of eleven years his friends called him again into political serv- 
ice by a nomination and election to Congress. He died September i, 1894, much 
respected and much honored by his State and nation. 

C. S. Haines was the gentlman on the committee created by an act of the 
West Virginia Legislature past July 31, 1863, from this section of the county; 
and he it was after counseling and advising with his most worthy and intellec- 
tual neighbors recommended that this magisterial district be named Banks 
after the hero and statesman herein before portrayed. 

The first settler in this district was \alentine Powers, who erected the cabin 
near where the Frenchton postoffice now is : the second settler was Leonard 
Crites, who came from Brushy Fork. They were soon followed by Abram Wells, 
Joseph McKinney, Isaac Parker, Samuel T. Talbot, Rice Vincent and James Bart- 
lett. All were actual settlers. William Clark, the son of William and Eve 
(Powers) Clark, was the first white child born in the district. The first grist 
mill was built by Daniel Peck at the upper falls of the little Kanawha River about 
the year 182 1. The lumber for the mill was sawed at the Gould's saw mill at 
Meadville, and withed together and carried on horse by a Mr. Peck to the site 
of his* new mill. The second grist mill was built in 1825 by Valentine Powers. 

The buhrs were cut from a quarry in a neighboring hill and the building was 
a mere shed supported by four posts. Samuel Talbot erected the first saw mill 
in the year 1825; it was a good substantial frame building; the saw, the old sash 
pattern, was propelled by an under-shot wheel. This mill is now known as the 
Wingrove mill. Since the building of Daniel Beck's mill at Arlington and Pow- 
er's mill on French Creek, there has been constructed many others in various 
parts of the district. The site of the Peck mill is now the site of the up-to-date 
flour and grain mill of E. G. Wilson, who purchased the land around the Falls 
and including them from the Fidlers. The Wilson mill at Stillman was built by 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 261 

Gideon Wilson. This mill furnished all the flour and meal for the inhabitants 
in and around Rock Cave. 

The Crites mill at Selbyville was built in 1855-6, by Leonard Crites, whose 
settlement was made in the same year. Thomas Selby lived at this place in the 
year 1873 and gave name to the postoffice as we now have it. 

Newlonton and the station at Newlonton was opened on May 6, 1891, the 
date of the first ticket sold over the extension of the West Virginia and Pittsburg 
Railroad from Buckhannon. 

The Moore mill at Hollygrove was built in the year 1867, it is still in opera- 
tion. About a half a mile above this grist mill was the first saw mill in this 
section, it was built by Mr. Ligget and had an up and down saw forced into 
action by water into an over-shot wheel. 

The first election in this district was held in Beechtown at the time a vote 
was taken for and against the formation of the new county of Upshur out of 
parts of Randolph, Lewis and Barbour. For more particular mention of that 
vote, look at the chapter on the formation of the county. The second election 
was held at Centreville in 1866, at which time fifty votes were cast; among 
those who then exercised the right of suffrage were: Samuel Wilson, Samuel 
Talbot, John Douglass, David Bennett, James Curry, Jerad Armstrong, James 
Smallridge, James Blagg, C. S. Haynes, W. H. Curry, John McDowel, Daniel 
Haynes. Robert Curry, John Smith, James Hull, Daniel and George Talbot. 

The Baptist Church was the first denomination to effect an organization 
in this district. It was made in the year 1815, at Frenchton under the ministry 
of Rev. James Wells. The second society formed was that of the Methodist in 
1816. Warren Knowlton and wife, and Rice Vincent and wife and mother were 
among those composing the first class. 

PRESENT CHURCHES IN THE DISTRICT. 

Methodist Episcopal. — Beechtown Chapel first organized in 1816, a churcb 
was built in 1837, and the present house of worship was erected in 1863, 

CentervillE Chapel was organized in 1850 and house was built in 1851, 
Kanawha Run Chapel, Mt. Zion Chapel, Salem Chapel, Canaan Chapel, Brooks 
Chapel, Newlonton Chapel, Shinar Chapel, Marple. 

Pleasant Dale. — Boreman, Heaston, Eden, Wilson, Union M. P. and 
M. E. South on Straight Fork. 

United Brethern. — Cow Run Chapel, Cherry Fork Chapel. 

Baptist Churches.— Rock Cave, organized on April 15, 1849, and Provi- 
dence. 

At Goshen there is a Dunkard class and a Dunkard Church which was 
organized by D. J. Miller in 1901. 

The first school was taught about 181 5, by a man named George Dawson, 
in a log cabin on the waters of French Creek. The first school house was built 
in the year 1818 near the postoffice of Frenchton on what is now known as 
the Walter Phillips farm. This postoffice is the oldest in the district. 

To this district belongs the great honor of having grown one of the largest 
walnut trees in the United States. We dare say that ink of lumber history never 
penned a more gigantic walnut tree than the one cut by Robert Darnell in the 
year 1882. When felled it measured across the stump seven feet and six inches 



262 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

one way, and eight feet four inches the other. The body was seventy-five feet 
long and the top end measured three feet four inches in diameter. Mr. Darnell 
sold it for $600. about one-tenth of its actual worth, but it enabled him to pay 
for the farm on which it grew. 

FIRST SETTLEMENTS IN AND AROUND ROCK CAVE. 

William Loudin settled at the mouth of Cherry Fork on the Little Kanawha 
River on the place now owned by his relative and descendant, Thomas Samples. 

Daniel Peck built the first grist mill at the upper Falls on the Little Kanawha 
River in 1828. He sold it to Robert Clark, whose dreams of success and content- 
ment were dissipated by the immediate death of four children. The rough 
tombstone in the Centreville Cemetery marks the date of birth and death of 
these children. 

Alpheus Rude, of Massachusetts, settled on Kanawha at the Falls of Flat- 
woods Run, now owned by Wilson ; and he, his wife, his son William and his 
wife and^children lived and died there. The land that Mr, Rude owned was sold 
first to William Hefner by his son Edwin ; Hefner sold it to George White ; White 
sold it to R. H. Townsend, who sold it to E. E. Curry. Mr, Curry, on account 
of its easy approach for the people on the Kanawha and its tributaries, constructed 
there a grist mill, known for some time as the Curry Mill, later as the Wilson 
Mill, It was burned down in 1893, Patrick Peebles, of ^lassachusetts, settled 
on Kanawha Run on the farm now owned by King Jones; he sold it to Zacheriah 
Rollins ; Rollins to Isaac Parker ; Parker to Benjamin Eckle, whose son sold it 
to A. M. Smith. 

Job Thayer settled on a Knob farm near Rock Cave, now owned by John Hull, 

Murray Thayer settled on a second Knob farm near by. 

George Nicholas settled on the James Donley place, which was acquired from 
Thomas McVincent. 

Henry Winemiller settled on the farm now owned by John Hyre. Captain 
Gilbert Gould once lived near Rock Cave on a tract of land subsequently sold to 
him by J. J. McVincent, who died in Andersonville, 

Samuel T, Talbot built the first frame house in the township, on the Talbot 
plantation, in 1832. It is still standing in a fair state of preservation. 

Three brothers from Boston, Mass., Anson, Gilbert and Pascal Young, 
settled on what is now the Brake and Helmick Farms. 

David Cochran and sister Ann, first settled in Centerville, Rock Cave, in 
James Curry's horne. 

The first winter school taught at Centerville was by Festus Young, in a little 
house near John MacAvoys, When the owner of this little house could no longer 
spare it for educational purposes a second house was secured just below Benjamin 
Paughs. It was burned in 1844 and the citizens united in building a hewn log 
house where the M. E. Church now stands. 

The first business house in Centerville was the Morrison & Curry millinery 
store. It was a cheap structure, built by a William Curry and J. J. McVincent, in 
26 days. Thomas Desper used it as a store room and sold it to William H. Curry 
in 1855. 

SCHOOL HISTORY. 

The history of Upshur county, in its educational growth, is in general the 
history of Virginia and West Virginia repeated. The retarding influence of Gov- 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 263 

ernor Berkeley's speech, when he thanked God that Virginia 'had no tfree 
schools, indicated the true and popular sentiment of her well-to-do people, and 
was not overcome until one hundred and twenty-five years had elapsed. Seven 
years after the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, Thomas Jefifer- 
son. that great apostle of Democracy, influenced the Virginia Assembly to insert 
in her code the first school laws pertaining to a passive careless regard for and a 
nominal oversight over only a few schools without donating funds to aid and 
assist them. In this legislative act a germ of perennial duration was planted, and 
in time germinated and grew into the Virginia University (1819). and later into 
the Jeffersonian ideal of free common and free high schools. 

Early educational opportunities in the settlements of the Buckhannon River 
Valley were very meager. What there were, were most energetically improved 
by the children of the first settlers. Children were needed at home to assist 
parents in clearing forests, in cutting fire wood, and doing other chores which 
saved steps for parents ; very few schools were kept, indeed, none were held for 
twenty-five years after the first settlement at the mouth of Turkey Run. 

The school houses were of a primitive style of architecture, bearing a very 
small resemblance to Grecian or Roman order. They were constructed of logs 
notched at the coners, and daubed with clay. Before this last process was entered 
upon the cracks between the logs were filled with mountain moss and pieces of 
split wood. The roof was of split boards, kept in their position by weighty poles 
laid across them to the full length of the building. Light was provided, not by 
transparent window glass but by translucent paper covering an aperture made 
by sawing out a log. This paper was greased, in order to make it 
more translucent, and was provided with a plank cover suspended by leather 
hinges, so that it protected the paper and the children during a dashing rain or 
heavy storm. The chimneys were large and wide. Puncheon benches without 
backs, ten and twelve feet long, were the uncomfortable seats that pupils were 
required to sit upon during the long school day. A chair and a table, for the 
teacher, with one or more good birch rods in the corner, completed the furniture 
of the school room. 

School books were also scarce, and of diverse kinds — sometimes every pupil 
would bring a dififerent book. Columbian Orator, Arabian Knights, Robinson 
Crusoe, the Bible or the New Testament were the original books ; later on. Green 
and Davy's arithmetic, 'Webster's readers and spellers were used. This outfit, 
meager as it was, was quite equal to the demands of the curriculum which com- 
prehending only reading, writing, and ciphering as far as the rule of three. 
Mathematics was taught at first only by means of a manuscript book, belonging 
to the teacher, in which arithmetical questions were not only propounded, but the 
process of their solution must be fully recorded in figures. This was the pupils 
only source for sums, and to the teachers standard of calculation answers must 
conform. Pupils after toiling days, or weeks over a sum in long division would 
go up to the teacher to report their answers, and would hear the appalling words — 
"not right." They would then have to go over the tedious and perplexing calcu- 
lation again with the probability, staring them in the face, of arriving at the same 
result, and receiving the same answer. 

The rod bore an important part in the discipline of these primitive schools. 
Fortunately or unfortunately, the forest furnished switches, which for toughness 
and punitive power, threw into the shade the far famed birchen rod. The vir- 



264 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

tues of the hickory were understood by all the disciplinarians of the school room, 
and its penal application was held in extreme horror by all of the unruly, naughty 
urchins of the region. It was employed with more or less freedom and severity 
according to the temper and virus of the pedagogue. Some irascible teachers 
used it with unquestionable cruelty, while others employed it to terrify rather 
than to punish. 

Castigation was inflicted usually by retail, but in some cases by wholesale. 
Ten or a dozen were often called upon at once, and each in turn received his 
share of the whipping. Sometimes when the violators of school rules were of 
unequal size the smaller boy was put upon the back of the larger, and then 
the teacher used a goad long enough to go around both. In this way the larger 
boy would receive the greater amount of punishment from the small end of the 
whip. 

The first school in the Buckhannon River valley was taught by a Mr. Had- 
dox, in a primitive log cabin near the mouth of Radclifif's Run, about two miles 
south of the present town of Buckhannon. This school was begun in December 
in the year 1797, and was supported by private subscriptions. The interest mani- 
fested in this school, at this time, can best be measured by the amount of contri- 
bution made up and paid over to the first jolly pedagogue. It has been handed 
down from generation to generation that Mr. Haddox's salary was $16 and 
board per month. The latter half of this consideration was by compliance with 
the condition that the teacher go home in turn with the pupils of each parent and 
supporter of the school. The attendance of this first school was regular, large 
and wide. Such great interest was taken in the novelty of school life, that the 
average daily attendance kept up to almost a hundred during the term of school 
which was three months. Children within a circuit of five miles of the school 
attended, and were eager and anxious to gain bits of information to help them 
in their after life. Upon information, such as is received and passed from gen- 
eration unto generation, we venture to name some of the children who attended 
this first school : From Cutright's Run were Jacob, John, William and Isaac 
Cutright and their sister Ann. There were also the Oliver children. There were 
William, John and Samuel Pringle, Jr., sons of Samuel Pringle of Sycamore 
fame. The children of the Ours' and Jackson's, from the present site of Buck- 
hannon, were also in attendance, and the Tingles, the Finks, the Hyers, and 
Schoolcrafts from Fink's Run answered present to the roll call. School con- 
tinued to be kept at varying periods, in this log hut, for a score and more of 
years. The second school was taught in the present town of Buckhannon in 
1807. The school house was a vacant residence on the place of Job Hinkle — 
Samuel Hall was the teacher. 

These early schools received no state aid. The teacher had to depend upon 
his subscription paper which was circulated among the numerous families withirr 
reach of the proposed school, and each family signed whatever number of pupils 
it felt able to send. In case too few signers were secured the school would not 
begin, and the teacher went on to a more populous neighborhood to try his luck 
again. Salaries were, indeed, low, and the meager pay received was made to go 
further by "boarding 'round." 

In 1810 the General Assembly of Virginia created what was known as the 
literary fund. By this act all "escheats, confiscations, fines, and pecuniary penalties^ 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 26& 

and all rights in personal property accruing to the Commonwealth as dereljct, and 
having no rightful proprietor, should be used for the encouragement of learn- 
ing." An account by the auditor was obtained under the literary fund. The Gov- 
ernor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Attorney General and President of the 
Court of Appeals were made trustees and managers of this fund. We are not 
able to say whether the citizens in the Buckhannon River valley settlements re- 
ceived anything from this fund. The act of 1810 was amended by the act of 
1818 which latter act provided that, " It shall be the duty of the courts of the 
several counties, cities and corporated towns in the month of October, or as 
soon thereafter as may be. appoint not less than five or more than fifteen dis- 
creet persons to be called school commissioners. The duty of these commission- 
ers was to disburse for the county its pro rata share of this literary fund annually. 
This fund, as will be recalled, was used to pay the tuition of the children of poor 
parents. The commissioners selected these children out of the applications made 
to them. This literary fund law applied only to poor white children, and did 
not include the children of the negro. It is, indeed, a lamentable fact that pride, 
in almost all instances, overpowered good judgment and very few parents availed 
themselves of the benefits offered by this fund. Of course, by a later amendment 
to the provision connected with the distribution of the literary fund, the com- 
missioners were given power to select children, and when selected it was the 
duty of the parents or guardians to send such children to school. If they failed 
to comply with this semi-compulsory provision, a penalty, in a sum equal to the 
tuition, was inflicted. Commissioners as well as parents objected to this system 
because it seemed to place their poor neighbors in the light of paupers. They 
did not look at it, as we do to-day, that there is no child either too rich or too 
poor to receive an education at the hands of the State. From 1819 to 1845 very 
little change was made in the school system of A'irginia. In the latter year an 
act was passed authorizing the County Court to re-district the counties, and ap- 
point a school commissioner for each district. These school commissioners were 
required to assemble at the court houses of their respective counties in the month 
of October and elect tVT'o z'oce a county superintendent of schools. His duties 
were to keep a register of the children in his county, and report annually on the 
literary fund — how it was distributed, who received it, and its effect upon the 
schools under his care. Again on March 5, 1846, an act for the establishment 
of district public schools was passed. By this law one-third of the voters of a 
county could petition the county court to submit to the voters, at the next general 
election, the question of establishing district public schools. A two-thirds ma- 
jority of the votes cast were necessary for their establishment. Upon the estab- 
lishment of public schools "a uniform rate of increase taxation" upon the tax- 
able property in the county was provided for the support of these schools. This 
additional levy was placed by the school commissioners upon the taxable property 
in their jurisdiction. By the same law three trustees in each district could be 
had, two to be elected by the voters of the district, and one to be chosen 
by the board of commissioners. It was the duty of theSe trustees 
to select a site for a school house, to build and furnish the same, and 
to employ the teacher. The law gave the trustees power to discharge 
this teacher for good cause. They had also "To visit the school at least once 
in every month, and examine the scholars and address the pupils if they see fit, 
and exhort them to prosecute their studies diligently, and to conduct themselves 



266 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

virtuously and properly." There were many objections to the manner of the 
distribution of financial aid to the first schools in Upshur county. The committee 
which divided these funds oftimes gave assent to a distribution, unequal and 
unjust. A strong magnetic solicitor always received, on account of his influence, 
more than his due share of the funds. One teacher tells us that he, on one 
occasion, had thirty-five pupils and got $36 from the literary fund, and at the 
same time knew of his uncle's keeping a school with fewer students, and receiv- 
ing $60 of the literary fund. The law as a whole tended in the right direction, 
its spirit was good, although its intent be occasionally broken. The law of 1845, 
as amended by the law of 1846, remained practically the school la^N- of Virginia 
and West Virginia until the breaking out the war. It must also be remembered 
that as far as Upshur county was concerned there was not a single school house 
built out of public funds prior to the Civil war, and there was no other, but the 
composite — school, religious, and political structures, in the county. That is to 
say, that the people in a neighborhood united in a common eiTort to construct 
log houses of hewn or unhewn timber with the full intention that they should be 
used as a school house, church and political forum. 

This brings us to the war of the rebellion in which Mrginia, the mother 
State, was delivered of a child. This child broke away from maternal precept 
and example, and greatly improved upon the old order of educational affairs. 
West Virginia, from the beginning, turned her face toward the bright star of 
free public schools. The free school system was not an experiment, for the 
neighboring states of Pennsylvania and Ohio had already tested it. When those 
men who refused to follow the old State, on the secession and State rights ques- 
tion, met to frame a constitution for the new State, they were determined to have 
a uniform system of free education. Therefore, they inserted in the first consti- 
tution this declaration : "The Legislature shall provide, as soon as practical, for 
the establishment of a thorough and efficient system of free schools by appropriat- 
ing thereto the interest of the invested school fund, the net proceeds of all forfeit- 
ures, confiscations and fines accruing to this State under the laws thereof, and 
by general taxation on persons or property or otherwise. They shall also pro- 
vide for raising in each township (district) by the authority of the people thereof, 
such a proportion of the amount required for the support of free schools therein 
as shall be prescibed by general laws." 

On December 10, 1863, the Legislature of West Virginia passed an act enti- 
tled, "An act providing for the establishment of a system of free schools." This 
act was in conformity with the tenth article of the constitution. By this act 
three school commissioners were to be elected on the fourth Thursday in April, 
1864, for each township district. The commissioners so elected, when qualified, 
together with the clerk of the township constituted the Board of Education whose 
duty it is to take the control and management of schools within their district. 
By the same act, and at the same time, a county superintendent of free schools 
was elected. His duties were to examine all candidates for the profession of 
teacher, to visit the schools, to encourage institute work, etc. 

The first county superintendent of Upshur was A. B. Rohrbough, elected 
on the first Thursday in April, 1864. His term of service began on the tenth 
day succeeding his election. Mr. Rohrbough later gave up educational work 
and went into the ministry where he remained until his death in 1901. We have 
been unable to find a report from him, telling how many, and what condition 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 267 

the schools of Upshur county were in when he retired in 1864. We presum^ 
his work must have been hard, earnest, and laborious. The county superintend- 
ents of Upshur since 1865 have all made reports to a State superintendent. 

SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS FOR UPSHUR COUNTY. 

D. D. T. Farnsworth, 1851 ; Clinton G. Miller, 1852: Simon Rohrbough, 
1853: Simon Rohrbough, 1854; Tilletson Jenney, 1857; Henry Simpson, 1861 ; 
Asbun' Rohrbough, 1864; J. Loomis Gould, 1867; L. B. Moore, 1872; H. D. 
Clark,' 1873; T- F. Hodges, 1873: George R. Latham, 1875; Joseph S. Reger, 
1877: Charles" L. Brown, 1879: R. A. Armstrong, 1882; L. P. Brooks, 1883; F. 
P. Sexton, 1885: W. B. Cutright, 1889: N. W. Loudin, 1891 ; E. H. Knabenshue,, 
1899 ; W. S. Mick, 1902 ; J. H. Ashworth, 1907. 

BUCKHANNON ACADEMY. 

The first legal action toward making provisions for greater educational 
facilities in the present bounds of Upshur county was made in 1847. Several 
prominent citizens in and around the town of Buckhannon asked the Virginia 
Assembly to pass an act creating them a body politic, to have perpetual succes- 
sion and a common seal to purchase, receive, and hold to them and their succes- 
sors, forever, any lands, rents, goods and moneys of whatsoever kind to be used 
to the advantage of education in their midst. On February ist, 1847, the Gen- 
eral Assembly of \'irginia passed an act entitled, "An act to incorporate the male 
and female academy of Buckhannon." The incorporators, according to the 
terms of the act, purchased a lot near where the Episcopal Church now stands on 
Main street in the town of Buckhannon, and built thereon a comfortable two-story 
school house. The first principal of this school was J. Wesley Webb, who was 
succeeded by Mr. Young, of Virginia. Augustus Sexton was also a teacher in 
this school. Some of the pupils who attended this school were Dr. Thomas 
G. Farnsworth, Nicholas C. Loudin, Mrs. J. W. Heavner, M. J. Jackson and 
Dexter W. Cutright. 

The interest and influence of this school was great considering the limited 
field in which it operated and the meager means with which it endeavored to 
aiifect its work. It was a lamentable fact that after several years of success this 
male and female academy of Buckhannon was suspended, the building was allowed 
to decay, the lot was turned out to the common, and thus it remained until 
February 23, 1866, when the Legislature of West Virginia, by an amendment to 
the act passed February i, 1847, made David S. Pinnell, Levi Leonard, Joseph 
D. Rapp, Nicholas C. Loudin, Thomas G. Farnsworth and Marshall Rohrbough 
trustees. The same act empowered them "to lease, sell, rent, or otherwise dis- 
pose of the same in such manner as shall seem most conducive to the advantage 
of said academy." These trustees sold it and put the money on interest until 
a time when another high school shall be established in their midst, then the 
principal and accrued interest shall be donated for the aid and support of said new 
high school. Marshall Rohrbough was chosen secretary, and delegated by the 
board of trustees to negotiate a loan of this money. We are not able to say 
whether.it was ever given to the Normal and Classical Academy, the first high- 
school at Buckhannon, or any other school. 



268 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 



BAXTERS INSTITUTE. 

Just prior to the outbreak of the war in 1861 the Presbyterians endeavored 
to establish a high school at Buckhannon. They were under the leadership of 
Rev. R. Lawson, an earnest educator, who persuaded his parishioners to name 
the school after Richard Baxter, whom Dean Stanley styles "the chief of English 
Protestant school men," and as all know the author of "Saints' Everlasting Rest," 
at one time a widely read theological work. A committee was appointed to 
select a site, to purchase lumber, and to make a contract for building. The site 
selected was the oak grove near the present West Virginia Methodist Episcopal 
Conference Seminary. Lumber was hauled on the ground, and the contract 
for building was let. War came on, McClellan's army invaded the county, ap- 
propriated the lumber for camp and camp fires, and Presbyterian hopes for a 
high school had to be deferred. 

In 1905 Congress awarded the local Presbyterian Church $1,431 damages 
for the destruction of the Baxter Institute. At a special term of Circuit Court 
June, 1905, at which Capt. A. M. Poundstone was elected special judge, the court 
named A. M. Legget, S. B. Phillips, J. J. Morgan, W. G. L. Totten and .\. .\. 
Simpson to be the trustees to receive the fund. 



,. .^^"^^ 










_> ^ '_ 



FRE.XCH CREEK INSTITUTE. 



The Presbyterians in and around French Creek were immigrants from the 
New England States, and were always energetic and progressive in educational 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 269 

affairs. On February 23, 1871, they met in their church house and prepared 
papers, asking for the incorporation of the French Creek Institute. They secured 
their charter on March 2, 1871. It is now on record in the Upshur county 
clerk's office in deed book H, page 507. The purposes of this institute are set 
forth in this charter document, and among them are the following: "It is to be 
a male and female academy to train up teachers and promote education generally." 
The patrons of the school subscribed, at the time they asked for the charter, 
$400. and requested the privilege of increasing the capital stock to $30,000. The 
charter 11. embers were Benjamin Gould, Ebenezer Leonard, Loyal Young, Ashley 
Gould, Alpheus Brooks, Freeman F. Sexton, Morgan A. Darnell, N. M. Ferrell 
and J. K. P. Koon. The first principal was Dr. Loyal Young; other principals 
were: Myra Brooks, J. Loomis Gould and R. A. Armstrong. The last is now 
professor of English in the West \'irginia University. This school wielded a 
wide, beneficient and salutary influence upon the future school history and 
growth of education in this and adjoining counties. 

THE WEST VIRGINIA NORMAL AND CLASSICAL ACADEMY. 

This institution was incorporated in 1882 as the West Virginia Academy. 
The United Brethern in Christ's Church, locally, a very strong denomination, was 
its founders, promoters, and guardian. Those foremost in the church in encour- 
aging the matter were Rev. Zebidee Warner, D. D., of Parkersburg; Revs. W. M. 
Weekley, Columbus Hall; J. O. Stevens and L. F. John, all of the Parkersburg 
Conference. The last two of these had just completed their regular college 
course at Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio, and had received special 
training in school work, therefore, they were full of enthusiasm, tireless energy 
and a lofty purpose to attain the goal of their ambition, namely, to make their 
church and church school as influential in West \'irginia as it was and is in the 
State of Ohio. 

Prof. J. O. Stevens for some time had been in charge of the Buckhannon 
public schools, wherein he proved himself an efficient educator and saw unmis- 
takable evidence of an unworked field ready for great educational results. It 
was due to his influence that such prominent laymen as Levi Leonard and Dr. 
G. A. Newlon, and others of Buckliannon town and surrounding country were 
interested. At first they encountered more obstacles than they had anticipated. 
The fair prospects which prompted them to such great efforts turned ino dark 
grounds and friends which before had not taken any active interest, had to be 
called upon to rally about the institution and give it the support that it needed 
to start it. 

A commodious building of ten rooms was erected, five courses of study 
were arranged and a respectable show of students entered upon their work. 
The classical course and the philosophical course were arranged with a view 
to fit young men and young women for the sophomore year in college. The 
teachers' course was intended to qualif}^ students for work as teachers in the 
public schools of the State, and the musical course provided an opportunity for a 
general musical education. The commercial course was afterwards added to the 
curriculum. The students enrolled were soon organized into two literary socie- 
ties, the Philomatheon and Philadelphian. Each was furnished a hall where 



270 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

they held their weekly meetings, and each became strong factors in training the 
students for successful life after their school days. 

The first principal was Prof. J. O. Stevens. He was succeeded by Prof. L. F. 
John. At commencement in June of 1885, Prof. John resigned the principalship 
for the purpose of taking post-graduate work at Yale, and W. S. Reese, Ph. M., 
of Otterbein, was elected to the vacant place. Prof. Reese remained but one 
year. He was succeeded by Rev. W. O. Fries, A. M., of Lebanon Valley Col- 
lege of Pennsylvania, who continued at its head during three years. It was 
during his administration that the commercial course was started with Prof. F. 
P. Sexton, now a successful merchant and insurance agent in the town of Buck- 
hannon, at its head. This course gave a large number of young men and young 
women an opportunity for a business education, and it was improved by them. 
From the beginning the musical course was under the supervision of Mrs. Sue B. 
Hall, a graduate of Otterbein University, in both the scientific and musical 
courses. 

At the opening of the school year, 1889, Prof. W. O. Mills, Ph. B.. a graduate 
of Otterbein University, took charge of the school. Prof. Mills is now professor 
of mathematics in the West Virginia Conference Seminary, where he has been 
since 1897. Professor Mills did not enter upon his work without previous ac- 
quaintance with it. His first experience during the previous year of 1888 availed 
him much in the management of the school. He served as principal only one 
year at this time and was succeeded by Prof. U. S. Fleming, A. M., formerly 
principal of the Fairmont State Normal School and principal of the Grafton 
Public Schools, and assistant editor of the Methodist Protestant Advocate, pubr 
lished at Pittsburg, and superintendent of the City Public Schools of Parkersburg, 
who had the management of the school for the years 1889 and 1890. 

In 1891, Prof. W. O. Mills found himself again at the head of the school 
and continued to be its principal until 1897, when it was moved to Mason City, 
Mason county, W. Va. 

The school was supported by tuition and voluntary contributions of friends. 
The U. B. Conference did not increase its membership as rapidly as was hoped 
by the founders of this institution and, therefore, the financial support which 
was expected did not materialize. Considering that the membership of the U. B. 
Church in the Parkersburg Conference was never more than 11,000, and consid- 
ering the wealth and means of that membership, the laity and nobility, the school 
succeeded admirably. 

The enrollment began with 93 in the year 1882 and continued to increase 
until it reached 186, its maximum. The work done by this academy cannot be 
measured by dollars and cents. It was the pioneer in the work of higher educa- 
tion in this part of the State. It had its own way to make. Every dollar had 
to be personally solicited from the people scattered over the territory in the 
Parkersburg Conference. Thic work was arduous and sacrificing upon those 
who undertook it. Rev. C. E. Hall worked continuously from the beginning of 
the school in 1882 to the year 1889, traveling to and fro over the State making 
private and public appeals to the membership of his church for financial assist- 
ance and aid to keep the school on its feet. Rev. S. A. Shanabarger succeeded 
him as financial agent, and his task was no less tiresome. Indeed it was a 
harder one, for the State Normal Schools had taken on new life and were being 
provided for by larger appropriations by the Legislature to enable them to reach 
out and do the kind of work and do it with better and more equipments than 




WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE AND DORMITORY. 




WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE SEMIXAKY. lUH.XED IN 1905. 




MR. AND MRS G. S. CTTRIGHT and sons D H.. W. B. I. G., A. H. 
and C. B.. and daughters Iva and Coiienne. 




lUOSlDK.XCK l)K .SK.\AT01{ 1. (i. 'iOLM 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 271 

could be had in the West Virginia Academy. The tide was too strong, the 
church would not stem it, the financial supporters of the school refused to do- 
more, local creditors were urging the payment of their debts, and the school 
property had to be sacrificed at a public sale. It was bought by the corporation 
of Buckhannon and converted into the public school building for the inde- 
pendent school district of Buckhannon, where it will always remain. 

"the WBST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE." 

This educational institution at Buckhannon, maintamed by the West Virginia 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is one of the finest educational 
institutions of our state. The Methodist Church has always been a great friend 
to education, especially in its more popular forms. The Methodist Episcopal 
Church alone is at present conducting 133 schools with 3,000 teachers and 47,000 
students of all grades. 

In Western Virginia many years ago the Methodists supported an academy 
at Clarksburg. The unhappy misunderstanding and division of 1844 proved fatal 
to this school, and for over forty years the Methodists of the State were without 
a school of their own. After the Civil war was over and the new State firmly etab- 
lished, American Methodism celebrated its centennial in 1866. At this time much 
work for education was done in the country and West Virginia Methodists began 
the efifort for a school which never entirely ceased until after years of waiting 
it was rewarded with great success. 

In 1876 Buckhannon presented to a committee of the West Virginia Confer- 
ence a subscription of $6,750 for the location of a seminary in the town, but the 
Conference did not accept the offer then. Ini883 the Conference appointed 
a committee on the centennial observance of the formal organization in 
1784 of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This committee recommended 
the establishment of a seminary as an important object for the gifts of 
the people. In 1884 the Conference was held at Buckhannon, and it appointed 
a board of trustees for the proposed seminary. This consisted of A. J. Lyda, 
chairman ; L. L. Stewart, secretary ; D H. K. Dix, treasurer ; T. H. Hughes and 
Samuel Steele. 

This board received contributions during the year and in i885 the conference 
elected a board of eight ministers and eight laymen whose duty it was to receive 
proposals for the erection and endowment of a seminary, the coference to decide 
where it should be located. The ministers were A. J. Lydia, L. H. Jordan, T- A. 
Fullerton, Samuel Steele, E. H. Orwen, L. L. Stewart, H. J. Boatman and A. B, 
Rohrbough. The laymen were H. C. McWhorter, H. K. List, J. C. McGrew, A. 
M. Poundstone, B. F. Martin, Samuel Woods, Henry Logan and Nathan Goff. 
In 1886 death removed Dr. Samuel Steele and Hon. Nathan Gofif. Rev. J. W. 
Reger. D. D., was chosen in place of Dr. Steele, and his name is very closely con- 
nected with the whole history of the Seminary. In place of Mr. Goff, John A. 
Barnes was chosen, and he is still on the board. 

Various places in the state were desirous of securing the location of the semi- 
nary with them. Parkersburg and Elizabeth may be mentioned among these. On 
July 13, 1887, the trustees met at Philippi to decide upon the place and the vote 
was in favor of Buckhannon. Two days later the trustees proceeded to Buckhan- 
non. to select a site, but did not succeed. On August 29 they met again and 
purchased a tract of a little over forty-three acres for $5,551.87. In October, 1887, 



272 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

the conference met at Parkersburg and these proceedings were ratified. The 
trustees were also directed to proceed with the erection of buildings. The main 
building was finally completed during the summer of 1890, and on September 3 
of that year the school was opened. A month later the conference, which was in 
session at Weston, came in a body to Buckhannon, and the building was dedi- 
cated by Bishop Cyrus D. Foss. From the opening to the present the school has 
moved forward in a career of unbroken prosperity. 

The first president of the institution was Rev. B. W. Hutchington, A. M.. D. 
D. Mr. Hutchinson was a native of Pennsylvania. He graduated at Ohio 
Wesleyan University and then entered the ministry. While a pastor in Provi- 
dence, R. I., he was chosen president of the new institution. Early in 1898 he 
resigned to accept a similar position at Lima, N. Y. 

President Hutchinson began with a faculty of three teachers besides himself. 
During the first year three more were added. Seventy pupils were enrolled 
during the first term. During the year 201 diflferent students received instruction. 
Since then until the fire in February, 1905, which destroyed the main building, 
every year had a larger enrollment, since the fire and recovery the enrollment 
has again continued to increase. 

The work of the shool has been continuously increasing. At first it was con- 
fined to common English branches and the elementary classics pursued in prepa- 
ration for college. Then a musical department was added and a deparment of art 
followed. In the spring term of the first year a business department was added and 
all these varieties of work have been constantly maintained. 

The tendency has been to raise the standard for admission and constantly 
add studies of higher and higher grades. The school was chartered with full 
powers but not until June, 1903, did the Board of Trustees raise the courses to 
full college grade. The standard is that prescribed by the University Senate of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and listed as a college. 

In 1891 five persons, one man and four women, received diplomas as the 
^rst graduating class. The first male graduate was William B. Cutright, now a 
lawyer in Buckhannon. The class of 1906 numbered 69. There have been 
in all 536 graduates from the various courses. Nineteen hundred and five saw 
■.the first graduates in regular college work. 

In 1895 the state legislature passed a law which authorized the State Board 
dI Examiners to grant teachers' certificates to graduates of the seminary. This 
to some extent makes it a State Normal School, but there is no connection with 
the state government e.xcept by this recognition of its work. It has sent out a 
large number of teachers to the public school of the state besides those who are 
teaching in private schools in other states. In the Seminary diplomas are 
given in the Classical, Scientific. Literary. Normal, Musical. Engineering and 
Commercial courses. Besides these, certificates are given to the students of the 
Business Colleges whenever they complete their shorter courses. 

In the College the usual degrees are conferred. 

The institution is co-educational. Ladies and gentlemen are admitted on 
terms of perfect equality and work together in the classes without an\' unpleasant 
results. A reasonable amount of very pleasant romance has grown out of this 
fact, and thus far the history is free from any tale of scandal. 

The moral and religious tone of the school has always been high. While it 
was established and is controlled by one religious denomination it has never been 
sectarian. Several different churches have been represented in its faculty, and 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 273 

its students have been from a great variety of denominations. Even Jewish pupils 
have been received and treated with perfect courtesy in the work of school. No 
institution could be more free from religious bigotry, and the clergymen of all the 
Buckhannon churches are in most pleasant relations with the school. The students 
themselves choose which church they will attend in the town and on any Sunday 
in term time students can be found in every local congregation. 

The buildings are on a hill rising with a gentle slope in the southeast part of 
the town. They consist at present of the Administration Building, the Ladies' 
Hall, Conservatory of jNIusic, the President's residence and Power House. The 
first is an imposing edifice built of brick. It contains the necessary offices, many 
recitation rooms, two halls for literary societies and a chapel which will seat 1,500 
people. The Seminary began with one building and its students found homes as 
they could, among the families in town. This proved more and more inconvenient 
for the lady students as their number increased. In 1893 the project of a Ladies' 
Hall was adopted and in September, 1895, the finished building was ready for 
occupancv. It is built of brick and is so planned as to allow of building on of 
a wing, which will greatly increase its capacity. It contains parlors, a convenient 
kitchen and dining room and rooms for 80 young ladies. It is supplied with 
modern conveniences and is a healthful and pleasant home for its residents. 
When President Hutchinson took charge of the school he built a residence for 
himself some rods to the eastward of the Seminary building. The house was 
afterwards purchased from him by the trustees and has since been steadily used 
as the President's home. The spacious Music Hall constructed of brick and stone 
was added in 1902. 

The Library of the school consists of some 7,000 volumes. These books 
are chiefly the donations of friends. In 1901, through the influence of Miss 
Adelaide R. Thompkins, of Pittston, Pa., the reading room was refurnished and 
a goodly number of volumes added to the Library. 

The Presidents of the institution since the retirement of Dr. Hutchinson 
in 1898 have been Rev. S. L. Boyers, elected in June, 1898, and Dr. John Weir, 
the present incumbent, elected in June, 1900. During the interim between the 
incumbency of Drs. Hutchinson and Boyers, Prof. Frank B. Trotter was Acting 
President. 

In 1903 through the generosity of Dr. D. K. Pearsons, of Chicago, the school 
provided a good foundation for endowment. Dr. Pearsons gave $25,000 toward 
the fund. 

On the 4th of February, 1905, a fire totally destroyed the main College build- 
ing. The loss of such a building to many a school would mean the virtual ces- 
sation of its work. In the case of the College temporary quarters were forthwith 
procured, and not a day was lost, not a student retired, not a class was dropped. 
The cost of the lost sructure was some $34,000. The sound value of the building 
was placed by the adjusters at $29,000. The insurance was $16,000, all of which 
was allowed. A fund for restoration was at once started. Generous friends 
promptly contributed. The result is the splendid edifice which now adorns the 
campus. The new building is twice the size of the old, and of design and 
appointments of the most modern and approved kind. A central power house, 
to heat all the buildings of the College and entirely apart from them, has also 
been provided. Hereafter no heating apparatus will be within any building. 
The cost of the new building, with power house, heat and light installation, 
furniture, etc., is $81,000. Among the larger contributors to the fund for 



274 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

restoration are Dr. D. K. Pearsons, of Chicago, $10,000; Andrew Carnegie, of 
New York, $27,500; John D. Archbold, of New York, $5,000, and Mrs. E. S. 
Stone, of Wheeling. Granville Strader, of Upshur county. West Virginia, who 
died a few days before the fire, left a bequest to the University of some fifty acres 
of coal. 

The Board of Trustees comprises twenty-eight men of high standing and wide 
influence. 

RUCKHANXON TOWN. 

^lost new towns now-a-days are named after the capitalist, the niannfac- 
turer or speculator who founds directly or indirectly, the means and reasons for 
establishing such congregated place of abode. When Buckhannon was founded 
the prevailing method of naming a new town was different. The discoverers 
and explorers and pioneers were numerous enough to furnish abundant names for 
every new villige. ilost every adventurous spirit of the i8th century, has his 
family name perpetuated in some river, town or city. 

Buckhannon takes its name from the river whose head-waters are in the 
hemlock forests of the .\llegheny and whose mouth is near the northern boundary 
of the county. The river was so named on account of this historical fact. The 
family document of Jacqueline Ambler, Treasurer of the State of \'irginia several 
years before and at his death in 1707, contains this entry. "There was living 
(1785) in Richmond a poor old Scotch clergyman, named John Buchannon, 
whom I invited to make my house his home until he should be able to have 
better support and care." Taking this entry as a starting point, my researches 
led me into the early church history of the Mother State. We learn by reading 
widely that John Buchannon was a missionary minister and teacher for several 
years after his arrival in this country, that he was very active in his work, brav- 
ing sore trials and privations in order that he might do good for his fellow-man. 
be he a pioneer white or vindictive red. On one occasion his bishop sent him 
to the head- waters of the Monongahela on a tour of inspection and a mission of 
help. He crossed the mountains to Tygart's \"allcy and from thence was going 
to a mission which he learned was on the West Fork near where the town of 
Weston now is. We are unable to find whether he made more than this one 
trip, as we al.so are unable to possess facts of his discovery and exploration. 
Our personal opinion is that he thought that the river which runs from south to 
north through Upshur county, had not been discovered, naaned and explored 
by any white man, thoroughly. He assumed to do both and being desirous to 
perpetuate the deed, called the river after his own name. You will notice that 
Dr. Buchannon's name was spelled with an "o" and not an "a" like the \'irginia 
family of English descent and prominent in our state and national history. The 
word has been corrupted in its spelling by the insertion of a letter "k" after "c." 
Now this is the author's theory for the name of Buckhannon as it now is. 

While we are satisfied with the foregoing origin of the name of our county 
seat and the principal stream in the county, we call attention to another name 
which might have been the foundation for the same word. General George 
Washington had many friends in England who were Lords and Earls inheriting 
their titles from their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers who had 
honorably and chivalrously won distinction. One of these friends was the Earl 
of Buchan who on solicitation of a comnnniication of General \\'nshington 
interested himself in Rev. Brvan Fairfax, who laid claim to the title after the 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 275 

death of the original Lord Fairfax as known in this country. Lexicographers 
and philologists tell us that the suffix "en" and "on" to an original name would 
give the name to a town or village or city. Such as, "Weston" is the combination 
of the primitive word "West" and the suffix "on," meaning a town to or in the 
west. Now if you add the suffix "on" to the last part of the aforesaid Earl's 
name you would have the word Buchanon. With Buchanon as the pure name of 
a town or village it would only be a slight feat of the recorder, lawyer, or 
writer to corrupt it in its spelling so that it would be Buckhannon. 

The first settler in the present limits of the corporation of Buckhannon was 
Edward Jackson who moved his family into a rude log hut on the river bank 
in the fall of 1770. The land upon which most of the town has been built wab 
granted originally to Elizabeth Cummins who became the wife of John Jackson ; 
she sold it to John Patton of Fredericksburg, Va., who in 181 5 sent Benjamin 
Reeder, his attorney, in fact, to lay out the town. Mr. Reeder secured the ser- 
vices of Jacob Lorentz, John Jackson and Joel Westfall, the latter two were 
surveyors. Thirty lots were surveyed, eighteen of which were sold at $25.00 
each. Patton soon after sold his land to Joseph Ward who in turn sold it to 
Daniel Farnsworth in 1821. Mr. Farnsworth was a citizen of Staten Island, 
N. Y., at the time of this purchase. He came here with his family to make the town 
his future home. The purchasers of lots in the embr3-o town had not occupied 
them. The marks indicating their location had disappeared and Mr. Farnsworth 
cultivated the land ; but in 1824 the owners became uneasy and demanded a resur- 
vey. John W. Westfall, Daniel Farnsworthj and Augustus W. Sexton, a 
surveyor, re-located the lots. 

Daniel Farnsworth erected the first house in 1822; it was a two-story hewed 
structure built on contract by Joel Westfall. It yet stands (1905) on lot No. 27, 
and is occupied by J. J. Farnsworth, grandson of the original owner. The second 
was a small log house erected by George Nicholas on the lot now owned by Misses 
Florence and Olive Leonard. The third was built by Levi Paugh who soon 
after its erection sold it to Zedekiah Lanham who was a blacksjnith by trade 
and succeeded the town's first blacksmith, Isaac Farnsworth, who began business 
here in 1822, shoeing horses, making hoes, plow shares, and other instruments. 
Levi Paugh was the first shoemaker; Waldo P. and Nathan Goff were the first 
machinists, commencing business in 183 1 ; Weedon Hoffman and Richard P. 
Comden, partners, doing business under the firm name of Hoffman and Comden, 
succeeded the Goffs in the machinerj' business. 

The first election was held in the house of Daniel Farnsworth in 1829. 

The first school was conducted by Samuel Hall in 1807 in a vacant house 
on depot street where now stands the palatial residence of Prof. Frank B. Trotter. 

The first house of worship, known as the old "Carper Church," was erected 
in 1822 by the Methodists under the ministrj' of Henry Comden who occupied 
that pulpit for several years. He was a man of much power and considerable 
eloquence but like many in his vocation had periods of stammering and dullness. 
It was on one such an occasion that his wife, Mary, being very versatile with the 
Bible, seeing that the* congregation was. not satisfied with her husband's exposition 
of the text', weitt. forwand, fook.her position in the pulpit and delivered one of the 
most able discourses ever heard within the walls of the old church. This old 
"Carper Church" was the second Methodist Church in the county and stood on 
the lot now owned and occupied by Abram Rollins. 



276 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 



The act of incorporation of the town of Buckhannon passed the Virginia 
Assembly on May 12, 1852. 

At the first session of the county court held in April 1851 after the passage 
of the act forming Upshur county the lot on which the old court house was erected, 
was purchased and in 1854 the first court house was finished, a structure which 
after being repaired from the fire of 1855 served the county as a Temple of 
Justice until 1899 when the old court house was torn down and the present im- 
posing building was begun. The County Court increased the size of the original 
court house lot by the purchase of a small additional lot to the south on which 
the Jail and Sheriff's residence now stand. The present court house cost the county 
$37,500 in 20-year bonds. 




JACOB HYRE S GRIST MILL ON FINK RUN, 



The first water mill in the Independent School district of Buckhannon, was 
built by Jacob Hyre, called "Shaking Jake," above the mouth of Fink's Run on 
the land now owned by the heirs of William D. Farnsworth. This mill was 
the first in the county and was constructed in the year 1783 and was the only mill 
in the Buckhannon Valley for a score of years. At the time of its building it 
attracted a great deal of attention and some wonder from the men, women and 
children in the neighborhood. It was a corn crusher, simple and pure, the use 
of home-made buhrs being employed to crush the grain. It was a one-story mill ; 
the buhr stones were small and the grinding capacity limited, so much so that it is 
said by one of our informants that often it took a day to grind a grist. 

The second mill was built by Col. Edward Jackson, about the year 1821. 
This mill of Tackson's was swept away by a flood in 1837 ; it stood on the river 
bank opposite where the Star Mill now stands. The Anchor Mill was first built 

by George Jackson in . The present Anchor Mill has a capacity of 60 barrels 

per day and is owned by C. I. Farnsworth. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 277 

The Star Mill was built in the year 1848 and was remodeled in 1894. Its 
present capacity is 50 barrels per day and its owners are O'Brien Hall, Jacob Hall 
and Lee Hall. 

CHURCHES IN BUCKHANNON TOWN. 

Within the walls of this beautiful city of Buckhannon lives a population 
whose percentage of church attendance is greater than that of any town of 
like size in the United States. The people who have liyed here since birth 
are greatly attached to church organizations and much interested in church 
work ; those who have come into the town readily acquire the enthusiastic habit 
and go-to-church habit which is so strong, noticable and useful in this town. 
Indeed, for one to be a regular attendant at church either as a member or a 
worker therein, insures passports to local financial and social organizations. 

The oldest and strongest denomination is the Methodist Episcopal which 
as heretofore mentioned in these pages was organized and housed in the old 
"Carper Church." After its desolate destruction the class built a more modern 
building on the lot where the present one now stands, and in 1887 the present 
house was built. The parsonage of this church was built in 1897. 

The second M. E. Church in north Buckhannon was built under the 
pastorage of Rev. A. Mick. The leading spirit in its construction was a student 
of the Serninary by the name of Archer. 

The Baptist denomination moved from its original house of worship in 
the cemetary north of town to and within the city limits. This congregation 
acquired a lot on Locust street and built thereon in the year 1888 one of the best 
churches in town. This church is kept in good repair and is yet commodious,, 
comfortable, convenient and invitable to members and visitors thereof. 

The present Presbyterian Church was built in the year 1891. It is located 
on Kanawha street opposite the front entrance of the Sheriff's home. 

After the organization of the U. B. Class in 1871 the first noticable figure 
who had much to do with the refitting and improving the building was J. O. 
Stevens, the first principal of the West Mrginia Academy. The house was again 
greatly improved, while under the charge of Rev. George A. Doyle. At present 
they have a very commodious and attractive house of worship. The parsonage 
of this church was built under the pastorage of Rev. G. W. Burdette. It stands 
on the Island in the O'Brien and Shipman addition. 

Methodist Protestent church was late in gaining a foothold among the local 
churchgoers, although many citizens held to that belief contributing to the 
support of their home church until a time came when the Methodist Protestant 
was sufficiently strong in numbers and finances to erect an elegant one-story 
brick church on Florida street. 

The catholic church, a good one-story frame building was erected in the 
year 1894 on a vacant lot ne.xt to the residence of B. F. Fallon, its principal 
financial supporter. The most enthusiastic worker of this church is the family 
of George L. Munday. 

Boggs Chapel, a general missionary church located in South Buckhannon, 
was built in 1904 under the supervision, guidance and power of Rev. Boggs. 
This building is one-story frame and has a capacity of two hundred. 

The West Virginia and Pittsburg Railroad Company received from the 
county sixty-five thousand dollars and made its entry in the town of Buckhannon 
in the year of 1881. The first passenger train came here over this narrow-gauge 



278 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUXTY. 

road from Weston. In the year 1899 after the B. & O. R. R., had become 
owners of the West Virginia and Pittsburg hne this road was extended to 
Newlonton and Pickens. W. P. Fowkes was the first local agent of the railroad 
company. 

The fir*t electric light plant was built on a lot in the rear of the Valley 
House in the year 1888. T. J. Farnsworth, G. A. Newlon, G. M. Fleming and 
J. Earl Newlon were among the strong stockholders of this plant. It was burned 
in the year 1891 and immediately there rose a brick building better adapted for 
the purpose of housing electrical machines. The present water and light power 
company was organized in 1902 and completed its plant in 1904. The principal 
stockholders are G. F. Stockert, F. C. Pifer, A. I. Boreman and C. F. Teter. 

The first woolen mill was built by the Parker Brothers in 1887. It was burned 
1902 and was rebuilt by G. F. Stockert and John Parker in the year 1903. 

Buckhannon River Boom and Lumber Company was organized by A. H. 
Winchester in the year 1884 and built large mills on the Buckhannon River 
just above the town to which its logs were shipped and floated to be sawed 
into lumber before shipping to a foreign marKet. This business adventure was 
not the most successful and A. G. Giffin, the company's strongest competitor, 
became owner of these mills. 

The William Flaccus Oak Leather Company of Pittsburg, Pa., built a 
tannery in Buckhannon in the year 1889. 

The Upshur Glass Company, whose buildings are along by the 'switches of 
the B. & O. R. R. across Finks Run. began operations in the town the year 1902. 

The Steimer Glass Company, whose magnificient plant stands on the Buck- 
hannon river a mile and a half south of town proper, first opened its doors for the 
employment of labor and the productions of glass, such as tumblers, dishes, 
and table wear in the year 1903. 

The following is a list of persons serving as Mayor and Recorder of the 
town of Buckhannon from the year 1853 to 1907 (54 years) as appears from the 
town record, viz : 

1853— J- O. Core President. W. H. Shuey Clerk. 

1854— J. Mullin " Mifflin Lorentz " 

1855— John L. Smith. . . " D. D. T. Farnsworth " 

1856— John L. Smith. . . " John W. Blagg : " 

1857— E. J. Colerider.. " j'. B. McLean " 

1858— J. Rohrbough... " J. B. McLean " 

1859— L. L. D. Loudin. " Wm. H. Gibson " 

i860— L. L. D. Loudin. " Wm. H.Gibson " 

1861— L. L. D. Loudin. " Wm. H. Gibson " 

1862— D. S. Pinnell.... " C. P. Rohrbough " 

T863— E. J. Colerider.. " Beth Williams " 

1864— E. J. Colerider. . " J. D. Rapp " 

1865— T. J. Farnsworth. " J. D. Rapp " 

1866— T. J. Farnsworth. " J. D. Rapp " 

1867— T. J. Farnsworth. " J. D. Rapp " 

1868— W. G. L. Totten. " J. D. Rapp " 

1869— H. D. Murphv.. " J. D.. Rapp " 

1870— J. H. Rohrbough. " P. M. Boggess " 




WILLIAM F. FIDLER, Family and Residence. 




FOURTH OF JULY AT FIDLER'S MILL. 



A 


\ 


! 




OLD COURT HOUSE. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 



279 



1871- 


-A. 


G. 


Osborne ... " 


1872- 


-G. 


A. 


Newlon... " 


i87,S- 


-S. 


B. 


Philips 


1874- 


-G. 


A. 


Newlon ... " 


J875- 


-G. 


A. 


Newlon. . . " 


187^-C. 


C. 


F. McWhorter " 


1877- 


-T. 


G 


Farnsworth. .Mayor, 


1878- 


-T. 


G. 


Farnsworth.. 


1879-C. 


S. 


McWhorter. . " 


1880— T. 


M. 


A. Jackson. . . ' 


1881- 


-S. 


B. 


Phillips " 


1882- 


-S. 


B. 


Phillips " 


i88s- 


-1- 


H. 


Hanson " 


1884- 


-s. 


B. 


Phillips " 


1885- 


-1. 


H. 


Hanson 


1886-S. 


B. 


Phillips " 


1887- 


-S. 


B. 


Phillips " 


1888- 


-I. 


H. 


Hanson ' 


1889- 


-W 


K 


. Findley " 


1890 — D. 


C. 


Hughes ■' 


1891- 


-D. 


C. 


Hughes " 


1892- 


-D. 


0. 


Hughes " 


18QV 


-W 


K 


. Findlev 


i8q4- 


-W 


K 


. Findlev 


189 s- 


-W 


T 


Burnside. ... " 


I8q6— W 


.T 


Burnside. ... " 


1897- 


-W 


F 


. Fisher " 


I8q8- 


-W 


H 


. Fisher " 


1S99— A. 


B 


Clark " 


1900 — T- 


L. 


Hurst " 


IQOI- 


-T. 


L. 


Hurst " 


1902- 


-T. 


G. 


Farnsworth.. 


1003- 


-T. 


G. 


Farnsworth.. 


1904- 


-T. 


U. 


N. Downes. . " 


IQOS- 


-T. 


G. 


Farnesworth. . " 


iqo(>_T. 


G. 


Farnsworth . . " 


1907- 


-J- 


J. 


Morgan " 



C. p. Rohrbough " 

C. W. Hart " 

Jacob Waugh " 

Jacob Waugh " 

Jacob Waugh " 

Jacob Waugh " 

C. C. F. McWhorter " 

C. C. F. McWhorter " 

C. C. F. McWhorter " 

Jacob Waugh " 

Jacob Waugh " 

Jacob Waugh " 

Jacob Waugh " 

A. A. Simpson Recorder. 

A. A. Simpson 

A. B. Clark 

A. B. Clark 

A. B. Clark 

E. B. Morris 

E. B. Morris 

U. G. Young 

U. G. Young 

L. B. Stevens 

L. B. Stevens 

Loomis Brake 

Loomis Brake 

O. L. Robinson 

O. L. Robinson 

W. B. Nutles 

W. G. L. Totton 

W^ G. L. Totton 

G. E. Drummond 

W^ H. Young 

W. G. L. Totton 

D. E. Scott 

J. T. Morgan 

Thos. W. Curry 



COURT HOUSES. 

Buckhannon has been the county seat of Harrison county and Upshur county. 
The bill providing for the formation of Harrison county, names the house of 
George Jackson at Bush's Fort as the place for holding the first session of the 
Court of Harrison. This was in 1784. 

Upshur county has held its Courts in nine houses and has had. two Court 
Houses. 



County seat of Upshur county, till the present time, Buckhannon, . . 185 1 

First Court House, Andrew Poundstone's residence 1851 

Second Court House, Methodist Episcopal Church 185 1 



280 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

Third Court House, Court House 1854 

Fourth Court House, Baptist Church 1856 

Fifth Court House, John ^laxwell's shop 1856 

Sixth Court House, Baptist Church 1857 

Seventh Court House, Court House 1857 

Eighth Court House, Pifer Building 1899 

Ninth Court House, New Court House 1901 

The contract for the present Court House was awarded Feb. 17, 1899 to 
A. F. Withrow and Company of Charleston, W. Va., at the price of $37, 650.00. 
The County Court held the contractors closely to this contract, neither raising 
nor decreasing the price. The architect of the new building was Harrison 
Albright, of Charleston, W. Va. 

The corner stone of the new Court House was laid by Franklin Lodge No. 
7, A. F. & A. M., of Buckhannon on June 5, 1899. The speech was made by 
Rev. A. W. Lane, pastor of the Baptist Church. 

In the cavity of the corner stone was deposited, in an air-tight box, 
a photograph of the old court house, a photograph of the original designs of the 
new building, a copy of the contract between the County Commissioners, Archi- 
tect and Superintendent, specifications of the new court house, a certified list 
of proposals received from all contractors, as prepared by J. J. Morgan, Clerk 
of the County Court, the message by Gov. Geo. W. Atkinson to the Legislative 
body, 1899, M. A. Kendall, State Treasurer's biennial report. Prof. J. Russell 
Trotter's biennial report of free schools, L. M. La Follett's biennial report as 
Auditor, Edgar P. Rucker as Attorney General, a copy of the laws of West Vir- 
ginia, inaugral of Gov. Geo. W. Atkinson, blue prints of the West Virginia 
Asylum for Incurables at Huntington, blue prints of the Annex of the State 
Capitol, the latest copies of the Buckhannon Delta, Buckhannon Banner and 
Knight-Errant, copy. Stone Cutter's Journal, copy of the Charleston Daily 
Gazette and Daily Mail Tribune, Photograph by W. G. L. Totten, Confederate 
bill of the denomination of $100, with historical facts by Master Walter D. 
Phillips, a list of contractors and all the stone cutters and masons employed on 
the new court house, a list of all the National, Congressional and State officials, 
a list of the officials of the town of Buckhannon, a copy of the proceedings of the 
M. W. Grand Lodge of A. F. and A. M., of the State of West Virginia, for the 
year 1898, a list of all the officers of Franklin Lodge No. 7 : P. V. Phillips, W. AI. ; 
C. N. Pew, S. W. ; Henry Trask, J. W. ; W. D. Talbott, Treas. ; W. G. L. Totten, 
Sec. ; C. C. Higginbotham, S. D. ; A. B. Clark, J. D. ; L. S. S. Farnsworth, Tiler. 

ELECTIONS IN UPSHUR. 

Election returns for the past 43 years are incomplete. The records do not 
show what may be wished. In many instances there are no records whatever 
of the number of votes cast and for whom cast. We give only of what could 
be found. 

1864— NOVEMBER 8. C. P. Snvder 747 

1888— NOVEMBER 6. 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. PRESIDENTI.\L ELECTORS. 

Republican 1.717 

Republican 658 Democratic S41 

Democratic 46 Prohibition 18 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 



281 



1866— OCTOBER 25. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

B. M. Kitchen 727 

E. W. Andrews 235 

1868— NOVEMBER 3. 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 

Republican 799 

Democratic 47 

i87c^OCTOBER 7. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

James C. McGrew 787 

A. D. Downey 347 

1872— NOVEMBER 5. 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 

Republican 835 

Democratic 299 

7 

1872— OCTOBER 24. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

D. D. T. Farnsworth 403 

B. F. Martin 200 

A. R. Boteler 3 

J. Nelson Wisner 2 

1876— NOVEMBER 7. 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 

1878. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

i88c^NOVEMBER 2. 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 

Republican 

Democratic 

Greenback 

1882— OCTOBER 10. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

E. L. Buttrick 746 

John E. Kenna 383 

P. B. Reynolds 58 

1884— NOVEMBER 4- 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 

Republican 1,258 

Democratic 683 

Greenback 28 

Prohibition 16 

1886— NOVEMBER 2. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

James H. Brown 1,396 



i89c^NOVEMBER 4- 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

Theophilus Gaines 1,463 

John D. Alderson 787 

J. E. Middleton 27 

1892— NOVEMBER 8. 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 

Republican 1,851 

Democratic 938 

Prohibition 83 

1894— NOVEMBER 6. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

Tames H. Huling .'1,911 

John D. Alderson 813 

1896— NOVEMBER 3- 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 

Republican 2,281 

Democratic 949 

Prohibition 36 

National Democratic 18 

1898— NOVEMBER 8. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

William Seymour Edwards. . 1,672 

David E. Johnson 751 

James W. Davis 8 

1900— NOVEMBER 6. 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 

Republican 2,400 

Democratic 866 

Prohibitionist 5 

Peoples Party 6 

1902— NOVEMBER 4- 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

Joseph H. Gaines 1,725 

James H. Miller 594 

Squire Halstead 68 

1904— NOVEMBER 8. 

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. 

Republican 2,407 

Democratic 826 

Prohibitionist 103 

Peoples Party 3 

1906— NOVEMBER 6. 

CONGRESSIONAL. 

Joseph H. Gaines 1,580 

George Byrne 498 

F. H. Montgomery 154 

Thomas Swinburne 3 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 



EARLY MARRIAGE LICENSES. 



The records of Randolph County from 1788 to 1817 contain the original 
grant of marriage licenses to the following persons ; by whom married and the 
year. Only those are selected who are and were residents of that part of Ran- 
dolph County which was later included in Upshur County. 
1788 



SrAN S NAME 

John Outright 
Zacariah Westfall 
Cottrill Tolbert 
Philip Reger 



Baker 
Hez. Rosekranz 



Cornel's Westfall 
John Hacker 



Joel Westfall 
Issac White 
William Clark 



WOMAN S NAME 



Rebeccah Tniby 
Hannah Woolf 
Elizabeth Reger 
Sarah Jackson 



DAUGHTER OF 

John Truby 
Christianna Woolf 
Jacob Reger 
John JacKson 



1795 



Susannah Cutright Benj. Cutright 

Nansy Simpson John Simpson 

1796 

Elizabeth Helmlck Jacob Helmick 

Sussannah Smith David Smith 



1798 



Elizabeth White 
Margaret Hadden 
Barbara Helmlck 



William White 
David Haddan 
Jacob Helmick 



BY WHOM MABBIED 

Isaac Edwards 
J. W. Loofborougl 
Isaac Edwards 
Isaac Edwards 



Robert Maxwell 
Robert Maxwell 



Phinehas Wells 
Jos. Cheaveront 



Robert Maxwell 
Robert Maxwell 
Robert Maxwell 



John Cutright 
Leonard Hire 



Jacob Lorentz 
William Booth 
Michael Westfall 
Gaulaudat Oliver 



Samuel Channel 
Christian Bickle 



Isaac Westfall 



William Lynch 
Thomas Butcher 



Basil Hudkins 
John Hfllder 
John Brady 



Deborah Osborn George Osborn 
Dolly Phyman 

1803 

Rebecca Stalnaker Val. Stalnaker 

Deborah Hart Edward Hart 

Mary Helmick Adam Helmick 

Mary Ann Bogard Cornelius Bogard 



1804 



Sarah Hornbeck 
Hannah Spillman 



Benj. Hornbeck 
John Spillman 



1S06 
Catharine Shreery Joseph Shreery 

1807 
Nancy Hill 
Susanna Petro Henry Petro 

1808 
Nancy Skidmore Andrew Skidmore 

Mary Lewis John Lewis 

Susanna Ware 



Robert Maxwell 

Robert Maxwell 



Robert Maxwell 
Robert Maxwell 
Robert Maxwell 
Robert Maxwell 



Robert Maxwell 
Robert Maxwell 



Robert Maxwell 



John Skidmore 
Robert Maxwell 



Robert Maxwell 
Robert Maxwell 
Robert Maxwell 



Henry Wilfong 
Jacob Teter 
Joshua Morgan 



Christiana Wees 
Nancy Cade 
Hannah Gould 



Jacob Wees 
Moses Cade 
Aaron Gould 



John Carney 
Phinehas Wells 
Henry Camden 



Benj. Phillips 
Martin Miller 



John Rowan 
Robert Maxwell 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 



283 



MAN'S NAME 


woman's name daughter of 


BY WHOM MARRIED 






1811 




Solomon Yeager 


Mary Teeter 


Jacob Teeter 

1812 


Simeon Harris 


Archibald Eaiie 


Mary Buckey 


Peter Buckey 
1813 


John Rowan 


Jacob Westfall 


Sarah Hinckle 


Justice Hinckle 


John Rowan 


Willis Taylor 


Sarah Clark 


1S14 


John Rowan 


Abraham Wolf 


R. McLaughlin 


1815 


John Rowan 


William J. Davis 


Lydia Gould 


Aaron Gould 


Simeon Harris 


James Shreeve 


Lydia Smith 


Jonathan Smith 


John Rowan 


John Shreeve 


Susanna Wamsley 


James Wamsley 


Asbery Pool 



MARRIAGE LICENSES GRANTED IN HARRISON COUNTY, 



1785. Simon Harris and Christian Westfall. Jolin Little and Elizabeth 
Wells, John Hadden and Isabelle Elliott, John Phillips and Catherine Isener. 

1784. James Bodkin and Mary Westfall. 

1786. John Jackson. Jr., and Rebecca Hadden. 

1787. James Westfall and Ann Truden, Edmund West, Jr., and Ann 
Hacker, William Roberts and Hannah Fink, William Low and Elizabetl: West- 
fall, William Martin and Hester Cheney. 

1788. John Reger and Elizabeth West. 

1790. Henry Bukel and Sarah Rees, James Kelly and Elizabeth Swiger. 

1791. William Hacker and Hada West, David Bennett and Christina 
Bumgardner, Job Hughes and Mary Hamm, George Critzer and Hester Moore, 
Jesse Lowther and Mary Cagan, Frederick Salor and Barbara Strader. 

1792. Arthur Thomas and Mary Haynes, Archabald McKinney a. d Mag- 
dal ]\IcKoon, James Smith and Sarah Cutright, John Arnold and Jemina Jackson, 
David Hull and Mary Wamsley. 

1793. William Huff and Mary Kelley, John Greathouse and Mary Gillespie, 
Abraham Cutright and Susanna Cutright, John Phillips and j\Iary Geaspell. 

1794. William Cottrall and Rachel Hughes. 

1795. Benjamine Cox and Mary Hughes, William Bibby and Deborah 
Hughes, Joseph Koon and Sarah Brown, John Coon and Catrina Coon, Samuel 
Hall and Alexander Ireland and Elizabeth Kegan, John Ross and Zepolah Webb, 
James Schoolcraft and Mary Carpenter, George Maxson and Anne Heavens, 
James Davis and Elizabeth Davis. 

1796. William White and Anne Swearingin, John Cain and Nancy White, 
Jacob Jackson and Sudna Lowther, Charles Parson and Nancy Sleeth, Anthony 
Smith and Agnes Reader. 

1797. John Jackson and Elizabeth Cozad, George Reed and Sarah Denham, 
Edward Goodwin and Lany Davis, Peter Hirdman and Margaret Hacker, Abra- 
ham Reager and Mary Reder. 

1798. Elija Rees and Phoebe Roan, William Jackson and Anna Bennett, 
Joseph Koon and Sarah Brown, John Cutter and Catrina Coon, Samuel Hall and 
Catrina Foweler, Jacob Cutter and Nancy Rowen, John Wolf and Mary McCally, 



284 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

Jacob Means and Elizabeth Jackson, James Hull and Hannah Lambert, Ebenezer 
Chaney and Elizabeth Queen, Henry Hyre and Catherine Loudin. 

1799. John Queen and Elizabeth White, Edward Jackson and Elizabeth 
Brake, Jacob Swisher and Rachel Casto, Samuel Jones and Elizabeth Wade, 
Anthony Coon and Sarah Piles, Henry Waldeck and Mary Sleeth. 

1800. William Williams and Catherine Jackson, John Wolf and Elizabeth 
Ireland, Amor Piles and Mary Shaver, James Stanley and Elizabeth Huse, 
Jesse Huse and Susana Mock, Jacob Woolf and Mary Wagner, Daniel Carr and 
Mary Evans, Joseph Koon and Elizabeth Slackhouse, Robert Fitsgerald and 
Litice Roby, James Reder and Margaret Nutt. 

1801. Abraham Bennett and Martha Hull. 

1802. Levi Queen and Catherine Lowther, William Hull and Sarah Town- 
send, Marshall Rees and Sarah Morrison, Abraham Wells and Massey Chidister, 
William Wade and Nancy Robins, Eppa Bartlett and Rebecca Barnes, Benja- 
min Ni.xon and Joanna Clark. 

1803. Enoch Legget and Margaret Davisson, Nathan Rees and Issabelle 
Harbert, Morris Rees and Unice Tutle,-John Nutter and Mary Mount, John 
Bartlett and Sarah Silvey, David Casto and Elizabeth Radcliff, John Reynolds 
and Anna Rogers. 

1804. George Hull and Hannah Rees, John Waterman and Jemina Ireland, 
Alexander Hacker and Betsy McNamar, Thomas Lynch and Prudence Tolbert, 
John Wilson and Catherine Ash, Philip Crites and Elizabeth Reder. 

1805. Asel Philips and Hannah Nixon, Thomas Ice and Druzilla White, 
\\'iliam Nichols and Polly Wolfter, Stephen Martin and Catherine Reger, Thomas 
Hall and Elizabeth Tolbert, Robert Childs and Mary Tolbert, EHsha Hall and 
Nancy Conoly. 

1806. David Little and Mintie Lang, Isaac Beer and Elizabeth Dixon, 
James .Stuard and Sarah Richards, William Ireland and Elizabeth Wood, Moses 
Bennet-) and Mary Queen, David Hues and Mary Thomas, Isaac Kane and 
Priscilla Ireland, Daniel Kinsaloe and Sarah Jackson. 

1807. William Baccus and Dolla Drummond, Vincent Glover and Lidia Cut- 
right, John Clark and Matilda Warner, Samuel Clark and Elizabeth Shinn, 
Levi '^/atkins and Polly Goodwin. 

1S08. William Linsey and Barsheba Nutter. Daniel Brown and Nan 
Davis, Samuel Childers and Rebecca Hughes, John Sharp and Barbara Criss, 
Jesse Reese and Jane Kirk, Henry Herdman and Elizabeth Hacker, Hezekiah 
Hess and Sarah Lyons, Cornelias Queen and Mary Ann Race, George Sheets 
and Catherine Sheets, Jacob Sheets and Ann Ireland. 

181 1. Moses Loonier and Lucy Higginbotham, Hiram Lynch and Ann Sum- 
merville, George White and Rebecca Jackson, Jonathan Curry and Mary Mason, 
David Calhoun and Mary Cross, John Hanline and Peggy Roniine, Robert Cal- 
houn and Nancy Goff. 

1812. Alexander Louther and Sarah Ireland, Benjamine Bazel and Susanna 
Jackson, Jonathan Wolf and Bridget Runyun, William Clevelandar and Mary 
Night, John Nay and Phebe Stormes. 

1813. John Brake and Rachel Hyre, George Casto and Sarah Ours, John 
Oliver and Mary Allman, Jacob Cutright and Elizabeth Westfall, John Bozarth 
and Mary Forenash, John Sleeth and Elizabeth Wolf, Stephen Bennett and 
Catherine Huff. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 285 

1814. Abraham Reger and Leona Brake, John Lynch and Eva Pose, 
Joseph Hartman and EHzabeth Smith, Isaac Docks and EHzabeth Reger, Nicholas 
Linger and Elizabeth Seelez, Alexander Ireland and Sarah Jackson, James Queen 
and Rachel W. Cullough. Jacob Mark and Ann Young, John W. Hacker and 
Marv Ann Rains, Peter Wagner and Catherine Hvre, Moses Royland and Nancy 
Poe.' 

1815. Thomas Loudin and Honora Conoly, John Loudin and Elizabeth 
Carpenter, James Clandening and Mary Dianna VanHorn, Jacob Brake and 
Rachel Jackson, Jeremiah Dean and Catherine Solomen, Michael Reese and 
Elmora Poland, Nicholas C. Sleeth and Catherine Collins, David Wolf and 
Elizabeth Ireland, Andrew Miller and Elizabeth Ford, George Davis and Milly 
Midleton, John Suter and Elizabeth Leankan, Phinias Wells and Jane Clark, 
Zacheriah Robins and Elizabeth Howell, Cornelias Westfall and Edith Wilson, 
Nathan Davisson and Elizabeth Carper, Joseph Hall and Catherine Radabaugh,- 
Isaac Haskins and James Mowery, Henry Reger and Elizabeth Rohrbaugh, 
Christina Smith and Sarah Carbin, Henry Ours and Sarah Strader, Nicholas 
Ours and Mary Ann Casto, John Boreman and Margaret Beach. 

1816. William Oliver and Sally Reger, Jacob Wolf and Sarah Paugh, John 
Cockes and Polly Conoly, William Childers and Nancy Hughes, Jonathan 
Ireland and Aliza Reboreal, Henry Wiant and Sarah M. Sleeth, James RadclifT 
and Lienor Boring, Samuel Shaw and Atlantic William, Joseph Low and Sarah 
]\IcCaly, Levi Hayes and Anna Jack, Adrian Coon and Susan Saop, ]\Iartin 
Strader and Mary Rohrbaugh, Henry Colerider and Lienor Love. ■ 

1817. William Windroe and Malinda Lanham, Thomas Huflf and Isabell 
Bartlett, George Westfall and Lydia Cutright, Peter Cutright and Nancy West- 
fall, Samuel Tenny and Dorcas Rohrbaugh, John Cutright and Christina Wether- 
holt, Silvanius Seeni and Mary Jackson, Samuel Hayes and Roama Arnold, 
William Prim and Rebecca Curry, John Young and Uthamias Jarvis, Alexander 
Sleeth and Captain Wjoolf, Benjamine Caper and Lucy Hickman, David Decks 
and Mary Bond, Jacob Stump and January Boggs. 

MARRIAGE LICENSES RECORDED IN LEWIS COUNTY. 

1817. Abraham Helmlick and SabraConoly. Jacob Bush and Hannah Fisher, 
Jacob Gibson and Eva Lough. Philip Reger and Elizabeth Wolf, Jonas Crites 
and Catherine McVany, John Curtis and Prudence Cutright, Jonathan Wamsley 
and Hannah Newlon, George Rohrbaugh and Sarah Davis, Abraham Carper 
and Margaret Stewart. Mathew Neely and Mariah Newlon. 

1818. Walter Loudin and Nancy Conaway, William Morrison and Polly 
Bray, Richard Louden and Nancy Lowery, Israel Curry and Fanny Night. 
Silas Bennett and Lucinda Wine, Daniel Hurst and Olive Powers, George Rada- 
baugh and Sarah Heavner, William Davisson and Sarah Carper. Philip Swiger 
and Sarah Cutright, David Jackson and Louise Ball, John W. Westfall and 
Elizabeth Simon. Abraham Stump and Margaret Bush. 

1819. James Pringle and Mary A. Wetherholt, Daniel Haynes and Hannah 
\\'elden, William Cutright and Elizabeth Cutright, Benjamine Baviot and Polly 
Kesling. Thomas C. Roan and Margaret Clark, Jacob Post and Mary Heffner, 
William Lanes and Nancy Lanham, David Hall and Elizabeth Forenash. Pendle- 
ton Drummond and Naomi William, William L. Jackson and Harriet B. Wilson. 

1820. Isaac Allman and Dorothy Malcom, Saul Reger and Mariah Dobson, 



286 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

John Simson and Elizabeth Snider, Augustus Young and Anna Young, Jacob 
Crites and Lucinda Gillet, Daniel Shields and Elizabeth Mills, Joseph Wilson 
and Catherine Holbert, James Teter and Barbary Reger, Thomas Hintzman 
and Deborah Starcher, Soloman Allen and Elizabeth Brady, Henry Lance and 
Elizabeth Radabaugh, George Allman and Barbary Westfall, Henry Peterson and 
Eliza Allan, James Barnes and Rachel Reger. 

1821. Henry Westfall and' Mary Simons, Ananias Crites and McElvaney, 
Zachariah Curtis and Sarah Cutright, Christian Radabaugh and Anna Rohrbaugh, 
Joel Westfall and Priscilla Rollings, Samuel Brannon and Catherine Sleeth, 
Issac Cutright and Casana Cutright, JMartin Burr and Samantha Phillips, 
Joshua Bozworth and Fanny Pemy, Anson Young and Ruhama Barrett, John 
Warner and Ruthy Westfall, Ezra Waid and Sally Gould, Elisha D. Ba'rrett 
and Sarah Peebles. 

1822. George H. Cunningham and Catherine Smith, Benjamine Davis 
and Nancy Brown, Jesse Davis and Abigail Huffman, Alpheus Spore and 
Temperance Bozarth, William McKinley and Anne B. Stringer, Noah Hyre and 
Catherine Kesling, William Hyre and Amelia X'andeavanter, Jacob \'andeavanter 
and Elizabeth Wells, Joseph Gussman and Mary Jackson, Thomas Farnsworth 
and Catherine Simon, William Warner and Obediner Davis, Thomas Aloney- 
penny and Rebecca Waldeck, Thomas Boilen and Nanc}' McNemar. 

1823. William Wetherbolt and Hetty Pringle, Nimrod Reger and Polly ]\Iason, 
John Morrison and Susannah Black, George Nicholas and Laura Allen, Robert 
Dooley and Mary Warner, William Carline and Delila Black, John Hinckle 
and Catherine Strader, Theodore Morgan and Lidia Rude, Oliver House and 
Nancy Gould, William Hall and Lucinda Davis, John Strader and Elizabeth 
Tressel, Joseph Davis and Peggy Clark, Nathaniel Farnsworth and Susanna 
B. Simon, Robert Love and Hannah Westfall, James Malone and Susana Woolf, 
John Bush and Catherine Snider, Sylvanus Rice and Martha Gould. ■*• 

1824. James Ward and Barbara Radabaugh, Elmore Hart and Permelia 
Carper, Aaron Shurtleff and Eliza Gould, Jacob Hefner and Mary Alartin, John 
Reger and Margaret McCoy, Benjamine Radabaugh and Fanny Post, Joseph 
McKinney and Mary Jones, Isaac \'andeavanter and Jane W^ells, Isaac Bozarth 
and Susanna Clark, Daniel Hire and Jane Wells, John Black and Susanna Trich- 
cock, James Clark and Mahala Bozarth, James Kesling and Mary Warmsley, 
John Wetherbolt and Elizabeth Strader, John Thompson and Susanna Melcom, 
John White and Catherine Jackson, Josiah Abbott and Edith Peterson, Elias 
Heavner and Elizabeth Martin, Thomas M. Haymond and Jane Bailey. 

1825. Philip Reger and Rachel Yandeavanter, George Conelly and Mar- 
garet Booliver, James Smith and Mary Clark, John Lorentz and Rachel Reger, 
Gilbert Young and Amaryllis Barrett, George Davis and Sarah Barnett, Jacob 
Rohrbaugh and Elizabeth Hire, Isaac Reger and Eliza McCoy, Daniel Snider 
and Jane Simpson. 

1826. •Benjamine Rohrbaugh and Lucinda Hire, Jacob Reger and Nancy 
Martin. 

1827. Simon C. Bennett and Mary Post, Henry Radabaugh and Glory 
Post, W. D. Smith and Z. McWhorter, W. Abraham Reader and Phoebe Bennett, 
John W. Marple and Ruth Reger, W. W. Gilsen and Jane Malcome, .-Xbraham 
Allman and Winney Crites, Joseph Howes and H. Sinirtliff, ^\'illiam George 
Simons and Elizabeth Foy, James B. Comins and Rachel Westfall. William 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 28T 

Jackson and Sarah Lewis, Martin Strader and Elizabeth Kesling, Jacob Lang 
and Esther Gould. 

1828. Daniel R. Helmick and Mary McNemar, Kinsley Ward and Phebe 
Hevener, James Posey and Barbara Riffle, Isaac Reger and Fanny Love, John 
Howse and Catherine Pringle, Andrew Casto and Rachel Cutright, William 
Lewis and Catherine Simon, Nathan Gould and Semantha Prim, Enoch Cutright 
and Catherine Warner, John W. Gibson and Dorcas Rice. 

1829. John Simons and Barbara Dean, Jeremiah Lanham and Fanny 
Lance, John Shours and Sarah Michel, James Drinnen and Mary Wolf, Henry 
Riffle and Mary Wilson, Jole Kanada and Elizabeth Davis, Abel C. Hickman and 
Rachel Shore, Moses Marple and .lizabeth Bennett, Levi Black and Mary Cut- 
right, John White and Mary Reger, Minter Baily and Sarah Bastable, Arthur 
Bastable and Mrs. Jane Smith, David Bennett and Sarah Hire, Jesse Smith and 
Mary Bennett, William Strader and Fanny Rains, Elicum Warner and Mary 
Slaughter, George Post and Comfort Simons, Bozel Knowlton and Elizabeth P. 
Gould, William Hyre and Lucy M. Reede. 

1830. Adison Neff and Ruth Flesher, Andrew Wolfe and Lydia Smith, 
John Simon and Rachel Hyre, Jacob Strader and Rebecca Kepel, John Shreves 
and Anna Havener, Daniel Phipps and Elizabeth Pringle, Jacob Butt and 
Jemisha Rohrbaugh, Anthony Rohrbaugh and Elizabeth Love, Amos F. Marple 
and Jerminia Currence, Orvin Warner and Betsy Davis, John Kesling and 
Elizabeth Cox. James Black and Laone Shrieve, James Comings and Octaves- 
Stonacre. 

183 1. Richard Williams and Phebe Harris, Hiram Gould and Devina 
Black, William Morrison and Alercy Cozad, Nicholas McVaney and Rebecca 
Reger, Acquilla Osburn and Margaret Hacker, Jacob Starcher and Jane Wolf,. 
John B. Pifer and Rebecca Kesling, Lawrence Mitchel and Drusilla Rohrbaugh, 
Isaac Casto and Dorcas Cutright, Paschal W. Hauerell and Eliza Marple, Abe 
Clark and Charlottte Cutright, A. H. Boggs and lasole Shock, Allen Simpson 
and Nancy Sleeth, John Wilson and Lucy Vincent. 

1832. David D. Casto and Frances Abbott, Samuel H. Wilson and Margaret 
Sims, Edward Moneypenny and Elizabeth Brake, W. D. Radclifif and Margaret 
Brown, Nathaniel Cutright and Naoma Cutright, Joseph Lewis and Susanai 
Parker, Abraham Reger, Jr., and Jemima McCoy. 

1833. A. Armstrong and Margaret Lawson, Marshall Lorentz and Marietta 
McNulty, William M. Haymond and Sarah McCartney, Stephen Hughes and 
Mary Westfall, Isaac Simon and Elima Pringle, Anson Young and Anna Brake, 
G. W. Caplinger and Jane Havener, Jacob Kesling and Charlotte Lanham,. 
William Kesling and Permelia Jack, Levi Radclifif and Nancy Birkhamer. 

1834. Lorentz Bunten and Sarah Parker, Joseph Walker and Mary Fisher, 
William Sextton and Sarah Ann Jackson, David W. Sleeth and Mrs. Susana 
Simpson, John W. Hags and Mary J. Jackson, David O. Haseldon and Louise 
Burr, Aaron Mowry and Sarah Black, Philo Tenny and Rebecca Casto, Henry 
Winemiller and Susanna Westfall, E. G. Burr and Emily Jane Morgan, David 
Fisher and Lydia Springston, John Tenny and Margaret Ours, Peter Lynch 
and Mary Ours. 

1835. Lair Dean and Mahala Crites, C. W. McNulty and Katherine Hyre,. 
Isaac Westfall and Mary Wolf, Jacob Cozad and Laury Eagle, John R. Cunning- 
ham and Elizabeth Wolfe, Moses Bennett and Catherine Crites, Jacob M. Hyre 



^S8 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

and Malinda Havener, Job Hinkle and Margaret H. Jackson, Abraham Reger 

• and Permelia Rohrbaugh 

1836. William Wi. Brake and Nancy C. Norris, Henry I. Jackson and 

-Lyda Reger, Alfred Morgan and Martha Henderson, Anthony Reger and Mrs. 
Mary Lynch, Nicholas Ours and Avis Tenny, Joseph Lance and Mary Crites, 

'George Cutright and Susanna Pringle, Silas Bennett and Rebecca Crites, Alphra 
Costrite and Easter Casto, Gilbert T. Gould and Elizabeth Loomis,Loren M. 
Shurtliff and Electa Philips, Ebenezer Leonard and Wfeathy Gould, John M. 
Rohrbaugh and Matilda Bott, Henry Jackson and Elizabeth Shrieves, Silas Cade 

;and Elizabeth Westfall. 

1837. George Simons and Celia Reger, William Dean and Anna Keisling, 
Michael Strader and Eva Rohrbaugh, John Strader and Mary B. Wolf, Valen- 
tine Strader and Mary Jackson, Abraham Rohrbaugh and Julia Ann Deen, 
John B. Brake and Sophia Loomis, Cyrus Brake and Sarah McAvoy, William 
Butt and Susan Reger, Nathan Reger and Mary Lorentz. 

MARRIAGE LICENSES RECORDED IN BARBOUR COUNTY. 

1839. David T. Wolfe and Elizabeth Keger, George Rohrbough and 
Emily E. Curtis, John Johnson and Catherine Campbell, William O. Gould and 
Rebecca Smith, Benjamin Bassell and Lucinda Norris, John D. Linger and 
ILucinda Crites, Elisha Tenny and Sylva Hows, Abram Crites and Magdaline 
IPringle. Hiram G. Rollins and Rachel Pringle, Owen Westfall and Arena For- 
:inash, John M. Shield and Catherine Hebner, Horace A. Phillips and Susan 
'Cutright. 

1840. David Morrison and Helen Shreve, George Dean and Kiturah Win- 
-grove, Abram Furr and Barbara Pifer, Watson Westfall and Rachel Tenny, 
Joel Casto and Jemima Post, Elmore Cutright and Nancy A. Wolfe. Jehu Ours 
and Drusella Hess, William Warner and Rachael Hess, Robert Curry and Sarah 
Wilson, Martin Westfall and Rebecca Warner, Jesse Lemmons and Rhuama 
Hyer, John T. Davis and Mary Loudin, John J. Vincent and Elizabeth Wilson. , 

1841. Jacob Clark and Susannah Crites, Isaac Rohrbough and Margarett 
Linger, James J. Mooney and Elizabeth P. Westfall, Peter Lewis and Elizabeth 
Abbott, Isaac Post and Emily Carper, John Jack and Catherine Westfall, .\bram 
J. Post and Mary S. Hinzman, David Cutright and Rachael Strader. Forbes 
W. Chipps and Eliza A. Wamsley, Henry Simson and Mary E. Leonard, Henry 

"Wilfong and Catherine Mowry, Elbridge Burr and Jane Jack. 

1842. William S. Brady and Frances J. Lemmons, John W. Abbott and 
Ruth Brady, Jonas Strader and Elizabeth Hinkle, James Herman and Margaret 
Casto, Thomas W. Vincent and Jane Wilson, Zedick Lanham and Elizabeth 
Talbott, Edward Davis and Christena Strader, Robert MacAvoy and Margaret 
Wilson, x\bram Post and Barbary Lance, Abram Hess and Elizabeth Lewis, 
Washington Radclifif and Catherine Hess, Frederick Wilfong and Magdaline 
Cutright, John M. Strader and Rebecca Radabough, Robert Cranville Shannon 
and Rachael Rollins, Archibald Chenoweth and Margaret M. Hyer, George 
A. We-stfall and Mary Ann Cutright, Hezekiah H. Boggess and Mercia Leonard, 
E. J. Colerider and Jemima Reger, Anthony Teets and Emma Dicks, David 
Neely and Susanah Kesling, Amziah Dawson and Sarah .\. L Loudin. Toel 

■W. Westfall and Eliza B. Mills. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 289 

1843. Anthony Rohrbough and Mary Clark, James Curry and Sarah M. ' 
McAvoy, Levi Legget and Rebecca Reger, John C. Cunningham and EHzabeth 
Armstrong, Joseph Fhnt and Sarah J. Hinzman, Jacon Loomis and Chloe Ann 
PhilHps, Abram Hudkins and Mariah L. Morgan, Benjamin Gould and Eliza 

D. Morgan, John Crawford and Mary Wilson. 

1844. George W. Mills and Mary Liggett. Joel P. Crites and Susan Strader, 
Sampson Huffman and Mary Dean, Eli F. Westfall and Rhuhama Cutright, 
James Wells and Louis Havener, George Westfall and Rhuamey Cutright, Mar- 
shall Dean and Alcinda Butcher, Peter L. Smith and Catherine Eskew, Uriah 
Phillips and Mary Rebecca Young, James Dix and Rachel E. Brake, John B. 
Morrison and Polly Heavener. 

1845. James Dix and Rachel E. Brake, Stephen Curtis and Josenah Rhine- 
hart, John B. Morrison and Polly Hersman, Blackwell Jackson and Emily Bird 
Lorentz, Joseph Flint and Mary B. Wolfe, Adam Rohrbough and Susanah Curtis, 
William Mick and Susanah Cutright, Absalom P. Hanney and Dorcas Tenney, 
Salathael Cutright and Bridget Wolfe, Chaney Pringle and Malvina Crites, 
George Talbott and Lavina Wilson, Valentine Hinkle and Matilda Dean, John 
W. Casto and Mary Strader, Edmund D. Rollins and Sarah Reese, George 
W. Miller and Winfred E. Jackson, Reason Queen and Catharine Reed, Wash- 
ington Summers and Samantha Crites. 

1846. Jared Armstrong and Eliza Bennett, Nimrod C. Brake and Mary 
J. Curry, William Curry and Mary C. Wilson, Peter Rusmisell and Cecilia Eagle, - 
Ephriam Thompson and Minerva Jane Dean, Jeremiah Brown and Jemimia Mc- 
Cord, James McGee and Susan A. C. Talbott, Newton B. Barnes and Mary A. 
Wilson, Robert Whitney and Sarah J. McCray, Lewis Maxwell and Sophrona M. ■ 
Wilson, William Winemiller and Martha Abbott, Samuel Armstrong and Anne 
Clark, Simon Roberts and Elizabeth Casto, Anthony Tenny and Rebecca Strader, 
Jacob Ours and Rebecca Casto, Alpheus H. Upton and Elizabeth M. Howell, John 
D Loudin, and Mary Pickens, Nathan Cutright and Susannah Hinkle, Jeremiah 
Lance and Elizabeth Paugh, Peter B. Williams and Sarah E. Lemmons, Samuel 
Winemiller and Louisa Abbott. Philip Reger and Jane McCoy, James Morrison 
and Rachel West, Henry J. :\IcCally and Jane Blagg, David B. Smith and Prucilla 
Smallridge, Major Thorp and Lyda Morgan, Benjamin Chesney and Sindie 
Ann Barb. 

1847. John S. Rohrbough and Nancy A. B. White, John Nelson Loudin and 
Diadena Brake, Joseph D. Rapp and Virginia C. Miller, Earl E. Young and Mary 
Armstrong, Joseph Flint and Sarah J. Hinzman, Jason Loomis and Chloe Ann 

E. Clark, A. W. C. Lemmone and Margaret Hosaflock, David Phillips and 
Esther Etha Gould. George W. Tenney and Ruhama Barb, James W. Wilson 
and Rebecca Westfall, Washington Boggs and Barbara Loudin, Henry Mont- 
gomery and Ours. Isaac Montgomery and Barbara Westfall, David D. Smith and 
Susan Farnsworth, John M. McWhorter and Cozetta Marple, Powell Gould 
Shultz, Mathew W. Bradley and Ann E. C. Wertenbaker, Isaac Ours and Phebe 
Casto. 

1848. William J. Reade and Rachael Dix, William Draw and Sarah F, 
Kiddy, Jacob Teeter and Catherine Loudin. Chapman Herndon and Parmelia 
E, Rohrbough, Warwick G. Harper and Jane Hyre, Eliah W. Bright and Susanah 
Chandler, J. B. Casto and Samantha Marple, James S. Wilson and Ann C. Ferrell, 
Alonzo A. Young and Martha A. Clark. Christian Smith and Jane Carper. 
Nicholas D. Linger and Sarah Clark. Jonathan Jack and Martha McCann. 



290 EORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

MARRIAGE LICENSES ISSUED IN UPSHUR COUNTY, 
FROM 1851 TO i860. 

185 1. Moses H. Bennett and Hannah Warner, Christian Post and Mary 
Marple, Henry W. White and Mary A. Paugh, Lemuel Rollins and Lucinda 
Chipps, William R. Foster and Edith Martin, Adolphus Brooks and Lydia 
Young, Washington M. Gladwell and Mary J. Phipps, Adam Spitler and Caro- 
line A. Janney, Jonathan K. Hedges and Sallie H. Anderson, George Hoback 
and Mary Winemiller, William Casto and Rebecca Westfall, John Hoover and 
Hester A. Wymer, Henry Wilfong and Catherine Cochran, David Little and 
Harriet E. Shreckhise, Michael Hoover and Elizabeth McElvany, Asbury Chipps 
and Elizabecca Cutright, Benjamin Strader and Mary Susan Foster, Solomon 
Dean and Ruth Kesling, Michael B. Wolfenbargerand Mary E. Eakle, Christian 
S. Eakle and Mary Ann Egle, Fenton Payne and Elsy Bunton, Zacariah Harris 
and Mary C. Rowan, William E. Balsley and Mary A. Woods, George Linger 
and Elizabeth Crites, Philander Howes and Cyntha A. Gould. Peter S. Smith and 
Mary A. Wilson, Marshall Tenney and Elmira A. C. Tenney, Charles W. 
Everett and Jemima Fornash, Dana West and Barbara Hyer, Harrison Fury 
and Mary I. Brown, William A. Johnson and Catherine Millee, Ely Wilfong 
and H. E. Vaulters, Archibald Pumphry and Hannah Wilfong, Moses Marple 
and Jane Alexander, Oliver Westfall and Laura Cutright, Marshall Hyer and 
Malissa Simms, Garland I. Ferrell and Celina Sexton. 

1852. Nelson Jones and Martha J. Hinkle, Abraham L. Crites and Mary 
L. Simmons, Thomas Bonor and Catherine Maxwell, John Cutright, Jr., and 
Louisa Cutright. Simon Strader and Parmelia E.Tenney, Simon Howse and 
Ruhamah Cool, James E. Carroll and Ann Lewis Patterson, N. M. Ferrell and 
Caroline Townsend, Henry H. Lewis and Martha A. Harria, A. J. Houghton 
and Sarah A. Crawford, Jonathan Hefner and Angalina Jack, William J. Cal- 
houn and Mary S. Rohrbough, Solomon William and Rachiel Hyer. James H. 
Eskew and Lucinda Crites, Peter Gum and Estaline Johns, Richard H. Parrack 
and Mary F. Wertenbaker, Joseph Jones and Elizabeth A. Smith. John R. 
Foke and Jemimah Bargerhoff, Preston Taylor and Elizabeth Gooden, John 
R. West and Elizabeth Hyre, William H. Williams and Mary S. Colerider. 
James S. Will and Catherine Berlin, Goodman Reger and Juda Kesling, James 
Lawhon and Lorinda Parrack, Nathan S. Hollen and Mary Ann Matheny, 
Mathias J. Mick and Eliza Queen, William F. Haney and Barbara J. Crites. 
George G. Westfall and Drusila S. Williams. James Lewis and Louisa Wood, 
Cornelius Clark, Jr., and Lucinda Young, R. R. Alexander and Mahala Harper. 
Henry J. Taylor and Lona Young, John A. Fester and M. E. Strader, Dexter 
W. Cutright and Julia Ann Kiddy, Chester W. Morgan and Nancy Talbot, 
Joseph Crawford and Lydia M. Eagle, William C. Jones and Susan Celia Rob- 
inson, Jefferson C. Vincent and Leana L. Damron, Thomas P. Desper and 
Roberta J. Clarkson, Clark M. Gooden and Torsey Jane Barb. Thamar Cutright 
and Fanny Lovina Crites, Sylvester B. Phillips and Marcia L. Sumne. 

1853. Asberry L. Crites and Mary E. Horsaflook, John A. Cunningharn 
and Rebecca J. Fleming, Jacob Hare and Annie Young, Samuel Neely and 
Margaret Maxwell, William H. Gregrey and Elizabeth A. Simon, William A. " 
Bostic and Mary Jane Eskew, Joseph Wicks and Rachael C. Miller, William Miles 
and Mary Pumphrey, Thomas A. Reed and Rebecca A. Crites, Benjamin Lance 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 291 

and Mary Hinckle, Jr., James W. Johnson and Amanda L. Bond, Riley Clark ' 
and Jemima Rohrbough, Nimrod Reger and Ann Brown, Armsted L. Queen 
and Julia A. L,ewis, William White and Sarah D. Simon, James D. Simon and 
Martha Lemmons, Joshua Woods and Jemima Reger, Danuel Phipp and Eliza- 
beth Howes, Jacob Ours and Malinda Radebaugh, Jacob Lance and Cinia Post, 
Valerous I. Fiddler and Sarah E. Clarkson, Joseph B. Ambrose and Mary E. 
Hyre, Edward I. Brown and Margaret P. Young, Stephen Norman and Susannah 
Beesley, Jerome B. Williams and Martha A. Hyre, John Dean, Jr., and Salina 
F. Marshall, Elijah Phillips and Alargarette E. Bond, Thomas Vogle and Mary 
Ann Gregory, Hubbard Perry and Harriet Phillips, John G. Dix and Olive 
Brake, William Lawhorn and Carolina M. Gibson, John G. Camp and Mary Ann 
Shores, Jacob Post and Rebecca A. Casto. C. P. Rohrbough and Mary Martha 
Haselden, Henry Wilfong and Martha Pritt, Jonathan Smith and Demeries 
Haskins, William Howlett and J. B. Patterson, Edward Miller and Rachel Bar- 
rickman, Benjamin Stout and Martha Clark, Calvin Boyd and Louisa Curry, 

D. D. L Farnsworth and Mary J. Ireland. William C. Barnett and Mary M. 
Fleming, William W. Warner and Sella Casto, Anthony J. Huffman and 
Lucinda Casto, Jonas McConkey and Sally Ann Lynch, Gilmore Simons and 
Samaria J. Smith. 

1854. Christopher O. Cutright and Barbara A. Crites, Marcellus Hardman 
and Mahala Hyre, John Conrad and Jane V. Perkins, Frederick Hefner and 
Lydia Warner, Anthony Oldacre and Jane Carpenter, Isaac D. Warner and Milla 
Casto, Francis Reeder and Phobe Cutright, Edmund D. Boyles and Nancy 
Romine, John H. Boyles and Ellen Reed, Peter Zinn and Barbara Teter, James 

E. Slaughter and Susan Haskins, E. A. Ceose and Isabella Birch, Abijah Hinkle 
and Jerusha E. Gray, Addison Tenny and Lucinia Ann Tenney, Jacob Fronsman 
and Katherine Kelly, Adolphus Brooks and Josephine Phillips, Simon J. Rohr- 
bough and Margaret Haselden, Jonathan Reese and Sarah E. Grubb, S. D. 
Marten and Mary Susan Browing, Isaac Rollins and Rachel Wamsley, Richard 
White and Barbara Lanham, D."j. Brake and Mary Abel, B. M. Waugh and 
Emily R. Harris, Noah Westfall and Matilda Ann Evans, Philip F. Pinnell 
and Secilia A. Lorentz, Josiah F. Bond and Amanda J. Bond, John Friend and 
Mary Ann Collins, Charles W. Townsend and Frances B. Trimble, Elias Wilt 
And Nancy Westfall, Benj. Rohrbough and Lydia Fultz. John Thurman and 
Margaret M. Carpenter, John D. Tenney and Prudence Reed, Jacob Talbot, 
Jr., and Jenetta F. Ray, Danuel Howes and Rhoda Hunt, Abel Lanaham and 
Nancy Reed, Jacob Conrad Smith and Elizabeth Willoughby, Annanias J. Mont- 
gomery and Amanda Shoulder, Jesse I. Peterson and Martha A. Anderson, 
George W. Mealy and Mary Peck, Levi Clark and Elizabeth Ann Liggett, John 
S. Riblet and Mary Cntes, Philip Eagle and Mrs. Sarah A. Houghton, Randell 
Bartlett and Susannah W. Gawthiop, John W. Eskew and Elizabeth Boggs. 

1855. John J. Miles and Mary Miller, Thomas Grubb and Jane V. jNIaxin, 
George W. Burner and Frances R. Morgan, Creed J. Regney and Rebecca 
Bennett, Henry Cutlip and Elizabeth Burrough, James J. Griffith and Maty 
Alfred Day Woodley and Lavernia A. Lorentz, Marshall Gould and Celestia 
E. Harris, Albinus ]\Iarple and Mary Jane Post, Clark Hess and Keziah Oldacre, 
Perry, George Allman and Mildred C. Brown, Thomas Bise and Mrs. Emily 
E. Wilson, Worthington Sexton and Jane Wingrove, John Dean, Jr., and 
Malildy Fury, Cyrus Chenowith and Susan Reeder, Charles D. Hess and Mary 
Casto, Annanias Casto and Mary Jane Suddarth, John W. Riggleman and M. 



292 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

W. Read, Howard B. Stewart and Susana Kidd. Lorenzo D. Ciitright and 
Malissa Cutright, John L. Smith and Elen E. Clark, John I. Starcher and Susan 
E. Ferrill. Jacob J. Smallridge and Mary E. Johnson. WilHam H. Trask and 
Cornelia E. Wertenbaker, John Casto and Camantha Ann Cutright, James 
Beverly Foster and Meriam Diannah Waugh, Samuel Westfall and Almira Casto, 
Lorenzo D. Lorentz and Ann E. Burr, Moses Greathouse and Eliza J. E. Alex- 
ander, Joseph W. Humphrey and Barbara B. Riffle, Nimrod G. Monday and Jane 
M. Bodkins, Stephen H. Nicholas and Sarah A. Bailey, Daniel S. Squires and 
Amelia Burr, Ira Grave and Sarah Ann McCann, Jacob Bonnett and Jane Warner, 
John W. Browing and and Mary C. C. Shoemaker, William Hornbeck and 
Frances Woods, Danuel H. Sheumaker and Margarett A. E. Pence, James 
Sexton and Lucinda Leonard, Norman E. Elknap and Parthena A. Haymond, 
Lewis E. Price, Jr., and Elizabeth Casto, Elijah Harper and Barbara Strader,- 
Leonard R. Howell and Jemina Wetherholt, Perry S. Crislep and Barbara A. 
Marple, Newton Hess and Carey Ann Oldacre, William Perkins and Sarah A. 
Gould, George M. Shumaker and Mary J. Foster, William M. Martin and G. 
E. Jennings, Silas H. Bailey and Mahala Brake. 

1856. Daniel D. Havener and Barbara Strader, John L. Queen and Mary 
Jane Casto. Granville D. Marple and Eliza Loudin. William W. Jackson and Lucy 
S. Parrack. Alarcellus Smith and Mary M. Ware, Marcellus Lewis and Mary I. 
Johnson, Silas Barb and Anna Roan, Samuel R. T. Alexander and Rebecca 
Deuley, Philo L. Tenney and Olive Black, Lafayette Hinkle and Louisa I. Post, 
William F. Green and Lucy M. Anderson, Jacob Simmons and Sarah Ellen 
Harvey, Mathew J. Kidd and Sarah J. Hodges, Perry Smith and Elizabeth 
Holbert, William B. Gooden and Magdalene Tenney, Wellington B. Loudin and 
Caroline E. Jackson, Jacob Keesling. and Lucy J. Woods, Sam W. Harper and 
Louisa Chipps. George Warner and Rebecca Rohrbough, Almandus Young and 
Caroline Simons, Salathiel Strader and Elizabeth Peck, John B. Ward and Jane 
Waugh, Granville Strader and Sarah Ann Hinkle, William T. Smith, and 
Lucinda Bargerhoff, Eugene T. Summerville and Hester M. Henderson, George 
H. Clark and Eliza S. Wood, Samuel Abel and Mariam Westfall, Peter Tenney, 
Jr., and Mary Jane Moody, Edwin Young and Rebecca H. Bartlette, Marshall 
Smith and Ruth Ware, C. S. Haynes and Rachel Ann Cochran. Howard Rowan 
and Catherine .oilman, James M. Woodson and Elizabeth A. Harrison, Jesse 
S. Cummings and Rebecca Shreve, Branson R. Simon and Elizabeth M. Matheney, 
John H. Hodges and Malissa M. Humphrey, Cyrus Armstrong and Elizabeth M. 
Strader, Seth Williams and Elizabeth Rohrbough, William Hawkins and Caroline 
E. Farnsworth, Henry M. Douglass and Nancy J. Smallbridge, Perry Lewis 
and Isabella W. Harris, Lemuel Rollins and Elizabeth Reese, Abraham A. Smith 
and Nancy Osborne, Nicholas Ours, Jr., and Hettie Ann Bryan, Richard H. 
B. Day and Martha J. Woods, George Hepner and Martha E. Lovett, George 
W. Martin and Rebecca A. Hyre, William Loudin and Laura L. -Anderson, 
John Paugh and Catherine Warner, Adam P. Faught and Jane L. Coiner. Wyatt 
Fitzgerald and Mary Jane Marble, Thomas A. Norvell and Ellen Bean, Byron 
Love and Mary Jane Arnold. Joseph Gould and Lois Howes, Loyal Y. McXvoy 
and Margaret E. Windle, Jacob Waggner and Sarah M. Reynold. 

1857. Nathaniel Marker and Rebecca J. Grimm, James Woods and Juda 
S. Pritt. James W. Hickman and Mary A. Marley, Joseph Sheehan and Elizabeth 
Fogel, Thomas K. Kerr and Louisa V. Hilleary, Martin Hinkle and Olive 

Keesling, Jacob Grifeth and Rebecca Dean, Thomas A. Gegroe and Jane K. 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 293' 

Young, Henry Ours, Jr., and Almira Field, Patrick Durkin and Margaret King, 
David A. Casto and Angelina F. Carickhoff, Andrew Hinkle and Clarissa E. 
Cutright, Patrick Flannigan and Bridgett McDermott, Samuel H. Loudin and' 
Margaret I. Marley, Joseph Little and Catherine Boon, Richard Dodson and Mary 
Barnsgrove, Danuel S. Beahler and Rhuhama Westfall. John Miller and Barbara 
I. Ours, John W. Moody and Julia A. Campbell, Charles W. Queen and Edith 
Hannah, John Paugh and Mary I. Newcom, Alfred Waggoner and Phobe 
McFadden, Nicholas C. Loudin and Mary Jane Reger, James Jones and Ann E. 
Hooker, Salathiel Cutright and Camantha Warner, Francis M. Slaughter and 
Caroline Dean, James Young and Rose Anna McAvoy, Douglass Fitzgerald' 
and Rebecca Brake, Hanson Zickefoose and Margaret Gooden, Danuel Bassel' 
and Louisa M. Burr, Asa Strader and Nancy D. Barr, Edward E. Curry and' ^ 
Lucetta Wilson, Jacob R. Morrison and Hester Cutright, Charles Fomash and' 
Eliza Wood, W. D. Farnsworth and Lucinda Reger, Reuben Lowe and Atlanta 
Kisby, John Ward and Elizabeth Strader, Marshall L. Slaughter and Lottie* 
Hornbeck, John Davis and Eliza Ann Green, Asa Fomash and Louisa Keesling,. 
John M. Pinnell and Catherine L. Farnsworth, Ashley Gould and Rowens M. 
Sexton, William Tenney and Arcadevere Currence, Abram M. Wolf and Tamer- 
Bond. Anthony Simon and Virginia Wetherholt, Marshal! Robeson and Sarah' 
Floyd, John J. Reynold and Barbara Rohr, Anthony Pifer and Harriet V. Heck, 
John Brooks and Pauline Olive Haney, John S. Tenney and Elizabeth Allmari, 
T. A. Chipps and Sarah B. Moss, Peachy H. Reeves and Mary C. Neff, Julius 
Vawter and Emily Smith, John Pringle and Rachiel Cutright, John J. Lemons 
and Elizabeth Crites, A. R. Chipp and Mary J. Cool, Benjamin Harvey and' 
America Stump, William A. Horsaflook and Rebecca A. Simon, John Vande- 
vender and Catharine Hyre, Squire B. McCan and Roxany Gould, Lothrop- 
Phillips and Charlotte Bean, William Bargerhoflf and Sallie Casto, Martin H. 
Black and Catharine E. Currence, Reason D. Queen and Rebecca Clark, Jacob' 
Miller and Sarah Pumphrey. 

1858. George W. Currence and Rebecca A. Tenny. William Bryan and' Julia' 
Ann Ours, James Lowe and Malissa Jackson, Samuel Bowyer and Mary A. 
Bambridge, Stephen W. Marteny and Sarah S. Boatwright, Marshall Reger 
and Mary Elizabeth Hinkle, Sampson M. Gordon and Nancy Keesling, Edwin- 
Perry and Ann M. Thomas, Joseph Lewis and Nancy Crislip, William L. Barb 
and Ann E. Riggs, G. M. Heavener and Barbara Ann Neff, Jacob Sargent and 
Letha E. Simon, Jacob Rohr and Docia A. Reynolds, Chapman McCoy and Maria 
S. Douglass. C. W. Armstrong and Eliza Curry. Blackwell Sims and Hannah 
Rise, Nathan W. Perrine and .lizabeth Brown, Nebemiah Carper and Abizaell 
Bennett, Alex Whitley and Sophia L. Neely. James W. Wentz and Lucy P. C. 
Harris, Wilmot Starthy and Anna Bowers, George Phillips and Olive B. Reed, 
Nekerva Hartwell Gocke and Mary Virginia Mullins. Stuart Hyre and Martha 

E. Crites. Philo L Tenney and Ruth Dernass. David Queen and Rebecca Love, 
Amos Samples and Caroline M. Cunningham, Alfred M. Smith and Martha 

F. Willoughby, Francis S. Kittle and Eliza Jane Tenny, William G. Ward and 
Sarah Brooks, Benj. Conlev and Lydia Westfall. Greenberv F. Broging and 
Eliza Ann Breeder. Edwin C. Hyre' and Mary E. Rakes, C. G. Von Bonhirst 
and Olive Lorentz, A. W. Cunningham and Frances A. Clarkson, Daniel J. Carper 
and Sarah E. Ireland, Giedon Hoover and Sarah J. Browing, Mearbeck Ours 
and Martha Bryan, William Lowther and Martha Hop, Marshall L. Rohrbough 
and Margaret McNulty, Robert C. Ferrill and Louisa D. Young, Benjamin 



294 FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

F. Oriidoff and Amanda Crawford, X. R. Borough and Sarah M. Snider, Enoch 
W. Post and Sarah F. Hotsepiller, John M. Cunimings and Sallit A. Strader, 
Amoc C. Cutright and Elizabeth Simon, Anson Rice Jack and Emily Hefner, 
Jeremiah Paugh and Jane Neel}-, Abram Bennett and Elizabeth Meek, Marshall 
Strader and Lydia Lamb, Clayton P. Cutright and Catharine Crites, Benjamin 
F. Clarkson and Mary A. Bartlett, John T. Hyer and Elizabeth C. Hotsepillar, 
Haseldon Ours and Christena Rowan. 

1859. James H. Keen and Jane Cox, Samuel Lane and Louisa Weather- 
holt, Montiville Reger and Sarah Carper, Perry C. Lewis and Margaret Johnson, 
Job Simon and Elizabeth Cutright, Wiliam S. Loudin and Mary V. Brake, Naihan 
Smith and Barbara Westfall, James Green and Minerva A. Riffle, George W. 
Foster and Melvina Reed, Davis K. Johns and Elizabeth Lunceford, Granville 
Post and Rachael C. Conley, Enoch Westfall and Emma V. Conley, James 
Long and Ellen Winemiller, Robert C. Shakleford and Lucy Hodges,' William 
Cunnington and Eda Finley, James Jannett and Irmino C. Wilson, Thos. J. 
Farnsworth and Mary E. Carper, Oliver Abels and Rebecca J. Grimes, Calvin 
Cutright and Amanda Cutright, Joseph B. Peters and Harriet Murphy, Peter 
A. Folks and Margaret Simmons, Levi Curkendall and Kezarah Greathouse, 
Aaron Ligget and Sarah E. Hammer, William L. Simmons and Sarah J. Fret- 
well, James Gower and Rebecca Warner, Nath. Rohrbough and Pricilla Warner, 
Addison E. Marple and Marietta Casto, Jacob Hunt and Jane Crites, .Alex. 
A. Haughton and Ann S. Phillips, Leonard J. Rexroad and Sally A. Phillips, 
Henry Williams and Virginia Hyre, James W. Windle and Elizabeth McAvoy, 
Frances Gilmore and Lucy Jackson, Marcellus Bennett and Christena E. Eakle, 
Joseph Little and Elizabeth F. Hays, Columbus Phillips and Elizabeth Thomas, 
Moses H. Bennett and Mary Barton, Philip Crites and Barbara J. Simon, New- 
ton G. Shreve and iMartha Harper, James A. Watson and Amanda Shreve, 
Douglass Johns and Elizabeth Fleming, Gideon Wilson and Lydia M. Curry, . 
George Phipps and Margaret Smallridge, Elza Garrett Oldacre and Sarah E. 
Reed, Nelson W. Wingfield and Selvina Harlin, Abraham S. Blagg and Emily 
M. Armstrong, George M. Shumaker and Virginia Stump, Thomas Bise and 
.Mary Meek, Egbert Reed Watson and Bettie Kent, F. H. Martin and Mary 
Smith, John J. Wyatt and Celia J. Gould, Granville D. White and Rebecca 
Matheney, John Hinkle and Celia Warner, Perry Simon and Eliza Young, James 
W. Smith and Nancy Garvin, . 

i860. Samuel Morrison and Henrietta Graves, Johnson Smith and Eliza- 
beth IMorrison, Allen J. Keesling and Louisa J. Dean, Henry E. Carter and 
Samantha Reed, Samuel Toppen and Mary A. Coyner, John W. Alexander 
and Catherine R. White, George ]\I. Horner and Roanna Oldacre, M. J. Fogg 
and Susan E. Fretwell, Noah S. Hyre and Martha EKnkle, Mathew Davis and 
Ann Bready, Solomon Holland and Helen M. Janney, Fieldon Reed and Sarah 
C. Dunbar, Nathan Heavner and Sidney June Strader, Jacob Hanline and Hester 
A. Lemon, Richard Warner and Mary S. Alexander, George ^^^ Haskins and 
Sarah J. Harris, Samuel Smallridge and Nancy Smith, John C. Robinson and 
Lydia A. McDonald, Stephen M. Casto and 2\Iary Black, E. C. Robinson and 
Almira A. Marple, Robert A. Curry and Margaret E. Bartlett, Morrison Cayton 
and Susan Reger, James Green and Maria Loudin, William R. Lowe and 
Marietta Mowery, John Simmons and Nancy Killingsworth, John W. Mick 
and Mary A. Price, W. W. Killingsworth and Marth I. Bryan, John Fultz and 
Leah Waugh, William C. Bennett and Mary Reeder, Thomas A. Grove and 



FORMATION OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 295 

Nancy M. Foster, Jasper Lanham and Sarah Radabaugh, Taylor Hyre and Mary 
Williams, Jasper N. Marteney and Barbara Harris, Burget Jett and Sarah Ann 
Oldacre, William Wentz and Cornelia F. Sandridge, George S. Riffle and Martha 
Ann Strader, Jacob Heavner and Lydia A. Foster, Minor Keesling and Lucinda 
Radabaugh, David Fitzpatrick and Louisa Keesling, William L. Tenney and 
Nancy Moody, Granville Dean and Sally A. Lewis. Daniel Lee and Mary Jane 
Eakle, John Ware and Malinda J. Pritt, Aquilla Osborne and Mary E. Tallman, 
William Wilfong and Lucy J. Shipman, Isaac White and Mary V. Day, Henry 
F. Eagle and Julia S. Childress, Peter T. Lynch and Elizabeth A. Tallman, 
John N. Tenny and Rachel Demoss, Jacob Radabaugh and Nancy Bezlee, Jacob 
D. Warner and Sarah E. Lawman, John C. Murphy and Mary Cox, Henry O. 
Hyre and Emma J. Brown, Benj. C. Wyatt and Deborah M. Crites, Samson 
Hinkle and Sarah Jane Musgrave, James Freil and Elizabeth Post, Jacob C. 
Keister and Inababa Brake, Robt. R. Winfield and Sarah J. Harlam, Minter J. 
Jackson and Harriet Cummings, Herbert Phillips and Mary F. Carter, Homer 
Crites and Thankful Tenney, Mathew A. Manley and Delea A. Floyd, Noah 
McCally and Phoebe Bennett, Jasper N. Westfall and Jane Reese, Robert P. 
McAvov and Martha See. 



CHAPTER XX. 



UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 

Upshur county people held firm convictions against the institution of slavery. 
The economic condition and the political beliefs of these our countrymen embar- 
rassed its spread and early uprooted its weak hold in our midst. 

The first and largest slave holders in the country were Jacob Lorentz, whose 
acute financial observation among the plantations of Virginia told him of the gain 
and profit of slave labor, and Abram Carper, whose wife, a Miss Harness of near 
Moorefield, received from her parental ancestors through and by the laws of in- 
heritance, two black men and black women. 

Mr. Lorentz kept his negroes until the violence of the approaching war 
advised him to make sale of them. Mr. Carper being religiously opposed to slave- 
dom, sought an opportunity to free his blacks and when, in 1833, permission 
of all parties interested was secured, Mr. Carper gave the negroes their freedom. 

The strong infusion of puritan immigration, its unchangeable affinity for 
everything in yankeedom, and its amplitude of courage and ability to contend for 
the right, gave believers and actors in the slave business here their roughest 
sailing and hottest pursuit. 

The children of the first settlers as their parents had revelled for decades 
in wild personal liberty. They would not give up their personal freedom, neither 
would they ask any other human to do it. Passive in their opposition, they were 
ready on notice to join hands with the yankees and uphold the integrity of the 
nation. 

An incident occurred in the election of 1856 that exposed the smouldering 
live coals of the "Yanks." Some nine or ten citizens of French Creek cast their 
ballots for John C. Freemont and Free Socialism. This commendable act brought 
into print in the Herald of Weston, Va., whose publishers were H. J. Tapp and 
B. P. Swayne, an article condeming vehemently the action of these voters. To 
give the generations unacquainted with these opposing local sentiments at the time, 
some knowledge of their acidity and bitterness we produce in toto the article 
written December i, 1856, and reply thereto: 

(Article copied from The Her.^ld published in Weston, Va., by H. J. Tapp 
and B. P. Swayne. Written December i, 1856.) 

INFAMOUS. 
We give below the names, not of the sacred nine, but of the infamously 
immortal nine who at the late election on French Creek in Upshur county cast 



UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 297 

their votes for the Freemont Electors. Such flagrant anti-slavery action here 
in Virginia was unexpected to us. That there should be residents amongst us 
who have imbibed the abolition sentiment elsewhere, and still retain them in 
acquiescent silence is no matter of surprise. 

"For Faith, fanatic faith, once wedded fast to some black falsehood hugs 
it to the last." But that they should come out thus boldly and avow their ad- 
herence to principles and men so odious to public sentiment, and so inimical to 
our interests, is a matter of astonishment, and exhibits a fanatic recklessness, 
a total disregard for our institutions, and a social and political depravity which 
must arouse the indignation of the people and visit them with the burning rebuke 
of public contempt. 

Inflated with vanity which ever flows from ignorance, and with hearts pul- 
sating in unison with those in the north professing a melting sympathy for the 
African in the south, whose condition is frequently, if not generally better than 
their own, they publicly exhibit their odious sentiments, and disgrace the county 
and state by the record of such votes as must elicit the praise of such scoundrels 
as Greely, Smith, Sumner, and their beloved brother Fred Douglass. 

The fact of their not being citizens of our state by birth, is no paliation. 

They have seen fit to take up their residence in Virginia, a state whose loyalty 
to the constitution stands pre-eminent in the history of our country, and of which 
they should be proud, and they are bound by common courtesy, and by the duty 
which involves upon strangers in any community, to sacrifice such of their 
prejudices as may be repugnant to those whose home they have voluntarily sought ; 
and more particularly here in Virginia to sacrifice those fanatic opinions which 
are at variance with our laws and opposed to the institutions of a portion of our 
country, existing as they do under the sanction of the constitution. 

We regret, deeply regret, that there should be in our midst those who sym- 
pathize with a sectional party in the north, whose greatest ambition is to encroach 
upon our institutions, and who, in the madness of their fanatic hate, stealthily 
seek to jeopardize a property guaranteed to us as sacredly by the constitution, 
as is the right to them and to us of worshiping God according to the dictates 
of our own conscience. 

Adopting this in their home, they are bound by everything that is honorable 
among men, socially, morally and politically, to acquiesce in our laws, and to 
do no violence to them by conservation, or exercising their right of suffrage in 
favor of a party composed of all the antagonistic elements of the south, and whose 
energies have ever been directed against our interest, is little short of treason to the 
state, and merits and must receive the condemnation of all good citizens. 

Educated in the fanatic schools of Yankeedom, imbued with the prejudices 
which are the disgusting characteristics of those agitators who disclaim all 
allegiance to the constitution and aspire to illegal power through a triump over 
the south, they have the imprudence — the brazen-faced effrontery, here in Virginia, 
to speak their odious and seditious sentiments through the ballot box, and attempt 
to infuse their abolition poision into the minds of our people. 

Should such incendiary manifestations be tolerated in our midst? Can our 
interests thus openly be attacked by those emissaries of northern fanatics who 
reflect the worst features of abolitionism, and who have no sympathy with our 
institutions? These are questions which we as one, were it not for our belief that 
their present insiginificance number, and that their influence will be confined by 



298 UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

the intelligence of our people to its present contemptible limit, would have no 
hestitancy in answering the negative. But still 

"Their names — their human names — to every eye 
The climax of all scorn should hang on high, 

Exalted above their less abhorred compeers, 
And festering in the infamy of years." 

Dr. Amos Brooks, Alva Brooks, John Phillips, Jason Loomis, Franklin 
Phillips, Gilbert Young, Adolphus Brooks, William Loomis, David Phillips 
and J. T. Brooks. 

A reply to this editorial written by Dr. Amos Brooks. 

Messrs Editors: 

A few weeks ago I was shown an editorial in your dirty sheet with the word 
INFAMOUS for a caption. You profess to give the names of nine who voted 
the Republican ticket, and then give ten. In the first place let me say to you 
that I do not nor can not object to having my name published thus, and am so 
far satisfied. But your remarks thereon deserve a passing notice. I regret that 
I am not at liberty to answer you in courteous language, and reason the case 
with you. 

You have taken a position outside of civilization, and to do so might be 
casting "pearls before swine." 

Let me tell you that had you read the Republican platform you might have 
seen that it was only advocating "Free Soil" for the Territories. I suppose 
you had not seen it and may be properly called a Political Blockhead. If you had 
read it and knew what it contained, perhaps you might with propriety be called 
a Political Knave. After letting off a shower of gas, which shows your depravity, 
ignorance, and want of truth and accuracy, you threaten us with Judge Lynch ! 
This shows your ignorance of the nature of things. Just as though Judge Lynch 
could hold jurisdiction in such a place as French Creek! You might possibly 
steal a march on~some of us as Cain did Abel, or Bully Brooks did Sumner. 

It seems the south is influenced by "Higher Law,, with a vengeance. It ap- 
pears that if any one independently uses his constitutional and legal prerogatives 
he may be in danger of being lynched. He offends against "Higher Law." Yes, 
Higher law of the south is far above civilization, constitution, and civil law. It is 
savage despotism. Witness the cases of Strickland & Co., New Orleans, and 
Prof. Heddreck and numerous other cases. The thousands of Republicans 
were in danger of being lynched if they attempted to form Republican tickets 
of election in all the southern states. Is not this "Higher Law"? 

You speak of the "interests of the south," of the institutions of the south, 
in the plural number. I know that the one institution of slavery exists in the 
south, but what is the other, or others? Now, Sirs, you ought to know that the 
great majority of Republicans do not wish or propose to interfere with slavery 
in the states ; therefore, slavery is not in danger. But I ask again, what other 
"institution" is in danger? 

Is the pleasure of producing and raising yellow boys and girls for the southern 
market in danger? Is it not a fact that sexual intercourse prevails to a consider- 
able extent in Virginia? Note the high prices of the half-bloods, the three- 



UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 299 

quarter-bloods, etc. Will Freesoilism curtail the profits? Did not the RiclTmond 
Enquirer, in an editorial a few years since, say that if all the slaves that were 
three-fourths white were set at liberty, three-fourths of the slaves in Virginia 
would be freed? Well, Virginia must be a dignified and notable state, if a large 
share of her income arises from the sale of the base admixture. The press of 
Virginia must surely be the palladium of Liberty if she advocates such liberty. 

Are you too thick-skulled to know that if the freedom of speech, and of the 
press, and of the Ballot Bo.x is taken from the people, then there can be no repub- 
licanism ? But it seems you are striving to have it so. Are you then not a traitor ? 
If so, do you not deserve the fate of traitors? If Arnold deserved to be shot, 
do you not deserve to be hung? If Arnold deserved the leather, do you not 
deserve the gibbet? 



I wish you to ptiblish the above as a reply to the article in the Herald of 
December i. But if you decline doing so, please keep it carefully and read it 
attentively two or three times per week. Please read it to the officers of the bank. 

Let me just make you one offer, to wit : If you will come and sit at my 
feet, I will endeavor to teach you the first principles of civilization and Repub- 
licanism on condition of being well paid. 

The sentiment of the "immortal nine" as expressed in the voting at French 
Creek in the general election of 1856 was seed sown in a fertile soil. The 
scandulous and unwarranted attack upon these gentlemen in the exercise of 
their sovereign rights brought out their virtues and the virtues of the cause 
which they represented. Agitation became rife. Debates were frequent. Dis- 
cussion was continuous. So that in the election of i860 the feelings and opinions 
of the citizens of Upshur county were pre-eminently favorable to the principles and 
platform of the Republican party. To the partisan in a greater degree than to 
the statesman and publicist, this new party was the wooden horse that would 
enter the gates of the south and destroy the bullwarks of slavery. In it and 
through it, their highest hopes for unity of the nation and the perpetuity of our 
country would be attained. While the local vote for Abraham Lincoln, for Stephen 
A. Douglass, for John C. Breckenridge, for John Bell of Tennessee would give no 
sign as to the results of the presidential contest, yet the results were duly antici 
pated, and the great commoner for whom the poet of that day sings : 

The uncleared forest, the unbroken soil, 

The iron bark, that turns the lumberer's axe. 

The rapid that o'erbears the boatman's toil, 

The prairie, hiding the mazed wanderer's tracks. 

The -Ambushed Indian, and the prowling bear ; 

Such were the needs that helped his youth to train : 
Rough culture ! — but such trees large fruit may bear. 
If but their stocks be of right girth and grain ! 
was elected. 

From the time of Lincoln's election until the date of his inauguration general 
apprehension obtained throughout the nation. And those sections which had most 
earnestly and vehemently supported their candidate and favorite were worked 



300 UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

up into paroxysms of fear and trembling. Rumors of secession were borne 
irom the southland on the wings of the wind. War, dreadful war, was threatened, 
if an effort should be made by the incoming administration to uphold the consti- 
tution and maintain the national integrity. Abraham Lincoln in his long, thought- 
ful inaugural address stated emphatically, yet modestly, his intention to enforce 
the law, to stand by the Constitution and to preserve the integrity of the union. 

Upon this declaration, and fanciful ideas of the future course of the adminis- 
tration toward the institution of slavery, the southern confederacy was formed 
and sectional prejudice was ablaze. War was inevitable. And Upshur's people 
stood loyally for the continuity of the nation saying ever in their actions and in 
their deeds, give us union or give us nothing ! 

The first manifestation of suppression to the union sentiment in Upshur 
country occurred in the month of May, 1861, when Maj. Albert Reger, of Philippi, 
in command of a confederate force came to Buckhannon and made threats that 
the star and stripes that proudly floated to the May breezes from the court house 
tower must be handed down. This effort to pull down old glory which reflected the 
•sentiment of Upshur's citizenship met with defeat through the wise and sagacious 
intervention of Rev. John W. Reger and band of loyal union supporters. This 
action on the part of the southern sympathizers from the adjoining county of 
Barbour, produced results, immediate in action and far reaching in consequence. 
Our people rose up as a solid phalanx against the intrusion upon their rights. 
Bitter passion was begotten in the breasts of the contending parties, so that when 
•Col. Turk made his entry into the county on June 25, 1861, and reached Buck- 
hannon on the following day he was greeted with shot and shell that indicated 
the full intention of this people to fight for the integrity of the union. At the 
Hidgeway grist mill, now the Anchor Mill, the home guard, organized by Capt. 
Henry F. Westfall and N. G. Munday, contested very bitterly the invasion of 
the confederates upon this soil. Our forces were overpowered and had to seek 
safety in retreat. In the effort to hie away from the confederates' superior num- 
"bers and seek protection from them, two of the home guards were captured on 
the Clarksburg and Buckhannon turnpike on the hill above the present home 
of Luther Martin. A. G. Kiddy and James L. Jennings were taken prisoners 
there on the 26th day of June, 1861, and rushed away to Tygarts Valley, 
McDowell and Staunton where they were incarcerated in a southern prison, 
"held as homages for a northern favor. (The story of their imprisonment as 
told by A. G. Kiddy is given in full in another place.) As Col. Turk departed 
from this scene of action he was embarrassed at frequent points along the road 
by a guerillla warfare, which reached its climax on the mountain going down 
to the Middlefork river. There a number of citizens had gathered for 
the purpose of making one final effort to rescue their friends and neighbors 
who had lately been captured. The effort failed. The only damage done was the 
killing of two or three confederates which so aroused the entire confederate 
escort of the prisoners that all that day the citizen-body was pursued with blood- 
hounds and unfriendly foes. The next military demonstration occurred in the 
first days of July, when a strong Federal force, fully ten thousand, landed in the 
town of Buckhannon and remained here a few days to insure our people their de- 
sire to protect their property and person. This force encamped in that part of the 
town of Buckhannon now know as Quality Hill. The headquarters of Gen. W. 
S. Rosecranz and Geo. B. McClellan were near by the large chestnut tree in 
the back yard of Geo. L. Munday. They remained over the nation's natal birth- 



UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 301 

day, the Fourth of July, which was celebrated with a pageantry of military power 
and a simplicity of service that burned deep into the heart and memories of the 
youth who attended it. 

On the 7th or 8th of this month this large military force left the county, 
going in the direction of Beverly and reaching Rich Mountain on the loth of 
July, where they had a bitter encounter with the Confederate force under Gen. 
John Pegram. 

CONFEDERATE RAID UNDER JENKINS. 

In the months of August and September, 1862, the brilliant Confederate 
Cavalryman, General A. G. Jenkins, with five hundred and sixty horsemen made 
a dashing raid through West Virginia and Ohio. The first point of attack con- 
templated was Beverly. But the Federal forces learning of his approach on that 
place made preparations and re-enforcements to give him ample reception, if 
not an ignominous defeat. Before his arrival at that town Jenkins learned of the 
plan to destroy and if possible annihilate his force and he abandoned this plan 
and moved to Buckhannon. Of his contemplated attack and march to Buckhannon 
his report of the expedition written September 19, 1862, says: 

"I was at the time under the impression that the enemy had but 450 men 
at Beverly, and intended to attack him at that point ; but hearing that General 
Kelly had reached there with 1500 men, I determined, if possible, to ascertain 
its correctness. For this purpose we used every effort to capture some of the 
enemy's scouts as we approached Huttonville, and when within five or six miles 
of the latter place, we succeeded in doing so. Of the enemy's scouting party of 
six we captured two and killed one, the latter being one of the two brothers named 
Gibson. We endeavored to take him alive, but he refused to surrender and resisted 
to the last. From the two prisoners I learned that General Kelly was certainly 
in Beverly with some 1,500 men. In the meantime I had been communicating 
with Imboden who was at Cheat Mountain with a small force, and with whom 
I had contemplated a co-operation. But the enemy's force being nearly twice 
as large as ours, made even a combined attack impracticable. I now determined, 
if possible, to throw my force in General Kelley's rear, and learning that an 
immense amount of supplies, and several thousand stands of arms had been 
collected at Buckhannon, I concluded to strike at that point. To effect this we 
had to cross Rich Mountain by a mere bridle path, or rather trail, which was 
often undiscoverable, and which for thirty miles passed through the most perfect 
wilderness I ever beheld. It was indeed an arduous task for men and horses. 
Some of the latter were completely broken down and left behind, and a few of 
the men were also physically unable to make the march and returned to General 
Loring's camp. After twenty-four hours of continuous marching, with intervals 
for rest, we suddenly entered upon the fertile country watered by the tributaries 
of the Buckhannon river. Here we halted, and after a few hours for rest and food, 
we proceeded down French Creek toward the town of Buckhannon. The popula- 
tion along this creek is among the most disloyal in all Western Virginia. We 
emerged so suddenly from the mountains, and by a route hardly known to exist, 
and if known, deemed utterly impassable for any number of men, that the inhabit- 
ants could scarcely comprehend that we were Southern troops." 

For several days prior to Jenkin's arrival rumor of his coming had spread 
over the entire county and the nervous tension and excitement of the people were 



302 UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

great. This anxiety had continued so long and so often before his coming that 
the people had branded the reports as false and settled down to quietude and peace. 
On August 29, definite information was received at headquarters in Buckhannon 
that Jenkins was really coming. Hasty preparations were made for his reception. 
The forces called into service on this occasion were Company E, Tenth Virginia, 
afterward the Tenth West Virginia Infantry, numbering about sixty men, under 
Capt. Marsh, and the Upshur Battery and Company E, West Virginia Light 
Artillery and the Home Militia under Capt. N. G. Munday, field operations under 
Lieut. T. G. Farnsworth. This last Military corps was not equipped regularly 
because they were not in regular service. Like Cincinnatus of old, they came up 
from their fields of corn and grass with their shot guns, muskets and rifles on 
their shoulder to fight for their homes. 

On the morning of August 30, these Federal forces moved out to entrench 
themselves on Battle Hill (where the water tank now stands), and were surprised 
to find that eminence in possession of the Confederates. Immediately, they re- 
ceived orders to throw up temporary breastworks of rails, logs straw stacks, 
and other material and present themselves for battle. Jenkins seeing the disposi- 
tion and intention of the Federal forces to fight, ordered an attack. Volley after 
olley was poured into the Federal ranks as they stood behind their temporary 
protection and reciprocated by shot ; dauntlessly they held their positions en- 
deavoring to drive back Jenkin's men. Mounted and unmounted they fought 
until a time when the Confederate fire was too hot for them to further withstand 
it and they beat a hasty retreat. The wounded of this battle were Henery Dight, 
regimental clerk of Company E, a little Englishman, Marion Rose, Daniel Cut- 
right, Henry Reger, and Andrew Black, of the Upshur Battery. For the purpose 
of caring for these wounded the new residence of Miflin Lorentz, county clerk of 
Upshur county, on Locust street, now the residence of Hiram Piles, was converted 
into a hospital and Dr. J. R. Blair, assistant surgeon of the Tenth, now acting as 
surgeon, was left to give them medical attention. Rose and Black died in twenty- 
four hours. Dight lived about ten days. 

Our troops were overpowered and scattered in every direction, usually going 
in spuads of four to ten, in all haste to avert a wholesale and complete destruction. 
Some plunged in and swam the river above Buckhannon near where the Gififin 
Saw Mill now stands, others hied away to the woods and still others down the 
road leading in the direction of Clarksburg, which they hoped to reach and secure 
help and succor. *One bunch of five or six of the Upshur Battery ran across the 
hil! by Jacob Dean's, contemplating striking the Buckhannon and Clarksburg 
turnpike at the Dix farm and hasten on to Clarksburg. These were 
intercepted by a few cavalrymen who rushed their horses at full speed 
down pike and returned through the fields by the Dean place The 
Upshur Battery boys saw their danger and readily concluded that their 
safety lay in throwing their guns into the Buckhannon river and betaking 
themselves as rapidly as they could swim to the other shore. This feat of swim- 
ing while it lost them their guns and come near losing one of their lives by drown 
ing took them out of sight of the enemy and saved them from capture. 



* William Hornbeck, William Burr, John Tenney and G. S. Outright composed 
this bunch. William Burr was seized by a cramp when midway of Buckhannon river, 
and G. S. Outright brought him to shore with the help of a white walnut pole, pulled 
him behind some trees and went on. 



UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 303 

The town was turned over to Jenkin's men who searched, pillaged, piled 
up and burned all the arms and ammunition left by the Federals in the basement 
of the court house which was the depot of supplies. The stores were ransacked 
and everything of value was either carried away or destroyed. Our informant 
tells us that at numerous points on Main street bonfires were had and guns, 
goods, furniture, boxes, wagons and every discription of personal property was 
contributed to increase and continue the blaze during the night of August 31. 
It was on this occasion that the brass cannon of which our older citizens have 
heard and know much about was thrown into the court house well by some of 
Jenkin's men. As late as 1886, Sheriff J. J. Morgan while cleaning out the court 
house well took out from the bottom fully one-half gallon of niinnie balls which 
had been rusting in the wet quick sand for twenty-five years. 

Quite a number of the Federals engaged in this conflict were captured, 
among them being Capt. Marsh who was at once paroled by Jenkins. 

IMBODEN AND JONES' RAID. 

The raid under J. D. Imboden, impetuous, cunning and destructive, was 
the largest military parade of Confederates that entered the confines of Upshur 
county. General Roberts was in command of the Federal forcers in and around 
Buckhannon. On learning of the intention of Imboden to make a dash through 
this section of the country and knowing that his numbers were far superior 
to those under his immediate commandment, he hastened to do everything that 
would check and defeat the success of Imboden. After his victory over the 
Federals of Beverly, General Roberts issued an order before his advent into the 
county that upon his arrival the covered bridge leading from the main town 
of Buckhannon to the Island and the one at Post's Mill should be burned. Of 
this manoeuvring, skirmishing, purchasing and driving away stock and other 
depredations committed during this campaign no better or more authorative 
account can be given than that in the words of Colonel George R. Latham in 
his official report before Beverly and of Colonel John D. Imboden, the comman- 
dant of the raid. Therefore we give and append their official report . 



In his official report Colonel Latham says: 



"I took a strong position on the south side of the town of Beverly, command- 
ing the entire valley and the Staunton turnpike above, but flanked by back ridges 
on each side. About 2 o.clock the action was opened with artillery and infantry 
skirmishing at long range. A large force of the enemy's cavalry and part of his 
artillery were now seen advancing on the back road west of the valley, toward 
the road leading from Beverly to Buckhannon, and actually turning our right. 
This movement it was impossible for us to counteract, though the river intervening 
we were not in much danger of an actual attack from this force. The object of 
this movement was to prevent our retreat toward Buckhannon. Three regiments 
of his infantry were at the same time continually advancing through the woods, 
pressing back our skirmishers toward our front and left, his artillery playing 
directly in front, with two regiments of infantry in reserve. At 4 p. m. the 
action had become quite brisk along our line ; our skirmishers were driven in 
on our front, and the enemy had advanced within canister range. The commands 



r304 UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

of his officers could be distinctly heard, and he was pressing well beyond our 
left. Shortly after this I received orders to fall back. I immediately set my 
train in motion; destroying my public stores of all kinds, and about 5 p. m. 
drew off my forces. The movement was executed in perfect order, and though 
the enemy pressed our rear for six miles, and twice charged us with his cavalry, 
there was no confusion, no hurry, no indecent haste. His cavalry charges were 
handsomely repulsed and he learned to follow at a respectful distance. We 
marched nine miles, and having gained a safe position, rested for the night, 
our pickets and those of the enemy being a mile apart." 

The next morning the Federals continued their retreat to Belington, thence 
to Philippi where they camped over night, and the next day. April 26, reached 
Buckhannon, where other Union forces were gathered, making a total of 2,800, 
which was sufficient to have stopped the advance of Imboden, especially as Gen- 
eral Mulligan was holding his own in Barbour county, and keeping back the 
Confederates who were trying to reach Philippi. But the Union troops at Buck- 
hannon were ordered by General Roberts to retreat to Clarksburg, and the way 
was open for Imboden to advance, and he was not slow in taking advantage 
of it. No better history of the raid, as it affected Randolph and Upshur counties, 
had been written than that contained in General Imboden's official report from 
which the following somewhat lengthy extract is taken, beginning with the 
march from Huttonsville toward Beverly: 

"It continued to rain all night, and the morning of the 24th was one of the 
most gloomy and inclement I ever saw. At an early hour I started all my in- 
fantry down through the plantations on the east side of the river, where they 
were joined by four guns of my battery seven miles above Beverry. The cavalry 
and a section of artillery took the main road on the west side of the river, under 
Colonel George W. Imboden with orders as soon as they discovered the enemy 
to be in Beverly to press forward and gain possession of the road leading to 
Buckhannon, and cut off retreat by that route. About five miles above Beverly 
the cavalry advance met a man, who, as soon as he saw them, tied. They fired 
upon him, but he escaped. It turned out to be the bogus state sheriff of Randolph 
county, named J. F. Phares, who, though shot through the lungs, succeeded in 
reaching Beverly and gave the alarm. 

"About the same time on the east side of the river we captured a storage 
train and its escort. I learned from the prisoners that the enemy was in ignorance 
of our approach; but as soon as Phares reached town and gave the alarm, the 
whole force was drawn up to fight us. About a mile above the town they opened 
upon the head of my column with artillery. On reconnoitering their position, 
I found them strongly posted on a plateau fifty or sixty feet above the river bottom 
and commanding it and the road for more than a mile so completely that an attack 
then would probably involve the loss of hundreds of my men before I could reach 
them. I at once resolved to turn their position by making a detour of over two 
miles across a range of steep and densely wooded hills, and attempt to get round 
to the north of the town. To occupy their attention I placed a rifle piece on the 
first hill and engaged their battery. The cavalry, under a dangerous fire, dashed 
forward and gained the Buckhannon road west of the river, and cut off retreat 
by that route. The enemy immediately began to fall back below the town, leaving 
a strong force of skirmishers in the woods, which my infantry had to pass. A 



UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 305 

running fight was kept up more than two miles through these woods, and a Httle 
before sunset I had succeeded in gaining the north side of the town but too late 
to cut off retreat toward Philippi. The enemy was in full retreat and about 
one third of the town in flames when I gained their original flank. We pursued 
until dark but could not overtake them. My cavalry attempted to intercept 
them from the west side of the river at or near Laurel Hill, but the difficulty 
and depth of the ford and the lateness of the hour prevented it. 

"I have been thus minute in these details to explain why we did not capture 
the whole force at Beverly. Slayton was unable to cross Cheat river, owing 
to the high water, and they were really ignorant of our approach until the 
wounded man gave the alarm. We found him in almost a dying condition, 
though he will probably recover. The attack was so sudden that the enemy 
could not remove his stores or destroy his camp. His loss was not less than 
$100,000, and about one-third of the town was destroyed in burning his stores. 
I lost three men, so badly wounded that I had to leave them in Beverty. The 
enemy's loss was trifling. 

"On the morning of the 25th my cavalry reported the road toward Philippi 
impracticable for artillery or wagons, on account of the depth of the mud in places 
coming up to the saddle-skirts of the horses. I also ascertained that General 
Roberts, with a considerable force, was at Buckhannon, and I doubted the pru- 
dence of going directly on to Philippi until this force was dislodged from my flank. 
I sent off two companies of cavalry, under Major D. B. Lang, to try to open 
communication with General Jones, from whom I had not heard anything, and 
resolved to cross Rich mountain, and either move directly on Buckhannon, 
or by a country road leaving the turnpike four miles beyond Roaring creek, 
get between Philippi and Buckhannon and attack one or the other, as circum- 
stances might determine. 

"On the evening of the 26th I crossed Middle fork and encamped about 
midway between Philippi and Buckhannon, some twelve miles from each, sending 
all my cavalry forward to seize and hold the bridge across Buckhannon river, 
near its mouth. Considerable cannonading was heard at this time in the direction 
of Philippi, which I supposed to proceed from the enemy we had driven from 
Beverly, in an attempt to prevent Major Lang from going toward the railroad, 
where I expected to find General Jones ; but at 11 p. m. Colonel Imboden 
informed me that the Beverly force had passed up toward Buckhannon at sun- 
rise that morning, and that there was a fresh brigade at Philippi reported by 
citizens to have arrived the night before from New Creek, under command of 
General Mulligan, and that the cars had been running all the night previous, 
and other troops were in the vicinity. He requested me to send two regiments 
of infantry and a section of artillery to the bridge that night, as he was appre- 
hensive of attack. He also informed me that he had captured a courier from 
Buckhannon, and that two others had escaped and gone back to the place. This 
information was all confirmed by two citizens who arrived at my camp from 
Webster. I resolved to send forward the reinforcements asked for, and as my 
troops were all very tired, I sent for my colonels to ascertain which regiments 
were in the best condition to make the march that night. Knowing that General 
Mulligan was east of the Alleghanies when our expedition set out, and not hearing 
from General Jones, it was the opinion of all present that he had failed to reach 
or interrupt communication on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and that our 



306 UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

position was exceedingly critical if the enemy had control of that road as he 
could throw the whole division upon us in a few hours, and if we were beaten, 
could cut oflf our retreat at Laurel Hill, Beverly and at Buckhannon or Weston. 
I concurred in the opinions of my colonels that in the face of this new information 
it would be extremely imprudent to advance farther or to remain where we were, 
with the danger of being overwhelmed and cut off in a few hours, and that the 
safety of the command required that we should fall back to a position where 
escape would be possible if we were overpowered. Accordingly we marched back 
to Roaring Creek on the 27th. The road was so bad that from 5 a. m. until 2 p. m., 
nine hours to accomplish two miles, and the command did not reach the camp 
until in the night. Having recalled my cavalry from Buckhannon bridge, I 
sent forward a scout that night toward Buckhannon, which returned after midnight 
reporting that the enemy had burned the bridges across Middle Fork and Buck- 
hannon rivers, and retreated that night from Buckhannon, blockading the road 
behind them. 

"On the 28th I passed on to within four miles of Buckhannon, and the next 
morning took possession of the town with a regiment which I crossed over on the 
debris of the burnt bridge. The enemy had burned all his stores here and 
destroyed two pieces of artillery, which he was unable to move. On account of 
the extraordinary bad roads, I had been compelled to leave at Greenbrier river, 
east of Cheat mountains, forty-odd barrels of flour, and also several barrels in 
Beverly. Our horses were giving out in large numbers and some dying from 
excessive labor and insufficient sustenance. Not being able to cross my artillery 
and horses over the river, on my arrival I ordered a raft to be constructed and 
the country to be scoured in every direction for corn and wTieat ; impressed 
two mills, Ridgway and Post, and run them day and night. Grain was very 
scarce and had to be procured in small quantities, sometimes less than a bushel 
at a house. I employed a considerable portion of my cavalry in collecting cattle 
and sending them to the rear. I required everything to be paid for at fair prices, 
such as were current rates before we arrived in the country. This gave 
general satisfaction in the country, and our currency was freely accepted. On 
the 29th I received my first information from General Jones, and on the same 
day I ascertained that the enemy was massing his troops at Janelew, a village 
about midway between Buckhannon and Clarksburg, and fortifying his position. 
The 30th was spent in collecting corn and cattle. 

"On May i, hearing nothing further from General Jones, I sent Colonel 
Imboden to Weston with his regiment of cavalry. He found that place evacuated 
and the stores destroyed, but got confirmation of the fact that the enemy was at 
Janelew. Fearing that General Jones had been cut ofif in his eflfort to join me, 
I gave orders that night to move early the next morning to Philippi. My raft 
was completed and I was ready to cross the river. Just as we commenced movmg 
on the morning of the 2nd, a courier arrived with the intelligence that General 
Jones was within six miles. On receiving this information I changed my direction 
of march toward Weston, feeling confident that with General Jones' brigade and 
my own force united we would be strong enough to hold our own and probably 
defeat the enemy at Janelew or Clarksburg." 

"CLAWHAMMER" WITCHER RAID. 
In 1864 Col. Vincent A. Witcher. of the 34th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, 
started from Levvisburg on September 22, of that year, through West X'irginia 



UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 307 

to buy and capture all the horses and cattle it was possible for him and his forces 
to take back to Eastern Virginia. After leaving Lewisburg the first point taken 
was Bulltown, Braxton, on the 25th day of the same month. He left here on 
the 26th for Weston, which place he reached and captured about midnight of 
the same day. On the 27th he left Weston for Buckhannon, reaching that town 
the same day and camped several miles out on the Buckhannon and Little 
Kanawha turnpike. The older citizens about Frenchton and French Creek 
recall very vividly the manoeuvring and passing of Witcher's forces through 
their community. Numerous efforts on the part of private citizens were made 
to stop this raid. Bushwacking and ambuscading on the part of private citizens 
was attempted along the route of his forces but with no success. After spending 
the night and part of the next day along this turnpike he ordered his forces back 
to Buckhannon where he had learned Major T. F. Lang of the 3rd (6th) Vir- 
ginia Cavalry was in camp with his force of a hundred men. Witcher surprised 
and captured Lang and his men and horses, destroyed the government stores 
including quartermasters, commissary and medical stores and one thousand 
stands of arms. It is not known how or when this noted Confederate colonel 
received the nickname of "Clawhammer." 

COMPANY E, 6TH WEST VIRGINIA CAVALRY, LATE 3D INFANTRY. 

Captain, P. J. Potts ; first lieutenant, Bart Clark ; second lieutenant. Marshall 
Gould; sergeant, Chapman McCoy; Franklin Phillips, wounded in thigh in action 
at McDowell ; G. L. Fortney, James A. Ingle, taken prisoner at Martinsburg, 
May 4, 1864; Joseph W. Janes; WilHam R. McClain, captured near Covington, 
Va., December 19, 1863 ; A. J. Shinn ; Moses A. Sandy, wounded in action at 
Springfield, Va., June 26, 1864: Watson Gould, P. G. Stealey, Mathias Wright, 
William H. Bosely, John H. Hellans ; S. B. Phillips, resigned captain's commission 
November 8, 1862; C. B. See, resigned first lieutenant's commission March 
22, 1862 ; Randolph See resigned second lieutenant's commission September, 
1862; Benjamin McCoy, Jerrad A. Douglass, George W. Gladwell, James P. 
Currey, B. W. Phillips, Walter D. Phillips, William Nay, Jr., Watson W. Cut- 
right, J. E. Montgomery, Jacob Wease, Benjamin A. Reeder, Daniel Sumner, 
Abraman S. Blagg, George W. See, discharged because of wounds received at 
Bull Run, August 29, 1862; Andrew Gladwell, Samuel A. Lane, John Crawford; 
W. B. Smallridge, discharged December 31, 1863, because of wounds received 
in action September i, 1861 ; Alfred A. Gillum ; J. W. Rohrbough, discharged 
March 27, 1863, because of wounds received in action at Bull Run, August 29, 
1863 ; A. J. Bryan ; Elisha M. Martin, discharged May 4, 1863, because of wounds 
received in action at Bull Run August 29, 1862 ; W. H. Madden, John H. Smith, 
J. D. Gould, Robert W. Varner, Reason A. Patterson, Frederick A. Story, 
Elmore E. Casto, died at Flaswoods, Va., October 12, 1861 ; Henry B. Bunten, 
died at Flatwoods, November 16, 1861 ; R. B. Tallman, died at Flatwoods, Nov- 
ember 6, 1861 ; Francis A. Blagg, died November 29, 1861, m Lewis county; 
Burnham A. Bunten, died January 14, 1862, at Buckhannon, W. Va. ; John J. 
White, died May 12, 1862, of wounds received at McDowell, Va. ; George B. 
S. Dorsey, killed by guerrillas in Pocahontas county, April 30, 1862 ; James S. 
Phillips, killed in action at Cross Keys, Va., June 8, 1862 ; Elijah Smallridge, 
died cit \\'inchester : S. H. Willfong. died September 29, 1862, of wounds received 
in action at Bull Run, August 29, 1862 ; Herbert Phillips, taken prisoner May 



308 UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAT^t. 

25, 1862, and died in Richmond; Elijah Phillips, died at Grafton, W. Va., May 
4, 1864. The company received the following veterans: A. G. Bunten, William 
W. Brown, H. H. Armstrong, H. F. Bryan, J. T. Haskins, R. L. Stealey, L. J. 
Rexroad, H. C. Boggess, George W. Phillips, F. W. Bond, William J. Brown, 
C. D. Gould, R. D. Beer, W. B. D. Bunten. Rufus Brain, M. W. Cutright, Gran- 
ville Cutright, William T. Duke, Issac Fleming, B. P. Gould, Henry Geyer, 
Andrew Howes, H. A. Horseflock, Abner Hunt, R. V. Haskins, J. W. Hess, 
George W. Harrison, William H. Lemons, James P. McGee, John McGahn, 
B. W. McDaniel, W. H. Martin, R. W. Moody, Joseph Markley, Andrew Moore, 
Oliver Nay, Simeon Phillips, Spencer Phillips, Lafayette Phillips, F. M. Rex- 
road, A. G. Rollins, William M. Riggs, John Strader, Jr., W. L. Sumner, John 
Suddarth, George Smith, John L. Smith, Issac L. Stealey, J. D. Simons. Job 
Simons, David Thrasher, J. B. Tenney, Isaac Tenney, David Wright. Aggregate 
113 men. ? 

Company E was made up in Upshur county in 1861 and met at Clarksburg 
in July of that year with Company A, recruited from Monongalia county ; Com- 
pany B, Harrison county; Company C, Preston county; Company D. Preston 
county; Company F, Taylor and Harrison counties; Company G, Monongalia 
county and Pennsylvania ; Company I, Marshal county ; and Company K. Richie 
county. From and until the date of muster and until its abswrption into Sixth 
West Virginia Cavalry, this regiment was known and designated as the Third 
West Virginia Infantry. This was the second regiment recruited under the three 
years call of President Lincoln. The roster of officers of the regiment were: 
David F. Hewes, colonel ; Frank W. Thompson, lieutenant colonel ; Charles E. 
Swearingin, major; Theodore F. Lang, adjutant; John H. Shuttleworth, regi- 
ment quartermaster ; D. B. Dorsey, surgeon ; Rev. James W. Curry, chaplain. 

Without the ceremony of a regular muster in, due to the fact that no author- 
ized mustering officer could be had, the regiment proceeded of itself to get ready 
for active work. Each company selected its own officers by nomination and vote, 
and privates went then straightway to A. Weringer, Clarksburg's Justice of the 
Peace, who administered the oath to support the Constitution of the United 
States. Springfield muskets with its complements of ammunition were supplied. 
The regiment hurried away to perform the most dangerous and most exacting 
duty known to the military service — scouting and outposting. 

FIRST WORK WAS AT RICH MOUNTAIN FIGHT iiTH OF JULY. 1861. 

The first active work of Company E, was at Elk Water, W. Va., under 
command of General Milroy. It left Elk Water on the 7th of April, 1862, and 
marched to McDowell, Va., participating in the fight there on the 8th. From 
McDowell it went to Franklin, where it joined the command of General Freemont, 
hastening to the relief of General Banks in the Shenandoah valle}'. It took part 
in Fremont's race up the Shenandoah in hot pursuit of Stonewall Jackson. It 
was in the battles of Cross Keys, January 8, 1862, Crooked Creek, Sulphur 
Springs, Rappahanock Station, Freemans Ford, Hedges River, Waterloo Bridge, 
August 25, 1862, Warrenton Springs, Broad Run, Gainesville, Manassas or 
second Bull Run, August 29, August 30. 

After defeat at the latter place it went into camp at Fort Ethan Allen near 
Washington City. It left Fort Allen September 30 and arrived at Clarksburg 
the following day. From Clarksburg this company was sent out to Buckhannon 



UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 309- 

and Bulltown to perform outpost duty. From Bulltown it was ordered back to 
the defense of Clarksburg, which was threatened by the Confederate forces under 
General Jones, the famous raider. Doing outpost work it was in the brigades of 
General Milroy, Col. A. C. Moore and General B. S. Roberts. On May i6,. 
1863, Brigadier General W. W. Averell was placed in command of the Fourth- 
Separate Brigade with headquarters at Weston. By him the Third regiment 
was called together and in November, 1864, was mounted and in January, 1864,. 
became the Sixth Virginia Cavalry. This company served with Averell through- 
out the war. It was in the daring raids to Rockey Gap, Droop Mountain, Salem 
and Moorfield. In all the charges and raids it was directly commanded by Col. 
Thompson from the formation of the Mountain Department in May, 1862, under 
Freemont until after the battle of Cloyd Mountain in 1864. 

The Second and Third infantries were in the same brigade. The Second 
afterward became the Fifth West Virginia Cavalry and the Third the Sixth West 
Virginia Cavalry. Being together for more than two years, ties of friendship' 
and sympathy became very strong; so long had they shared each others joy's 
and sorrows, that on the expiration of time of their enlistment the veterans 
and recruits of the two regiments were consolidated taking the name of the Sixtb 
West Virginia Veteran Cavalry and went west to guard and protect the frontiers 
from the murderous invasions and attacks of the Indians. 

UPSHUR BATTERY FIRST WEST VIRGINIA LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

Commissioned Officers — Captain, A. C. Moore; first lieutenant, George 
W. Burner; first lieutenant, Francis Lowry ; second lieutenant, John T. Latham; 
second lieutenant, M. J. Fogg. 

NoN-CoMMissiONED OFFICERS— Orderly sergeant, Wm. A. McNulty; 
quartermaster, Edmond D. Boyles ; duty sergeants, Sam'l A. Rapp, John W. 
Rohrbough, John H. Colburn, Edgar F. Boyles, Dan'l H. Shumaker, Robt. P. 
Trimble ; corporals, Creed W. Hart, Cesbastian Lang, Jerome B. Williams, 
Wm. Reger, Abram S. Rollins. Daniel Cutright, wounded at Buckhannon, Squire 
B. Hart, James H. Miller, Solomon Williams, Granville S. Cutright, Thomas A. 
George, Stephen W. Alatheney, wounded at Buckhannon ; buglers, Geo. W. Simon, 
Wm. H. Lemmon ; artificers, Nicholas Ours, Gideon M. Heavner, Abraham 
Horsaflook; privates, Michael Boyles, Wm. F. Bryan, Wm. H. Bowyer, John N. 
D. Brown, Elijah Bennett wounded at Winchester, Elias Bennett, Abraham Ben- 
nett, Wm. Burr, Robt. S. Bosely. Andrew Black, wounded at Buckhannon, Wm. 
Blagg, Benj. F. Bailey, Gabriel Bean, Michael Burke, Wm. S. Colerider, John 
M. Colerider, Clayton P. Cutright, Gideon M. Cutright, Jacob W. Cutright 
Amos C. Cutright, Jasper Carter, Jeremiah C. Conley, Morrison Cayton, James 
D. Dean, Wm. S. Dean, Perry Dean, James Douglass, Joseph E. Davis, George 
W^ Dayton, Lewis A. Eskew, Frank W. Fretwell, Dan'l M. Farnsworth, John A. 
Foster, Gilmer C. Fletcher, Thomas M. Gaston, Joseph Hart, John W. Hyre, 
Henry O. Hyre, Jacob Hanlim, Wm. Hornbeck, Chapman W. Herndon, Wm. 
F. Haney, John M. A. Jackson, Sam'l C. Jones, Elias Kidd, Sam'l Night, John 
S. Lawman, Wm. R. Lowe, Jasper N. Lorentz, Lafa L. Lorentz, Geo. C. Lorentz, 
wounded at Winchester, Robt. A. F. Little, Jesse Lemmoms, Wm. Leonard, 
Flavius N. Lowry, Joseph Lowther, Isaac Lowther, Henry Lowther, John W. 
Moody. Solomon Mick, Wm. M. Mick, W^n. H. Morris, Er\-in H. McWhorter, 
Jacob R. Morrison, Thomas J. Moreland, Alva Neely, John Pringle, Wm. M. 



310 UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

Price, Francis M. Peters, Joshua G. Peters, Burton Phillips, Wm. O. Phillips, 
John Perry, Benj. F. Paugh, Levi J. Queen, Gran. Queen, Bolivar I. Reger, 
Henry Reger, wounded at Buckhannon ; Jacob M. Rohrbough, Jacob Rohr, An- 
drew Robinson, Stephen W. Reynolds, Isaac Radabaugh, Jacob N. Radabaugh, 
Jonathan Roach, John C. Rexroad, Asberry Reed, Sam'l Smallridgc, Wm. B. 
Smith, Wm. E. Smallridge, Seymour Simon, Aaron Strader, John Stilts, James 
Sexton, Peter Tenney, Jonathan Tenney, John C. Tenney Josiah Tenney, Geo. W. 
Thrasher, John M. Tyre, Joseph R. Thompson, Frederick Vangilder, Julius 
Vawter, Enoch L. Waugh, John S. Weaver, John W. Weaver, Jonathan Wing- 
field, Stillman Young, wounded at Winchester, Rich P. Young, James G. Young, 
Isarael B. Young. 

DiscHARGBD FOR DISABILITY — Andrew J. Bennett, James L. Fitzgerald, 
Adam Gregory, Francis S. Kittle, Andrew Kerns, John J. Lemmon, Wm. More- 
land, Merback Ours, Lathrop Phillips, John D. Teeney. 

Death List— Abram Cutright, Chapman C. Cutright, Simon Casto, Henry 
Farrar, Geo. Harvey, Pleasant P. Lowe, wounded at Buckhannon, Charles E. 
Neal, Lafavette Reed, Geo. W. Rusmisel, John W. Sandy, Hhomas Sleter, James 
S. Swisher, Eldridge V. Shobe, Philip T. Teets, John L. Tenney. 

Captured at Buckhannon, 1862 — Solomon Williams, Thomas A. George, 
Wm. H. Lemmon, Gideon M. Heavner, Jeremiah C. Conley, Wm. F. Haney, 
Wm. R. Lowe, Robt. A. F. Little, Lemeul E. Robinson, Jacob N. Rohrbaugh, 
Seymour Simon, John N. Tyre, Joseph R. Thompson, Julius Vawter, Henry O. 
Hyre. 

Engagements — Buckhannon, August 31, 1862; Moorfield, April 8, 1863; 
Percyville, Va., July 16, 1864; Snickers Gap, July 18, 1864; Winchester, \'a., 
July 24, 1864; Bunkers Hill, Va., July 25, 1864; Martinsburg. July 25, 1864; 
Cedar Creek, August 12, 1864; Cedar Creek, August 14, 1864; Charlestown, 
August 21, 1864; Halltown, August 22, 24, 1864; Berryville, September 3, 



COMPANY B, TENTH WEST VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 

Loomis J. Gould, captain, transferred from the Third West Virginia In- 
fantry : Henry G. Lewis, first lieutenant ; David J. Ezekiel, second lieutenant, 
severely wounded in right arm and chest at Maryland Heights, July 7, 1864; 
David F. Peterson, first sergeant, wounded in the leg at Kernstown, Va., July 24, 
1864; John D. Crites, second sergeant; John T. Smith; John A. Grose; Bronson 
R. Simon, shot through the left shoulder at Kernstown; William M. Crites, 
lost his right arm at Kernstown ; Jonathan Gould, severely wounded in the hip 
at Kernstown ; George J. Brake, wounded in the back, arm and leg at Kernstown ; 
Salathiel Strader; Jacob Lewis; John W. Alexander, severely wounded at 
Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 1864; John L. Loudin ; Thomas A. Carter, 
wounded through the shoulder at Kernstown ; Benjamin F. Brown ; George 
Been ; William D. Bruch : James H. Browning, wounded in the heel at Winchester, 
Va., September 19, 1864; Stillman Crites; Isaac N. G. Crimes; Joseph Crites; 
James K. P. Koon, wounded at Winchester, September f^. 1864; Perry Cutright; 
Noah Crawford, wounded in foot at Kernstown ; Ba.muel V. Collins ; Henry M. 
Douglass ; James W. Douglass ; Edmund F. Duke ; Samuel P. Eagle ; Christian 
S. Eagle; John Fisher; Austin Griffin; Ambrose Goodwin; Abraham M. Geyer; 
David C. Gladwell, severely wounded in the leg at Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864; 



UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 311 

John D. Hyer; Edward A. Hamper; Andrew M. Jackson; John J. Love; John 
Lewis ; James W. Duncan, wounded in head by a shell at Winchester ; Allen 
Lewis ; David C. Loudin ; Samuel T. Lanham ; Ephram Lanham, wounded in 
the leg at Snickers Ferry, Va., July 17, 1864; Daniel C. Lee, James Longanetta, 
David H. Morrison; David C. Morgan; Obediah W. Martin; Morgan Morrison, 
James L. McFadden ; George W. McCloud ; William McCann ; Lorenzo B. 
Moore ; James L. More ; Jasper N Marteney ; Wilbur Perry ; David Phillips ; 
Mathew Quick; Benton Queen; Abraham Rucker, lost a leg at Cedar Creek; 
Samuel Rucker; David M. Staten, Thomas Shaw; Frederick Snyder; Thomas 
G. Smith ; Joseph A. Thompson ; George W. Waggy ; Henderson Westiall ; 
Alexander Wood ; Richard Wood ; James A. Wolf ; Salathiel Winemiller, 
wounded in the leg at Winchester, September 19, 1864 ; Noah Winemiller, 
wounded in the face at Winchester, September 19, 1864; William W. Wine- 
miller; J. E. Williams; Reuben Mahar, shot at W^inchester, September 19, 1864. 

William H. H. Young, Jacob L. Crites, discharged for disability, July 17, 
1862, at Buckhannon, West Virginia; Andrew J. Gunn, for disability, September 
17, 1862, at Beverly, West A'irginia ; Josiah Martin, for disability, Septembei 
17, 1862, at Beverly; Michael Geyer, William Lewis, George S. Riffle, Henry 
E. Canton ; Benjamin F. Gunn, transferred to Company H, Tenth West Virginia 
Infantry ; John G. Phillips ; Wesley Depew, killed at Winchester, September 
19, 1864 ; William Littlefield, killed by guerrillas in Webster county, W. Va., 
October 25, 1864; Job Loudin, died April 18, 1864; William Maher, died of fever, 
January 14, 1862, at camp Cannan, Virginia; Manly C. Morrison, died of fever, 
April 10, 1862, at Camp Canaan ; Albert Queen, died January 3, 1862, at Buck- 
hannon, West Virginia; George S. Strader, died March 12, 1863, at Romney, 
West Virginia ; Elnathan Strader, killed in action at Winchester, September 
19, 1864; Jacob Tolbert, died October 23, 1864, at Cumberland, Maryland ; Dwight 
G. Bunton ; Fenton H. Martin, died in hospital of wounds received in action in 
September, 1864; Washington M. Garvin, killed in action in Kernstown ; Wilson 
W. Wolf, died January, 1862, at Camp Canaan ; James B. Bennett, deserted 
at Camp Cannan, April 7, 1862 ; L. D. Cartwright, deserted at Camp Canaan, 
April 13, 1862; Aaron Kerns, deserted at Webster, West Virginia, May 17, 1864; 
Josiah Vandegraft, deserted at Valley Moutain, West Virginia, September 13, 
1862. Aggregate 112 men. 

This company was mustered in during the early summer of 1862, at Buck- 
hannon and was the result of the enthusiastic labors of Captain J. Loomis Gould, 
Lieutenant H. H. Lewis, Surgeon Jonathan R. Blair and others. It was the tenth 
part of the Tenth Regiment West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, which was re- 
cruited by Dr. T. M. Harris, of Glenville, Gilmer county. West Virginia. 

Governor Pierpont had given Mr. Harris his consent to make up a regiment ; 
and had also promised him the colonelcy of it if success crowned his efforts. 
He entered upon his work August 3, 1861, and received a colonel's commission to 
command the Tenth, about the 3rd day of May, 1862. In this same regiment 
was Morgan A. Darnall, captain of Company A ; promoted to lieutenant colonel 
March 24, 1865, and commissioned colonel June 29, 1865, and Minter F. Marple 
who became second lieutenant of Company H on September 27, 1864. 

After the organization of the regiment in May, 1862, Company B continued 
recruiting, drilling and outposting at Buckhannon until September of the same 
year when its headquarters were removed to Bulltown where with six other 
companies of the Tenth the first muster work of regimental tactics was done. 



312 UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

These six companies were ordered late in October to join General ]Milroy and orr 
November 4. broke camp and set out for Beverly, whence they moved by way of 
Webster and New Creek to Winchester, arriving there January i, 1863. 

While camping at Winchester, Company B was sent out on several expedi- 
tions up the Shenandoah Valley and being composed of hardy, brave moun- 
taineers, their service was very acceptable and satisfactory. 

May 10, 1863, it was ordered back to West Virginia, was added to General 
William W. Averill's brigade and returned to Buckhannon; and on June 7 was 
sent to Beverly. 

Colonel William L. Jackson, commanding a strong Confederate force, fell 
upon the Tenth regiment at this latter place on July 2, and kept it busy two days, 
defending and resisting his attacks. 

Reinforcements arrived and gave the Tenth relief and respite on June 15, 
1864. It was ordered to Martinsburg, West Virginia, and was incorporated 
into the brigade being formed to check the enemy's threatened advance down 
the Shenandoah Valley. It finally became a part of the command known in army 
orders as the ".\rmy of West Virginia," under General Crook. 

While at Martinsburg, Company B assisted in the encounter between General 
Early's advance and the Federals at Leetown, Virginia. On the 6th and "th of 
the same month it took an active part in the skirmishes at Maryland Heights 
and for several days retreated before Early, who was invading Maryland and 
dashing toward the national capital. 

On July 17, it participated with the regiment in the battle at Sinchers Ferry, 
Virginia, and on the 24th, in that at Winchester. 

At this latter engagement it was under command of Colonel Mulligan, who 
fell mortally wounded on that bloody field. It participated in the battles of Berry- 
ville, Virginia, and Opequen river; and at Fisher's Hill, on September 23, the 
Tenth Virginia first planted the stars and stripes on the Confederate fortifications. 

Company B was in the advance. It was also in the battles of Strassburg, 
Virginia, October 13, 1864. and Cedar Creek, October i, 1864. On December 
19, 1864, the company was ordered to Washington City; from thence it proceeded 
to join the Twety-fourth Army Corps, before Richmond, going into camp seven 
miles from the Confederate capital, on Christmas day, 1864. It served in this 
corps during the remainder of its term of service. Company B was noted for its 
power, courage, intrepidity and general reliability during the war. It returned 
to Wheeling after the close of the war and was mustered out August 9, 1865. 

ROLL OF UPSHUR COUNTY MILITIA. 

Captain, Danial Gould ; lieutenat, Harvey Geyer ; George W. Sharps, married, 
paroled at Richmond, Va, and arrived home October 20, 1863 ; Loyal U. McAvoy, ' 
married, conscripted at Richmond, deserted and arrived home December 19, 
1863; James W. Windle, married; James M. Bennett, married; John T. Starcher, 
widower; Thomas Gawthrop, married; David Fairbarn, married, parolled at 
Richmond, March 7, 1864 ; James F. Friel, married, parolled at Richmond and 
arrived home April 24, 1864 ; Taylor Hyre, married ; Elmer Hyer, married ; Martin 
Rice, single, parolled at Richmond and arrived home .April 25, 1864; Jacob J. 
Brake, Jr., single ; Perry Talbot, single ; Henry J. Hefner, single ; Bryant T. 
Moore, married, parolle at Richmond April 16 and arrived home from Baltimore 
June 3, 1864; Bezaleel Geyer, married, arrived home May 6, 1864; Stalnaker 



UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 313 

RIarteny, escaped from Salisbury, N. C, November i, 1864 and arrived home 
December, 1864; Captain Daniel Gould, parolled at Charleston, S. C, and arrived 
home December 29, 1864 ; Taylor Brown, single, arrived home December 29, 
1864; Joseph Crawford, married, arrived home December 31, 1864; Lieut. Harvey 
Geyer, single, arrived home April 3, 1864; Hiram Bean, Company D, single; 
Peter Hoffman, married, died in Wheeling, W. Va., March 29, 1865, left three 
children: Benj. J. Clarkson. married, died in Salisbury, N. C, between the ist 
of December, 1864, and the last of December, 1865; Isaac Carter, Company D, 
parolled at Richmond April 16 and arrived home from Baltimore May 15, 1864; 
James S. Wilson, married, died in Richmond December 22, 1863, left a widow «^ 
and ten children ; Andrew W. Cunningham, married, died in Richmond December, 
■ 1863, and left stepmother with two children ; Harvey Long, single, died December 
26, 1863; Samuel Rice, single, died in Richmond December 27, 1863; Josiah B. 
Bennett, married, died in Richmond December, 1863, left six children; Ezra S. 
Waulrus, married, died in Richmond January, 1864, left stepmother and two 
children; William Cunningham, married, died in Richmond January 15, 1864; 
William Fleming, married, died in Richmond February, 1864; James Clarkson, 
single, died in Richmond February 26, 1864; David H. Cochran, single, died 
March, 1864; Martin Curry, died March 30, 1864; James Fairbarn, died March -■ 
19, 1864; Marshall Smith, died March 1864; Adam Peck, married, died RIarch, 
1864. left a widow and three children; Jacob C. Smith, died in 1864; Samuel 
Wallridge, died in 1864, left one child; William Townsend, died April 16, 1864, ' 
left widow and two children ; Jesse B. Nixon, married, parolled in Richmond, 
died in Baltimore April 22, 1864, left eight children ; Ezra Morgan, single, died 
in Annapolis April, 1864; Henderson Jack, died in 1864; Lewis F. Corbit, married, 
died in Camp Sumpter March 25, 1864, left widow and one child ; George M. 
Douglass, single, died March 27, 1864; John J. Vincent, married, died March 
28, 1864, left widow and three children; Samuel A. Burns, died March 29, 1864, 
left widow and three children; Douglas Johns, died April i, 1864, left widow and 
two children ; David K. Johns, died April 2, 1864, left widow and two children ; 
William Baker, died April 3, 1864, left stepmother and one child ; Robert A. Curry, - 
widower, died April 4, 1864 ; Amandas Young, married, died in Camp Sumpter 
April 6, 1864, left widow and three children ; Asa B. Young, single, died April 
8, 1864; Edwin Young, married, died April 22, 1864, left widow and two children; 
George Armstrong, married, died May 3, 1864, left widow and three children ; 
Jacob Brake, married, died May 6, 1864, left widow and three children; Henry 
Lanham, single, died June i, 1864; Granville B. Armstrong, single, died June 10, 
1864; John A. Cunningham, married, died July, 1864, left widow and five 
children; Manuel Simmons, married, died July, 1864; Closson E. Simmons, 
single, died July, 1864; Anson R. Jack, married, died in July, 1864, left widow 
and two children ; John W. Armstrong, died August 10, 1864, left widow and 
eight children ; Calvin Boyd, married, died in Salisbury, N. C, July 6, 1864, left 
widow and six children ; Jacob C. Simmons, single, died in Charleston, S. C, 
September 20, 1864. 

This company of 70 members was captured at Centreville, September 12, 
1863, and taken to Richmond, Virginia, where they were imprisoned. Seven of 
them escaped, twenty-five were parolled and the rest died at Richmond, Camp '' 
Sumpter, Wheeling, Saulsbury and Charleston, S. C, leaving behind them zj 
widows and 83 children. Rev. A. J. Lida, in 1866, preached in the M. E. church, 
at Centreville, a funeral sermon of those who died in Southern prisons. 



314 UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CI\TL WAR. 

UPSHUR GR-\YS. 

COMPAXY B OF TWEXTV-FIFTH VIRGINIA REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. 

Officers. — John C. Higgnbotham, captain ; Daniel Brown, first lieutenant, 
died at McDowell ; Warren \\hite, second lieutenant, resigned ; Jerome Reger, 
third lieutenant, killed at Allegheny mountain; Charles Ridgway, fourth lieuten- 
ant; \\'. H. Fichett, orderly sergeant; Wm. McFadden, second sergeant; James 
Mullan, third sergeant; "Gam" Bastable, corporal. 

Priv.\tes. — N. B. Reger, color bearer or ensign; Frank Suderth, Noah 
Haskins, promoted color bearer; Perry Summers, Chas Hodges, killed at Gettys- 
burg: Philip Krise, discharged, '62 ; "Tif" Krise, killed at Antietam ; Joseph Paugh, 
Elam Crites, Philip Crites, died in hospital at Staunton ; G. P. Shreve, A. J. Kidd, 
Clay Jackson, killed at Rich Mountain ; Oscar Sherwood, killed at Rich Mountain , 
William Gibson, Geo. B. King, Henry Hoover, killed at Mine Run; 
George Hoover, Sherman Cummings, killed at Lynchburg ; Ezra Woodson, 
Nathan Ligget, Dr. Sam. J. Cabell, died at McDowell; Dr. Isaac White, Willis 
Woodley, Col. Woodley, Geo. ^^". Dawson, Rigg Hilleary, Jerry Paugh, Benj. 
M. Patterson, John Owen Tillman, killed at Gettysburg; William Hamner, 
Melville Johnson, Richard Wingfield, killed at Mine Run ; Wm. Wingfield, John 
L. Fitzgerald, Herndon Dowel, Bruce IMiddleton, Rufus King, Cyrus King, 
John Hay Reger, joined in '62 ; James W. Gawthrop, John Dawson, James 
Dawson, John W. Dowell, joined in '62; Augustus Hilleary, Benj. Garroll, killed 
accidentiy at Sherando; Edward Moon, James Woodson, William Lawhorn, 
Daniel Bassell, Joseph Bassell, A. J. Reeder, ^Monroe Reger, joined in '62 ; Wm. 
}iIcFadden, Thomas Surgner, killed at Beverly; Charles William Wurtenbaker, 
John W. Crisman, Jacob D. Warner, IMartin D. Wingfield, Charles AIcFadden. 

The strong Union sentiment of Upshur county did not deter the Southern 
sympathizers from agitation and action in the ear>- years of the w-ar. With some 
degree of reserve they manifested their desire and sentiment for the southern 
people, yet they manifested that sentiment in unmistakeable terms and with a 
valor that redounded eminently to their credit. The most forceful and active 
organization in advertising the bravery and courage of the southern element of 
our population was the Upshur Grays, a local company, organized in the early 
months of 1861 and numbering 67 young, active and stalwart citizens when 
mustered into service ^lay 7, 1861. 

The officers of this Confederate company were John C. Higginbotham, 
captain ; Daniel Brown, first lieutenant ; Jerome Reger, second lieutenant. Captain 
Higginbotham was the elder son of William T. Higginbotham, was eighteen years 
of age when he went to war, was the inspiring spirit in the organization of the 
company, as well as the inspiring spirit in the many conflicts of the company. 

Ere a month had elapsed after the company was mustered in a call to come 
to Philippi was made and strict obedience to that call resulted. On June 2, 
1861, Captain Higginbotham arrived in the town of Philippi and ordered the 
bag and baggage of his company unpacked and remained there several days, 
until the retreat of Colonel Porterfield. The day before the retreat, Porterfield 
ordered the companies to pack their wagons. Later in the same day he ordered 
the companies to unpack, but Captain Higginbotham told his men not to unpack, 
as if there was reason for packing, there was no reason to unpack. The next 
morning Porterfield was surprised, and ordered a retreat. The Upshur Grays 



UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 315 

alone saved their baggage. On the retreat firing was heard and it was supposed 
that a Braxton company had been cut oflf. Captain Higginbotham took a vote 
of his company whether they would go to the relief of that company. Every 
man voted to do so. They started bacl< and after going some distance learned 
that the Braxton company had escaped, and that the Federal troops were fighting 
among themselves. The Upshur Grays then continued their retreat to Beverly, 
w-here they remained a few days, when they were ordered to Rich mountain. 
Col. Pegram was in command at that point. It was reported that the Federal 
troops would cut off their retreat by cutting the pike at the top of the mountain. 
The night before the battle, Col. Pegram held a council of war. Capt. Higgin- 
botham insisted that as AlcClellan had been in their front for several days, 
he did not intend to attack them in their trenches, but would rely on the attack 
at the top of the mountain, and that at least 500 men with two pieces of artillery 
should be sent to that point. However, he was overruled, and only 250 men and 
one piece of artillery were sent to that point. The Upshur Grays were among 
the number and took an active part in the battle of Rich mountain. 

Therefore Captain Higginbotham was right when he admonished Colonel 
Pegram to place 500 men on top of Rich mountain to do the fighting. Only 250 
Confederates were placed in line of battle near the Joe Hart residence and they 
were the Upshur Grays, Hampden-Sidney Boys and the Buckingham Lee Guards. 
The issue of this battle was favorable to the Federal forces. Of the Upshur 
Grays, Oscar Sherwood and H. Clay Jackson were killed and several were 
wounded. From Rich mountain this already illustrous company went into 
camp at Monterey where they remained for a short time before going into 
winter quarters at Camp Barto on the Greenbrier river, which camp was composed 
of the L'pshur Grays, of the First and Twelfth Georgia, the Twenty-second, 
Twenty-third, Twenty-fifth, and Thirty-first Virginia, and the Third Arkansas. 
A battle occurred here and the L^pshur Greys were ordered to Allegheny moun- 
tain to rest and repair until the following spring. From Allegeny mountains, 
the Upshur Grays took up their weary march to Staunton. Twelve miles west 
of Staunton, at West ^'iew, they planted their tents and waited the arrival of 
"Stonewall" Jackson. From this point they learned that McDowell was occupied 
by Milroy and commanded the force with which they desired an encounter. So, 
they betook themselves, under Stonewall Jackson and Edward S. Johnson, west- 
ward toward the Federal forces and reached McDowell to engage Milroy and 
Schenck on I\Iay 8, 1862. The battle was a stubborn one, lasting fully five hours 
and ending only with darkness. The Federals finding their position untenable 
and dangerous, withdrew during the night and took up their retreat to Franklin. 
The Confederates followed and returned thence to Jennings Gap, preparatory 
to going down the valley. 

The L^pshur Grays were under that inimitable and impetuous "Stonewall" 
in the engagements at Mt. Jackson, the first of a series of battles down the valley 
which were the most disastrous and direful to the L^nion cause for a like time 
during the war, commencing as it did on May 24 and terminating August 30 
with the second battle of Bull Run, or, as the Confederates prefer to call it, the 
second Manassas. 

On this illustrous march, the Federals learned the painful truth that Stone- 
wall Jackson was a quantity that needed their most careful consideration and their 
best judgment. The Upshur Grays under his sagacious and tactful command 
worked proud honor to their native soil in the battles of Front Royal. May 23, 



316 UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 

and Winchester, June i. The Upshur Grays were in the front in the battle of 
Cross Keys and Port Republic, June 8 and 9, respectively. From this latter 
battle Jackson's army retreated "over the hills and far away" toward Richmond, 
where they were engaged for seven days in a continuous bloody warfare, partici- 
pating in the battle of Seven Pines, Gains's Mill, Frazier's Farm and Malvern 
Hill, from June 27 to July 2. Next engagement to add new luster to the Upshur 
Grays was the battle of Cedar mountain, which was fought for the purpose of 
checking Pope's advance and where nothing but desperate fighting saved the 
Federals from complete route. The Upshur Boys, after a small syirmish at 
Warrenton Springs, fought most desperately in the second battle of Bull Run, 
where a terrible contest ensued on August 28- 29. The Upshur Grays were 
engaged in the battle at Fairfax Court House, Boonesborough and Antietam, or 
Sharpsburg, and Fredericksburg. Near this last battle they wintered. 

In the spring of 1863, the gallantry and audacity of the Upshur Grays had 
secured an order for them to accompany Imboden upon his illustrous raid through 
West Virginia and Ohio. After the varied experiences of this raid the Upshur 
Boys returned to the valley and were subsequently called into meritorius service 
in the battles of Gettysburg, Mine Run, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania and 
Petersburg. In the fight at Spottsylvania, John C. Higginbotham, who had been 
promoted to colonel, was killed. From Petersburg the Upshur Grays participated 
in the final scenes of the war in and around Appomattox, and were mustered 
out June 5, 1865. Of the eighty-seven men who went forth to fight for their 
convictions and opinions only sixteen returned to tell the sad story of their 
wonderful loss and suffering, to renew their allegience to a common country 
and to walk in the future, as in the past, uprightly and honestly in the sight of 
man and in the fear of God. 

There can be little doubt that Upshur county sent forth to war a kind and 
class of soldiers, both blue and gray, that reflected alike a standard of citizenship 
which Rome in her proudest days could not boast of and a quality of soldiery 
that equaled Leonidas' men at Thermopylae. To the mothers, sisters and 
daughters of these brave Upshur Grays, as well as to the mothers, sisters and 
daughters of the Upshur Blues, be it ever known they were fearless and dauntless 
in their efforts to aid, abet and encourage the right as they saw it and understood 
it, and now that the last vestige of sectional hatred and prejudice has disappeared 
and there is no longer a North, a South, an East, or West but a common country 
for a common people, the next generation will produce a population which will 
confer, equally, credit and honor to the boys who wore the blue and the boys 
who wore the gray. 

SOLDIERS FROM UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN 
WAR. 

Coleman Cutright, enrolled April 26, 1898, in Company F, First West 
Virginia Infantry and mustered out February 4, 1899. 

Kenneth Wamsley, enrolled April 26, 1898, in Company F, First West 
Virginia Infantry and mustered out February 4, 1899. 

Leonard B. Phillips, enrolled July 6, 1898, in Second Regiment of West 
Virginia Infantry and mustered out April 10, 1899. 



UPSHUR COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. 317 

Joseph F. Ligget, corporal, enrolled June 25, 1898, in Company F, Second 
Kegiment of West Virginia Infantry and mustered out April 10, 1899. 

James W. Caldwell, corporal, enrolled June 27, 1898, in Company F, Second 
Regiment of West Virginia Infantry and mustered out April 10, 1899. 

Perry E. Johnson, corporal, enrolled June 27, 1898, in Company F, Second 
Regiment of West Virginia Infantry and mustered out April 10, 1899. 

Seymour P. Lemmons, corporal, enrolled July 26, 1898, in Company F, 
Second Regiment of West Virginia Infantry and mustered out April 10, 1899. 

Charles E. Haines, enrolled June 27, 1898, in Company F, Second Regiment 
of West Virginia Infantry and mustered out April 10, 1899. 

Kirk P. Haskins, enrolled July 6, 1898, in Company F, Second Regiment 
of West Virginia Infantry and mustered out April 10, 1899. 

Sidney O. Landin and Wm. Landin, Hugh Morrisette, Granville Newlon, 
Hunter W. Parker, and Samuel J. Wolf, enrolled June 27, 1898, in Company 
F, Second Regiment of West Virginia Infantry and mustered out April 10, 1899, 
with the exception of Hugh Morrisette who was discharged February 13, 1899. 

Reuben A. Landis, Walter A. Landis, and Charles Smith, enrolled July 6, 
1898, in Company F, Second Regiment of West Virginia Infantry and mustered 
out April 10, 1899. 

Edward G. Tiernay and Thomas B. Tierney, enrolled June 24, 1898, in 
Company F, Second Regiment of West Virginia Infantry and mustered out 
April 10, 1899. 

Clyde C. Leonard, enrolled July 6, 1898, in Company M, Second Regiment 
of West Virginia Infantry and mustered out April 10, 1899. 

Spalding Winchester enrolled in Company M, Second West Virginia Infan- 
try, was mustered in with that company ; later was promoted to be color sergeant 
>of the Second. Died October 14, 1898, at Philadelphia, Pa., of typhoid fever. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY 

Commercial Beginnings. 

A pioneer settlement has only primitive wants. Individuals who cast their 
fortune in such a settlement, must accustom themselves to few conveniences and 
many hardships and privations. Especially is this the case with settlements 
established before the advent of the railroad, the invention of steam boats, and 
other means of transportation. To-day it is entirely dikerent. On the wide 
plains of the west not infrequently within the short space of forty-eight hours 
there springs up like a nuishroom, a city with stores, banks, livery stables, hotels, 
and all the comforts of modern civilization. 

The settlers of 1770 who braved the perils of this unbroken forest, and took 
renewed hope and greater inspiration from the lingering memory of every defeat, 
lived here over thirty years wanting the most important conveniences of this 
generation. There was no store in this county until after the dawning of the 
nineteenth century. Jacob Lorentz, Abram Post, and Abraham Carper emigrat- 
ing from the South Branch, cut a rough and uneven wagon road along one of 
the Indian trails across the mountains and came into this county by way of Beverly 
in the year 1800. They brought with them the first road wagon. Soon after 
their arrival, Jacob Lorentz went into the mercantile business near where the 
Lorentz post office now is ; for many years this was the only store in all this 
section of the country. The roads were too steep and uneven to penuit the general 
use of the road wagon and the goods sold from behind the counter of Lorentz's 
store were carried on pack horses from Richmond or Parkersburg or Cumberland. 
Only a few of the most necessary articles were kept. No money was in the 
country and no money was brought into the country except on the occasion of a 
herd of hogs being dripen to the eastern markets or a drove of cattle being carried 
there or a train of pack horses loaded with furs and roots. 

The articles sold were necessarily high in price. One of the relatives of 
this ancient merchant informs us that calico was sold at 50 cents per yard ; nails 
at 25 cents per pound ; cotton at 25 cents per yard, and other merchandise 
correspondingly high. 

The second store in the county was kept by Ezra Morgan and Amos lirooks 
in a small store room on the farm now known as the Andrew Buckhannon place, 
near French Creek. It was opened for trade, selling goods and buying country 
produce, in the year 1820. In the year 1830, Levi Leonard kept a store at French 
Creek in which, as was the custom, ginseng, deer hides, furs and linen were 
exchanged for calico, from twenty-five to seventy-five cents per yard and indigo 
at one dollar per ounce. 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 



319 



In 1832 Nathan and Waldo Goz put up the first store in Buckhannon. 
Abram Brake, Saul Leonard, D. H. Hazelden and Seymour Horner were among 
the first clerks. Goz having moved into the town just prior to this business 
adventure, did not know all the people who would trade at his store. On one 
occasion he was very much embarrassed, after selling a customer a good bill 
of goods on credit, he asked the purchaser, "To whom should he charge this 
account?" The buyer was silent as death. The merchant again interrogated 
the buyer, and again the obstinate buyer refused to tell his name. Goff gazed 
sternly and vexed at the man before him and with his wits in full play said 
to him, "I will charge these goods to the ugliest man." Lemuel Brake was 




JACOB LORENTZ PACK TRAIN. 



the gentleman who would not tell Mr. Goff his name and whose name was 
afterward told the merchant by our informant who was present when this trans- 
action occurred. 

John Wesley Wilson kept the first store at Rock Cave in 185 1. He hauled 

his goods mostly from , Va. Joe Pringle kept a store near the road 

at the Jehu Hyre place on the head waters of Bull Run in the year 1854 or 1855 ; 
and Samuel Talbot kept the first store in the Beechtown settlement. 

The second road wagon was introduced into the county in 1810, brought 
through by the New Englanders in their overland journey. These New Eng- 
landers also introduced sheep in 1810 into this settlement, which soon became 
an important industry for the settlers, inasmuch as the wool was used in weaving 
cloth out of which apparel was made. Joseph Ligget brought sheep with him 
on emigrating from Hardy county in 1809. 

The horse first came here with the settlers returning with Samuel Pringle 



320 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

to stake off their claims and make permanent locations. This animal was small, 
but wiry; evidently, not a near offspring of either the Arab, the Barb, or the 
Turkish stallion which were introduced into Virginia in the year 1660. The 
horse of the Buckhannon settlement, however defective in size, was remarkable 
for his fleetness and his powers of endurance. Cattle were brought into the 
settlement in the year 1770 and with every instalment of new settlers came more 
cattle, so that when the New Englander arrived, the crossbreeding of his strain 
of cattle with those which had been here before produce a fair grade of Bovines. 

Fruit trees and grain were early cultivated not only to satisfy the relish 
for one and the necessity for the other, but also the purpose of extracting from 
the apple, its cider and from the grain, its brandy. Two distilleries flourished 
in the early days of the Buckhannon settlement, known as "Old Gerty's" and 
"Jackson." They were in operation for many years in the settlement and 
the patronage which they received was evidently not very little. A majority 
of the population had been born and reared in England and had, therefore, the 
English thirst for strong liquor. Barley and Indian com were planted and raised 
abundantly by some to secure material for liquors, and large apple and peach 
orchards were grown so that brandies might be had. 

Aaron Ligget operated the last distillery in this county. It was located 
on the head waters of Stone Coal run and with its cessation there dawned upon 
this people the rightousness and virtue of preaching and practicing, as far as 
possible, temperance. 

The most universal ingredient of food is salt. The absence of it affects serious- 
ly the health of man and beast. For many years the pioneers of the Buckliannpn 
valley suffered not a little from the lack of a proper amount of salt to go into 
their food, to preserve their meats and to make healthy their live stock. It was 
brought over the mountains on pack trains, and being very high in Baltimore 
and Cumberland, it was too dear for extensive use by those living here. For- 
tunately, an early exploration brought to the attention of the settlers, the value 
of the blackish waters of Bull Town, where frequent trips were made to secure 
this form of food. Again, 1839, witnessed the arrival on the Buckhannon river 
of a man by the name of Cornelius Clark, who had some knowledge of the 
processes used in the distillation of common salt. He it was who labored three 
long years at Sago with a spring pole, digging a well seven hundred feet deep 
which tapped an inexhaustable spring of briney waters. The impregnation 
of these waters was not strong but was sufficient to encourage the promoter, 
on account of the scarcity of salt and the high price paid for it, to build devices 
of evaporation. Having been a producer of flaxseed and linseed oils by grind- 
ing and heating processes, it was an easy matter for him to invent means and 
machinery whereby salt could be produced by evaporating the water from the 
well. Many years this salt well supplied the settlers with that most necessary 
article. 

STAUNTON AND PARKERSBURG TURNPIKE. 

In 1803, the Virginia Assembly passed an act authorizing a committee of 
citizens of Staunton and Parkersburg, Virginia, the two termini of the pros- 
pected road to open up books of- subscription to private citizens. The state 
promised to subscribe three-fifths of the capital stock for the constniction of this 
turnpike. 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 321 

The road was begun and constructed out of Staunton, Virginia, eastward 
along the most feasible and practicable route suggested by the board of super-, 
vision elected by the stockholders of this turnpike company. 

As it proceeded westward the company deemed it advisable to open its 
books in order that the citizens of any town or county might be permitted to 
bid and subscribe its bids in capital stock for the construction of the road through 
the county and town. 

Pursuant to this policy of the company, on November 15, 1840, there was 
signed on condition that the road pass through both Beverly and Buckhannon, 
and that the money subscribed be expended in making the road between these 
two towns, the following sums by the following persons: 

William Beverlin $ 20.00 

Western Mills i75-00 

Jacob Heavener 10.00 

Joseph Liggett 10.00 

George Allman 5.00 

George Post 5.00 

John Vanhorn 5.00 

Simon Rohrbaugh 5.00 

John I. Walden 5.00 

Edward I. Colerider 20.00 

Elias Heavener 15.00 

Moses Phillips 3.00 

Enoch Gibson 20.00 

Andrew Poundstone 30.00 

George Nicholas 15.00 

Zadock Lanham 1 5-00 

Elmore Brake 5.00 

William Baird 10.00 

James Griffeth 5.00 

Marshall Lorentz 5.00 

Teeter Keesling 5.00 

Wm. McNuIty 15.00 

Thomas B. Kelte 4.00 

D. S. Haselden 100.00 

Henry Simpson 25.00 

James J. Mooney 15.00 

Jacob Lorentz 25.00 

John B. Brake lo.o 

Abraham W. Brake 10.00 

John N. Rohrbaugh 8.00 

Alex. R. Ireland 5.00 

Levi Liggett , 5.00 

William Greyson IS-OO 

James Louden 2.00 

H. P. Kittle 5.00 

This subscription was an inducement to bring the road to Buckhannon. It 
was completed in the year 1847, and previously was constructed from Buckhannon 
to Weston. 



322 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

PHILIPPI AND BUCKHANNON TURNPIKE. 

The act opening the subscription books for the formation of the Philippi 
and Buckhannon Turnpike Company was passed March 7, 1849. 

The capital stock was limited to ten thousand dollars, three-fifths of which 
was subscribed by the board of public works of Virginia and two-fifths by the 
citizens of Philippi and Buckhannon and other citizens along the proposed 
turnpike. 

The same act named Laird D. Morrall, Edwin D. Wilson, Charles S. Hall, 
Isaac Stickler, Elam D. Talbot of Philippi and D. S. Haselden, Mifflin Lorentz, 
James Miller, George Bastable and George W. Miller of Buckhannon, a com- 
mittee to solicit and receive subscriptions from private individuals. 

The turnpike was not to be less than fifteen feet wide and was to be built on 
a grade not to exceed four degrees. This road was completed in the early fifties. 

THE BUCKHANNON AND LITTLE KANAWHA TURNPIKE. 

On March 15, 1849, ^" ^^t passed by the Virginia Assembly authorizing the 
opening of books for receiving subscriptions to an amount not exceeding 
twelve thousand dollars, in shares of twenty-five dollars each, looking to the 
incorporation of The Buckhannon and Little Kanawha Turnpike Company, 
who shall construct a turnpike road from Buckhannon, by way of Haymonds 
Mills, in Braxton county, to some convenient point in said county to intersect 
the road from Weston to Sutton. 

D. S. Haselden, George Bastable, A. R. Ireland, James Mullins and C. G. 
Miller of Buckhannon ; Samuel T. Talbot, David Bennett, Samuel Wilson, Ezra 
Morgan, and A. B. See of French Creek ; F. Berry, W. P. Haymond, and C. 
L. Hurley of Haymonds Mills were appointed to superintend at their respective 
places the reception of the subscription. 

The state subscribed three-fifths of the capital stock which was to be paid 
parapassH as the individual subscriptions were paid. The road was not to be 
less than fifteen feet wide and constructed on a grade not to exceed four degrees. 

The act also provided that three-fourth of the two-fifths had to be subscribed 
by individuals before the company could be formed. This road was built during 
the fifties. 

THE CLARKSBURG AND BUCKHANNON TURNPIKE. 

The act authorizing the formation of a joint stock company to construct 
this turnpike road was passed March 8, 1848. 

The books were opened at Clarksburg and Buckhannon. The necessary 
two-fifths of the capital stock was subscribed by private citizens in these two 
towns and along the proposed route. The road was built on the same grade 
and with the same width as all the turnpike roads in the state of Virginia. 

SOUTH BUCKHANNON CORPORATION. 

This town lies south and east of the old Corporation of Buckhannon. 
Twenty years ago the land which is now the site of South Buckhannon was 
private property, which was later bought by the Buckhannon Land and Trust 
Association and cut up into building and business lots and put on the market. 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 323 

At the opening sale many of these lots were sold and the purchasers wishing 
to give their families the benefit of Buckhannon's educational facilities, erected 
many houses. 

From year to year, the number of dwellings increased and became so 
numerous that the citizens living on these lots took steps to incorporate the new 
town of South Buckhannon. This corporation, known as South Buckhannon, 
was effected in 1900, with a population of about 1,000. 

The mayors of South Buckhannon: 

James Daily — 1900-1904. 

W. H. Conrad — 1905. 

B. F. Malone — 1906. 

Arthur Reese — 1907. 
Recorders of South Buckhannon: 

Sanford Graham — 1900 — 1903. 

George K. Gay — 1904-1905. 

E. L. Coburn — 1906-1907. 

Industries of South Buckhannon are: Three planing mills, The Wm. 
Flaccus Oak and Leather Tannery, The Buckhannon Electric Light and Water 
Plant, Artificial Stone Works, Broom Factory, and the West Virginia Wesleyan 
College. 

This corporation owns its own council hall and lockup. 

FRENCHTON. 

The original name of this post office was Beech Town, so named from a 
legend handed down to the first settlers of this neighborhood by those who 
had seen and frequently talked with the Indians who occassionally made invasions 
at an early date into this part of Virginia. Those bands, who traveled from the 
East to the Ohio river and from the West to the eastern valleys, made this point 
one of their stopping places, and in order to more carefully protect themselves they 
reared a number of Indian huts out of poles and logs on the site where the 
present M. E. Church now stands ; these logs were beech and thus the name 
Beech Town. The first permanent settler was Samuel T. Talbot, and then came 
the Douglasses, the Armstrongs, the Wilsons, and the Hefners. The first store- 
keeper was Samuel T. Talbot and the first blacksmith was Peter Hefner and the 
first shoemaker was Harvey McCauley. Among the postmasters were S. T. 
Talbot, Joseph Groves, William Bennett, Sarah T. Curry, Daniel Hefner, Samuel 
Wilson, Wm. P. Wilson, E. S. Wilson, W. E. Wilson'and C. B. Wilson. The 
present M. E. Church was built in 1850 by Elbridge Burr,Jr., and W. H. Curry, 
and the most prominent members of the class at that time were Samuel T. 
Talbot, Samuel Wilson, James Curry, John Douglass and Peter Hefner. 

In the cemetery by the church are buried side by side soldiers of the blue 
and the grey, whose names are: George W. Rusmisell, James Smallridge, 
Isaac T. Vincent and Wm. Bennett. This village is now a station on the Coal 
& Coke railroad. 



324 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

ROCK CAVE. 

On the plateau west of the Little Kanawha river is a village, whose first 
settlers were the Currys and MacAvoys. Rumor has it that one Robert Curry 
and his descendants composed so large a per cent, of the population of this 
early young village that for years it was styled and known as Bob Town ; after- 
ward it was called Centerville and it was the intention and desire of its inhabitants 
at the time they asked the L^nited States Department for a post office at that 
place to make that its pemianent name, but under the ruling and subjection of 
the department, the post office was named Rock Cave. Its first postmaster being 
Dr. Wm. H. Curry. The first blacksmith was Morgan A. Darnall, the first 
shoemaker was James MacAvoy, as he was also its first Inn keeper, the present 
postmaster is Wm. Kincaid. 

GARFIELD JR. O. U. A. M. No. ■]■], 

was organized on September 24, 1892, those who had signed the original petition 
asking for the society and therefore were its charter members were : T. M. 
Cheuvront, V. L. Bennett, Andrew Mearns, Edward McClain, F. L. Cobum, E. 
W.. Andrews, J. T. Vincent, R. W. McClain, A. O. Harper, E. E. Loudin and 

E. I. Buchanan. 

SOLDIERS BURIED IN ROCK CAVE CEMETERY, 

are: Austin Griffin, Robt. Currv. Wm. L Smith, Henry Geyer, Wm. J. Anthony, 
Wm. Littlefield, A. B. Geyer and Wm. Blagg. 

HOLLY GROVE. 

The village of Holly Grove is situated on the Little Kanawha river, about 
18 miles south of Buckhannon. It was all originally part of the farm belonging 
to the late James B. Moore, one of the pioneer settlers in this communitty. 

It contains seven dwelling houses, two stores, at one of which is the post 
office, a small mill, one hotel, one church and a school house of two rooms. The 
M. E. parsonage of the Holly Grove circuit is here. 

The Providence Baptist Church of Holly Grove was organized November, 
1872, at the home of James B. Moore and a log church was built not long after 
on land donated by him for that purpose, the members contributing of their tim- 
ber, time and labor in erecting the building. It was dedicated September 5, 
1875, by Rev. Reuben A. Kemper. 

In 1892 this building was torn down and a larger and better frame building 
erected on the same site. The new church was dedicated July, 1893, by Rev. 
L. W. Holden. 

There were twenty-seven charter members, whose names were as follows: 
Jas. M. Sharps, MaryF. Sharps, Peter Johnston, Elizabeth Johnston, Caroline 

F. Johnston, Ethan Carpenter, Eda M. Simons, Thos. N. Martin, Sarah C. 
Martin, Elizabeth Moore. Wm. F. Moore, Mary S. Raikes, Nancy J. Raikes, 
Hester M. Ogden, Jas. M. Raikes, Thomas C. Raikes, Edwin C. Hyre, Mary 
E. Hyre, Ann E. Long, John J. West, Marv E. West, Josiah L. West, Wm. H. 



MISCELLANEOUS .HISTORY. 325 

Dever, Rachel O. Dever, Jas. R. Dever, Anderson Shingleton, Elzina Shingleton. 
Sixteen of these are still living and nine of them are still members of this church. 

Thirteen different men have served as pastors during these years. Their 
terms of service ranging from a few months to six and a half years. Their 
names are as follows, given in the order of their pastorates : Rev. Henry E. 
Carter, Rev. L. W. Holden, Rev. L. B. Moore, Rev. S. Barb, Rev. Chas. L. Brown 
(lie), Rev. W. B. Fisher, Rev. Henry Langford, Rev. H. E. Hoff, Rev. M. W. 
Perrine, Rev. J. Frank Cost, Rev. F. B. Baldwin, Rev. W. L. Oliver, Rev. H. 
H. Martin (lie). 

There have been baptized into the fellowship of this church since its 
organization, 104 members, received by letter 29, making in all 160 different 
persons, who at some tim^ have belonged to this church. Present membership 
82. had no regular pastor since October, 1905. They have a sabbath school 
all the year and have had for several years. 

MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE AND DOMESTIC GENIUS. 

The coin of the realm was very scarce and possessed only by those of 
saving habits and close economy. Its circulation was limited, indeed. The 
parting of it occurred at the general store where the settlers had to purchase 
the necessities of life, and only did the possessor of money release his grasp of 
it when the products of the farm or the forest failed to make a complete balance 
with his debts. Money was used in the purchase of land and in the buying of 
cattle. These transactions were had usually away from home and the buyer 
was compelled in most instances to make exchanges and transfers of property, 
real and personal, through this medium. 

The great bulk of business was done by barter, that is, the exchange of one 
commodity or property for another with the payment of the difference in like 
kind or some other commodity. The woods were filled with the productions of 
the soil, such as ginseng, seneca snake root and other medicinal plants and 
abounded with the fur-producing animals, such as the fox, the raccoon, the 
skunk or the pole cat and the opossum, and the meat-producing animals, such 
as the deer, the rabbit, tRe squirrel, the pheasant, the partridge, and the wild 
pigeon; these gave the pionoer, sp ttW the opportunity and^the occassion of not 
only getting that which sustained Ine'b'ut also that which paid debts. The 
habit of hunting seemed and was a necessity in the early settlement' and ceased 
only when the profits arising from activity and work in the woods became 
less than that which could be gained from other labor or when the merchant 
had failed to make satisfactory arrangements with the commission men 
at Cumberland, Parkersburg, Baltimore and other points, about the products 
secured by the chase or with the hoe. Thus it was these very common articles 
became the bases of a condition of business wherein they were the mediums of 
exchange. Later the state of society had evolved and in place of the aforesaid 
articles the grains, such as wheat, barley, buckwheat, oats and Indian corn, as 
well as the domestic animals, such as the horse, the cow, the steer, the sheep, 
and even the dog, entered into the business transactions of daily life. One instance 
has come to our attention in which a tract of land of no small size was exchanged 
for a horse, a gun, and a dog. The last of which was prized most highly and 
considered most valuable by the individual who parted with him. 



326 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

Conditions have changed. The advent of the huckster, who came and 
paid cash for poultry, poultry products, for furs and mountain game, and the 
coming of the live stock man to drive away the fanners' cattle and sheep for a 
cash valuation and the introduction of the railroads whereby all the products 
of fami and forest are brought into ready market or can easily be taken where 
there is a market — all has wrought a wonderful and more highly industrial 
state of society. Money is the measure of all values here now as elsewhere 
and whenever an individual has something to exchange or to sell he puts a price 
on it by the unit of value- — the gold dollar. 

The tanning of leather for the moccasins, the breeches, and the ladies' 
walking skirt was a home made process. A large trough was provided as a 
tan vat. During the months of spring, when the clearing was made, a good 
supply of bark was obtained. It was piled up, dried out and hauled in, and in 
wet days was shaved and pounded on a block with an ax or mallet. Of course 
the settler had no lime for taking off the hair and wood ashes were used as a 
substitute. "Bears' oil, hogs' lard, and tallow answered the place of fish oil." 
The operation of currying or dressing the hide was performed with a drawing 
knife which was inverted and handled very much as deftly as the currying knife 
in a modern tannery. Of course the leather was rough and course ; but it was 
strong and durable. Even to this day some farmers use the tanning trough and 
other primitive instruments to prepare the hides of the smaller animals, such as 
the ground hog, for their wives' half-handers, and their harness strings. 

Without a single exception every family contained its own tailor. This 
was not true as respects shoemakers, however, most families contained a cobblei 
of more or less pretentions. The grades of their proficiency took them through 
the three principal shoe productions known to the pioneer settlers : First, the 
moccasin, which was the simplest form of shoe wear, consisted of a single piece 
of leather, brought together over the foot and sewed from the toe to the ankle. 
There was a seam behind running from the bottom of the foot to the top of the 
moccasin. The second development of shoemaking was the shoe pack. "These 
like moccasins, were made of a single piece of leather with the exception of the 
tongue piece on top of the foot, which was about two inches long and circular 
at the lower end and to which the main piece of leather was sewed with a gathering 
stitch. The seam behind was like that of a moccasin and a sole was sometimes 
added." The tailoring work of the household was usually done by the women. 
No single lady was considered a fit companion for man until she could cut out 
and make hunting shirts, leggins, coats, pantaloons, and underwear. Therefore, 
it was the ambition of every young girl to acquaint herself with the modes and 
methods of tailor work. The first itinerant tailor and the first lady tailor in the 
county was a Miss Young, who went from house to house and settlement to 
settlement doing work. On one occasion when going from a settlemnt from 
below the towji of P.uckhannon to the settlement on the head waters of French 
creek she got lost in the woods, darkness came upon her and she was compelled 
to remain in the forest over night. So bad were the roads or paths over which 
the people had to travel and so open were the forests that a heavy rain oft- 
times obliterated the path and only the most expert and observant could find it. 
Miss Young on the next day found her bearings by occasionally burning a 
pile of leaves, which would indicate her direction and left a trace to those who 
might hunt her as to where she might be. 




lOHX KEi;i';i; and HAI CHTER, Barbara. Patent made by Patrick 
Heniy. and in jjossession of L. A. Teter. A spoon brought from 
Germany by Jacob Reger, 1735. A knife made in Sheffield, Eng- 
land, and the deer horn handle placed on by John Reger's own 
hand, and the James Teter fami'.y Bible. 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 327 

"The state of society which existed in our country at an early period of its 
settlement was well calculated to call into action every native mechanical genius. 
There was in almost every neighborhood, some one whose natural ingenuity 
enabled him to do many things for himself and his neighbors, far above what 
could have been reasonably expected. With the very few tools which they 
brought with them into the country, they certainly performed wonders. Their 
plows, harrows with their wooden teeth, and sleds were in many instances well 
made. Their cooper ware, which comprehended every thing for holding milk 
and water, was generally well executed. The cedar ware, by having alternately 
a white and red stave, was then thought beautiful. Many of their puncheon 
floors were very neat, their joints close, and the top even and smooth. Their 
looms, although heavy, did very well. Those who could not exercise these 
mechanic arts were under the necessity of giving labor or barter to their 
neighbors in exchange for the use of them, so far as their necessities required." 
The art of knitting was most general. Almost all the women could knit 
hose and half-hose, mittens and gloves out of cotton or wool. Some women were 
adepts in this art. Their work combined neatness, harmony of colors and faith- 
fulness of form that made their product things of beauty and joys for the 
possessor. Some of the men even undertook to learn this art and succeeded 
admirably in wielding the needles in the making of yarn suspenders and yarn 
belts. 

LAND PATENT, OLD GRANTS, QUIT CLAIMS AND DEEDS. 

Patrich Henry, Esquire, Governor of the commonwealth of Virginia, all ot 
Whom these presents shall come, Greeting; k)wzv ye, that by virtue of a 
certificate in right of settlement given by the commissioner of adjusted titles 
to unpatented lands in the district of Monongalia, Yohogania and Ohio, and in 
consideration of the ancient composition of thirty shillings, sterling, paid by 
John Reager into the treasury of this commonwealth, there is granted by tht 
said commomvealth unto the said John Reager, assignee of Paulcer Butcher, 
a certain tract or parcel of land, containing two hundred and eighty-six acres, 
by survey bearing date the first day of !\Iarch, one thousand seven hundred 
and eighty-five, lying and being in the county of Harrison, including his settle- 
ment made in the year 1777 on Buckhannon river, and bounded as followeth, to 
wit: Beginning at a white oak on the bank of said river and running thence south 
fifteen degrees, east two hundred and six poles to a white oak, south sixty-five 
degrees, west one hundred and twenty-four poles to a white oak on the river bank, 
thence down the same with the meanders thereof five hundred and sixty-two 
poles to the beginning, with its appurtenances ; to have and to hold the said 
tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances, to the said John Reager and his 
heirs forever. 

In witness whereof, the said Patrick Henry, Esq., governor of the common- 
wealth of Virginia hath hereunto set his hand, and caused the lesser seal of the 
said commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond, on the twenty-fifth day of October 
in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-six and of the 
commonwealth the eleventh. 

P. Henry. 



328 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

James Monroe, Esquire, governor of the commonwealth of Virginia. To 
all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting; Knozn ye, that by virtue of a 
certificate in right of settlement given by the commissioners for adjusting the 
titles to unpatented lands in the district of Monongalia, Yohogania, and Ohio, 
and in consideration of the ancient composition of eight dollars and eighty-nine 
cents paid into the treasury of this commonwealth, there is granted by the said 
commonwealth unto Samuel Jackson, a certain tract or parcel of land, containing 
four hundred acres by survey bearing date the seventh day of October, seventeen 
hundred and ninety-eight, lying and being in the county of Randolph, on Pecks 
run, a branch of Buckhannon river adjoining lands of George Jackson, Esq., 
and bounded as followeth, to wit: Beginning at a white oak corner of George 
Jackson's and John Reager's and running S. 5 E. 100 poles to a white oak and 
mulberry near Pecks run, S. 18 W. 156 poles crossing said run to a white oak, 
S. 42 E. 32 poles to a black oak, S. 82 E. 100 poles crossing Haw run to a white 
oak and dogwood, N. 40 E. 135 poles to two dogwoods, N. 58 E. 94 poles 
crossing Pecks run to a white oak, N. 21 W. 40 poles to a white oak, N. 48 W. 
160 poles to a white oak, John and Abraham Reager's corner W. 166 poles 
crossing Rock run to the beginning, with its appurtenances ; to have and to hold 
the said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances, to the said Samuel Jackson 
and his heirs forever. 

In witness whereof, the said James Monroe, Esquire, governor of the 
commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his hand, and caused the lesser 
seal of the said commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond, on the twenty-fifth 
day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred, and of 
the commonwealth the twenty-fifth. 

Jambs Monroe. 

Among the old papers of Marcus L. Barrett was found a parchment sur- 
vey dated August 10, 181 1, and conveying a grant of land to Henry White. It 
is interesting to note the description of the land at this time: "A certain tract 
or parcel of land, containing twenty-five acres, situated in the county of Harrison 
on the water of Stone Coal, a drain of Pecks Run and bounded as followeth, 
to wit : Beginning at a walnut tree Henry Jackson's corner and running thence 
to the line of George Jackson's N. 45 W. 270 poles to a beech, thence N. 86 W. 
20 poles to a white oak Samuel Jackson's corner, thence by a line of his S. 45 
E. 270 poles to a stake on a line of Henry Jackson's and thence by the same S. 
86 E. 20 poles to the beginning." 

In the month of March, 1817, George Casto and wife, Sarah, deeded to 
John Hyre sixty-eight acres on Mud Lick run for the consideration of $140.00. 

In the year 1817, George Bozarth and Mary, his wife, conveyed to Peter 
Smith one hundred acres, on the left hand fork of Stone Coal, being a part of 
an eight hundred tract patented by Jacob Cozad. 

In March, 1817, for the valuable consideration of $25.00 George Casto and 
Sarah, his wife, made a fee simple title for lot number 12 in the town of Buck- 
hannon to Alexander Ireland and David J. Jackson. 

On August 9, 1817, Jacob Hyre, Sr., and Elizabeth, his wife, for $640.00 
good and lawful money conveyed to Joseph Ligget one hundred and sixty acres 
on Fink run. being the lower part of a four hundred acre tract conveyed by 
Henry Fink to said Jacob Hyre. 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 329 

On October 30, 181 7, Samuel Jackson and Barbara, his wife, made a deed 
to Isaac Wamsley for three hundred and nine acres of land on Peck's run, said 
land adjoining lands owned by John and Abraham Reger. The consideration 
in this deed of conveyance was $200.00. 

On November 17, 1817, Samuel Pringle, Sr., and Charity, his wife, con- 
veyed to Andrew Cutright by deed for $20.00 fifty and one-half acres of land 
on Cutrights run, near Philadelphia church. 

On the same date as above, the same Samuel Pringle and wife made a deed 
to John Pringle, Sr., for the tract of land on which said John Pringle now lives, 
situate on Cutright's run, and containing fifty and one-half acres. 

On September 20, 1817, Christian Simons and Elizabeth, his wife, for the 
consideration of $225.00 conveyed to George Radabough and Christian Rada- 
bough one hundred acres on Big run, said land being divided by the line of 
Harrison and Lewis counties. 

In the year 1818 John Jackson and Elizabeth, his wife, for the sum of 
$500.00 conveyed to Henry Ours one hundred acres on the east side of Buck- 
hannon river in Randolph county, being a part of a four hundred arce tract 
granted to Charles Parsons by patent of the state of Virginia. 

On September 9, 1818. for the sum of $700.00 Samuel Oliver and Lydia, 
his wife, granted by a deed to Abraham Carper one hundred and thirty-five acres 
of land on Cutrights run, bounded by lands of William Clark, Gillaudott Oliver 
and Abraham Cutright. 

On the same date Gillaudott Oliver and Alary, his wife, conveyed to Abraham 
Carper sixty-seven acres on Lick run. 

On August 18, 1818, J. Daniel Stebbins, of Mass., conveyed by deed to 
Asa Brooks, of Vt., 100 acres on the west side of Buckhannon river. 

On October 4, 1818, Daniel Stringer and Milly, his wife, conveyed by deed 
for fiftv dollars ($50.00) a fifty acre tract of land on Frank's creek to Ebenezar 
Gould." 

On August 28, 1818, Jonathan Thayer, of Brookline, Mass., made a deed 
to Murray Thayer, of Williamsburg, Mass., for one-sixth interest in 1650 acres, 
situate on the west side of the Buckhannon river, being a part of the Daniel 
Whitmore survey. 

In the same year Joel Westfall and Elizabeth, his wife, conveyed to Jona- 
than Barkdoll, of Hardy county, for the sum of $26.75, lot number 10 in the 
town of Buckhannon. 

On March 31, 1819, Isaac Abercrombie, made a deed to Patrick Peebles 
for a two-third interest in three hunrded and fifty acres of land on the west side 
of the Buckhannon river, said land being a part of the Ely and Booth survey. 
The other undivided third interest is held by Mary Thayer. The consideration 
named in this deed is $350.00. 

On May 25, 1819, Jonathan Thayer granted to Alexander Thayer, physican, 
Lucretia Elsworth, wife of John Elsworth, Pectee Thayer and Dency Thayer, 
single women, for the consideration of $100.00 to be paid by Alexander Thayer, 
three thousand and fifty acres. 

In 1819 John Tingle and Sarah, his wife, of Guernsey, Ohio, conveyed to 
Leonard Hyre, Jr., for the sum of $625.00 two hundred and four acres on Brushy 
fork of Buckhannon river, said land being a part of tract conveyed by deed dated 
January 11, 1802, to said Tingle by Mary Bennett and Solomon Collins and 



330 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

Elizabeth, his wife, who patented it in 1791. This deed was proved in court 
by Jacob Lorentz, Henry Reger and William Allman. 

On October 30, 1819, John Jackson of Lewis county, and Henry Jackson, 
Wood county, for the valuable consideration of $75.00 conveyed their interest 
in a one hundred acre tract of land situate on Back run of the Buckhannon 



RAILROADS. 

About the year 1880 the citizens of Upshur county, feeling the necessity 
of railroad transportation, inaugurated a plan by which their needs could be 
supplied. It was the purpose of these citizens to interest themselves in the forma- 
tion of a railroad company which would prevail upon the county court to submit 
to the voters of this county a proposition to take so much stock in the new 
railroad and pay for it by issuing bonds. This movement made two efforts 
before it succeeded with the people. 

On the sixth of April, 1882, the Buckhannon and West Fork Railroad 
was incorporated to run from Weston, in Lewis county, to Buckhannon, in 
Upshur county. In the following month of May, 1882, the Weston and Centre- 
ville was formed and took a lease from the Buckhannon and West Fork Rail- 
road or rather merged into and with it forming the Weston and Buckhannon 
railroad. A narrow gauge road was constructed from Weston to Buckhannon 
and opened for passenger traffic on June 11, 1883, the date of the arrival of the 
first passenger train, and Upshur county by the building of it obligated itself 
in the magnanimous sum of sixty-five thousand dollars toward the construction 
of the new road. In 1889 the earnings of the line had so increased that the new 
company was justified in a large expenditure of money for the changing of the 
narrow gauge system to that of a broad gauge. W. P. Fowkes was local agent 
from 1883 to 1897. 

In September, 1889, the Buckhannon and West Fork railroad and the Weston 
and Centerville railroad were merged into the Clarksburg, Weston and Midland 
and on February 6, 1890, the latter absorbed the Buckhannon River railroad 
which was incorporated on the 20th day of July, 1889, for the purpose of build- 
ing a railroad up the Buckhannon river to Pickens. With the absorption of all 
these roads a reorganization took place and a new name was given to the system, 
namely, The West Virginia and Pittsburg Railroad. 

The West Virginia Pittsburg in turn was sold out to the Baltimore and 
Ohio and became a branch of that great system and oldest railroad running out 
from Baltimore to the west, tapping the rich coal fields east and west of the 
Alleghenies and piercing a rich timber section around the head waters of Monon- 
gahela and Kanawha rivers. This railroad put Upshur county in touch with the 
great and busy marts of the east and gave a market to our timber, our coal, 
our fire clay and our building stone. True it is the magic touch of capital 
has worked a spell over our invaluable coal fields by gathering up and keeping 
them undeveloped for the present. 

The Elkins and Davis people saw the coming importance of a trunk line 
through central West Virginia making an eastern and western outlet for then- 
wide acreage of coal in Randolph, Lewis, Upshur and Braxton counties, co- 
operated with the Wabash interests in the building of what is now known as 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 331 

the Coal & Coke railway, which will run from Elkins, W. Va., to Charleston, 
Kanawha county. This road was begun in 1902 and was completed 1906. The 
southern and northern sections of the road are joined by the completion of 
the central part and Upshur county has running through it a main trunk line 
and a branch road, the former the result of the push and energy of Henry G. 
Davis and the latter the result of B. & O. determination and foresight. 

The B. & O. R. R. Co. in 1903 and 1904 constructed a short line from 
Tygarts \'alley Junction up to the Buckhannon river to Buckhannon for the 
purpose of competing more successfully with the trunk line heretofore mentioned, 
in carrying freight and passengers to the east. Some claim that the B. & O. 
propose to extend this Philippi di\'tsion through Upshur and Lewis counties 
to join another division of said road at or near Burnsville. 

It is known in law as the Pt. Pleasant, Buckhannon and Tygarts Valley 
railroad. 

INDIAN CAMP ROCK. 

At different times and different places, spear heads, stone axes, clay pots 
and other implements of Indian life have been found in Upshur county, but 
the greatest treasury of finding has been at Indian Camp Rock, a large sand- 
stone bowlder, whose high projecting roof ^as a favorite seclusion, resting place 
and camp of the aboriginees of this part of North America. This rock is 
frequented by students of history and collectors of Indian relics yet. Its location, 
on the waters of Indian Camp, which empties into the Buckhannon river, along 
whose eastern bank the West \'irginia and Pittsburg branch of the B. & O. R. K. 
make it easily accessible and a favorite and interesting locality for picnics, 
church festivals, and other outdoor entertainments. 

It is alleged that under the shadows of this impending stone the first 
United Brethem in Christ Church was organized and established in Upshur 
county ; that from this parental organization have sprung up the multitude of 
classes, organizations and churches of that denomination ; that from this original 
and first temple of God this denomination claims an inspiration and benediction 
that is manifesting itself in our county. True it is, that some of the most stalwart 
and valiant workers in this particular church, have and do live in the neighbor- 
hood about and with enviable local pride point to the rock and the grove 
thereabout as the source from whence comes their stimulus to work in the vineyard 
of the Lord. 

In May, 1893, L. V. McWhorter who will be remembered as contributing 
much to "Thwaites edition of Withers Chronicles of Border Warfare," made 
a visit to this rock and employed men to dig in the earth thereabout, whose 
excavations unearthed a great many spear heads, flints, pots, Indian hatchets, 
and even a skull. These findings proved very conclusively that this rock at some 
early date was the home, at least the camp, of the Aboriginees of America. What 
Mr. McWhorter did with the skull, our informant does not tell us, but certain it 
is, that such a discovery was made in company with Berten Phillips, his son, 
Earnest Phillips, and others. 

There is other data pointing to this rock as the rendezvous of the Indians. 
On the Buckhannon river west of Sago and Ten Mile, certain stones are planted 
in the shape of a spearhead, whose sharp end points in the direction of Indian 



332 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

Camp Rock. These rock or pointers the author himself has observed and there 
may be others which aim in the same direction, evidently for the purpose of 
telling wandering bands of Indians where they might find a safe seclusion, 
sheltering protection and a temporary home. 

In the summer of 1895, the Buckhannon district of U. B. Church held a 
ministers institute at Alton. Some one suggested that the institute, as a body, 
visit this camping rock and hold a short session thereunder to celebrate the 
presumed birthplace of the United Brethern Church in this section of the country. 
On July 12, 1895, this body convened under this rock, held devotional services, 
and had talks on the wonders of nature, the American Aboriginees and Prof. 
S. N. McCann delivered an impressive speech on the treatment the whites gave 
the Indians. 

Before the meeting adjourned, it was decided that an inscription should be 
placed upon the overhanging rock and a voluntary offering was asked to defray 
the expense. In the stone is cut, with chisel and hammer, this historical event, 
in these words : 

"Buckhannon District Institute, 
U. B. C, July 12, 1895." 

"BEAR t>EN ROCK." 

Among the noted places of curiosity for interesting and natural scenery 
in Upshur county is what is called "The Bear" Den, situated near, and in sight 
of the B. & O. R. R. , a short distance above the village of Ten Mile and at the 
mouth of Indian Camp run, on the farm Mr. Hiram Bean owns. It consists 
of a mass of rock covering nearly one acre of ground, and in places about fifty 
feet high. At one time it may have been almost a solid rock and by some 
powerful force of nature was riven into separate blocks, with spaces between 
them wide enough for a person to pass with ease. 

The walls on either side of the spaces are nearly perpendicular and show- 
by the general contour that they were once a solid stone, for there are on the 
surfaces of the almost perpendicular walls plain marks, sufficient to show that 
they were once solid. 

This rock was once surrounded by a dense cluster of hemlock trees and in 
one part of the interior there was ice to be found at any time during the summer 
season, but since the most of the trees have been removed from around it there 
is not so much ice to be found, and then not during all the warm season is it 
there. 

STORY OF THREE FR0»!>:CHMEN. 

Some forty years prior to the advent of the Pringle brothers on the waters 
of Buckhannon river, the colony of Virginia had imported for the purpose of 
awakening and encouraging an interest in the cultivation of vineyards, a num- 
ber of French laborers. These Frenchmen applied themselves diligently to their 
undertaking during the tenure of their contracts with the landlord; when the con- 
tract of service had expired, in most cases, renewal could not be had. They 
were free to do whatsoever they liked. Hard labor and scarcity of money were 
drawbacks to the wine business in the new country. They saw its doom in the 




RACCOON MEETING HOUSE. 




HANGING ROCK ON B. & O. R. R. 






I^lHg 


IHI 


yV r^^ '. 


'N 




t 




^ 









MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 333 

more vigorous pursuit of the people after things more necessary to the sustenance 
of life in a pioneer country. Naturally, they turned their attention and energy 
to the pursuit of something more tangible and out of which the comforts of life 
might be obtained. Some experimented with the growth of the mulberry tree 
and traded in the possibilities of the silkworm product arising therefrom ; some 
attained temporary success and notoriety in the planting and cultivation of the 
cotton plant, whose rank growth and size promised fortunes to those who 
assiduously followed that business. A few inflamed with the inordinate imagina- 
tion of youth and ambitious to possess the luxuries of wealth, undertook to achieve 
sudden success in hunting the glittering sand whose particles of gold would 
competently pay them for their pangs of exile. 

Of course, their search for the precious metal took them up all the principal 
streams of Virginia ; and when the head-waters of the Atlantic Virginia failed 
to expose to them the glittering sand Which they sought, hope of discovery yet 
lingered with them and success might crown their efforts should the mountains 
be crossed. This event actually occurred at least twenty years before the first 
settlement in the Buckhannon valley. Three Frenchmen had for long years prose- 
cuted close explorations along the principal streams emptying into the Atlantic 
ocean and having their source on the eastern slope of the Allegheny mountains. 
In vain, did they hunt. The crowning ambition of their Virginia residence had 
not and could not be realized on that side of the mountain. The rugged barriers 
must be crossed ere they would give up hope and dispair of returning home to 
report a great find which would be to them a treasury of comfort, luxury and 
wealth. They climbed the mountain side, traversed and hunted its broad summit 
and descended cautiously and searchingly to the head-waters of the Shenandoah. 
After resting some time on the banks of that noted stream, whose history fills 
the brightest pages of American Memoirs, they wended westward their course 
and ascended another series of mountains whose character and rocks gave 
unhesitating evidence of their cherished hope. On they came westward in 
advance of the empire which would soon spread its beneficient protecting arms 
of law and government over a domain of territory if it did not possess the 
glittering sand, yet was underlaid with an immensity of black diamonds — the 
surprises and wonder of the future commercial age. The life of the forest was 
as attractive as the prospector, in the beginning, and became more fascinating the 
longer it was indulged in. So that our French hunters of gold became hunters 
of game and much preferred the hunting blouse to the mining garb. Ever and 
anon their piercing eyes would catch the glimpse of shining scales embedded into 
the decidous rocks and each one was marked so that the explorers might return 
home that way and take with him a sample stone to show the government and 
to be examined by a chemist. 

The blazed way through the dense and boundless forests was made sufiic- 
iently plain only to guide their returning steps. The lurking Indians must not 
be aware of their intention and destination and purpose, else they would fall upon 
the aesthetic Frenchmen like hungry wolves on the sheepfold and destroy them 
with rapidity and desire. So marks were made that denoted anything except 
to the prospectors. On they came and at length reached the waters of Kanawha 
run of the Little Kanawha river at a point two miles east of the present postoffice 
of Rock Cave where they found a sand or clay which possessed a peculiar richness 
of mineral which they thought was one of the precious metals. To their minds 
it was the Eldorado of the Virginia country and hence they took up their abode 



334 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

near it, awaiting the approach and coming of modern civilization which would 
lend a helping hand to the development and marketing of their precious find. 
Seclusion was the greatest fortress of security in those days, therefore, they took 
shelter under the large overhanging sandstone on the farm of Frederick W. 
Vangilder. This rock furnished them a fort in the time of war, it afiforded them 
shelter in time of storm, it was their temporary home, the inconvenience of which 
would be exchanged for a place of residence in Paris as soon as they could realize 
on their treasury. Years and years these Frenchmen lived under that rock, 
whose rough sides and barren floor were forgotten in the hope that time would 
come when wealth would be theirs and glory and fame crown their future lives. 
Their sufferings were intense. The only food obtainable was that which the forest 
could afford. With the meats of the bear, the deer, the turkey, were mixed 
the flesh of the spotted trout. For a variety to their carnal bill of fare, wild grapes 
and berries were gathered and fluids made out of the bark of trees and the 
mountain-tea plant stayed the destruction and invasion of disease. 

Torturing misery and unbearable indigence made inroads upon them and 
after one of the trio had succumbed under a bed of affliction and his body was 
laid in the dust under the projecting edge of the rock, the remaining brace of com- 
rades and prospectors decided to leave their forest abode, their treasury of gold, 
and betake themselves eastward toward the rising sun where their countrymen 
and the English were eking out an existence in the tide water of Virginia. 

No doubt, our Frenchmen expected to return to the Kanawha valley and 
bring with them such means of transportation as could bear away tons of the 
shining dirt across the mountain barriers where they would be loaded on a ship 
flying English colors and exported to the money markets of London and Paris. 
This they never accomplished, for nowhere does any annal or document tell us 
that a return was ever made. 

A hundred years elapsed before any clue was found as to the destination 
and purpose of these exploring Frenchmen, when Dr. William Curry, who was 
intensely interested in collecting Indian relics, spear heads, and other articles 
descriptive of the character life and the kind of people that once inhabited this 
country, endured the labor of several days in this vicinity to explore and discover 
what traces might be found that would lead to the conviction that the Indians or 
some other people once lived here . It was on one of these trips that excavations 
were made under the rock and a Caucasian skull was unearthed and taken to his 
home at Rock Cave and from there was sent to the Smithsonian Institute at 
Washington, D. C. 

Experts on anthropology and phrenology of that institution carefully ex- 
amined the skull, took into consideration its points of accord and discord, com- 
parison and difference with the skulls of various nationalities of Europe and 
concluded that the skull found by Dr. Curry was that of a Frenchman. 

This story is related here and embodied in tljis volume for the purpose of 
showing that while the Pringle brothers were the first prominent settlers in 
the bounds of Upshur county the tribute of discovery must be paid to the 
Frenchmen who, wild with the desire for money, crossed the mountains, suffered 
excruciatingly in their voyages, landed on the waters of the Kanawha and erected 
under a projecting and impending stone a hovel or hut which may be properly 
styled the first home in LTpshur county. 

Future surveys made by the United States pronounced this glittering sand 
the residuary of the LTpshur sandstone, deeply impregnated at points with mica 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY 



335 



shales and carried down from the hillsides by the agencies of water and weather 
and left in deep piles, particularly at this point so thick and so glittering that even 
some of the citizens of that immediate neighborhood thought years ago that they 
like their French cousins, had found a gold mine or load of silver or a seam or 
a bed of precious sand which would yield untold wealth to the possessors and 
freeholders. 

It is very probable that these explorers gave name to the waters of French 
creek. 

LOGS OF TEST WELLS DRILLED. 

RECORD OF I. S. REGER OIL WELL. 



Conductor 

Water 

Coal, 2 feet 

Sand 

Bottom 

Sand 

Water 

Bottom 

Ten-inch casing. . 

Coal 2 feet 

Sand 

Bottom 

Sand 

Bottom 

Coal, 5 feet 

Coal, 6 feet 

Coal, 4 feet 

Sand 

Water 

Bottom 

Eight-inch casing. 

Sand 

Water 

Bottom 

Sand 

Bottom 

Sand 

Oil 



Feet. 

14 

8o 
185 

225-20 
245 
255 
265-45 
300 
310 

385 

400-10 

410 

530-20 

550 

610 

652 

693 

780 

806-35 

815 

850 

864-76 

874 

940 

,040-60 

:,ioo 

,105-62 

:,i4 



Feet. 

Bottom 1,167 

Red rock 1,167-246 

Bottom 1,413 

Little lime 1,431 

Bottom 1.453 

Pencil cave 1,453-24 

Bottom 1,477 

Big lime 1,477-77 

Bottom 1,554 

Big Ingin 1,554-143 

Bottom 1 ,697 

Gants sand 1,786-14 

Bottom 1 ,800 

Sand 1,808-48 

Oil and water 1,834 

Bottom 1,856 

Sand 1,862-12 

Bottom 1,874 

Red rock 2,015 

Six and one-half casing. .2,121 

Stray sand 2,175-35 

Bottom 2,210 

Sand 2,220-25 

Bottom 2,245 

Sand 2,291-12 

Bottom 2,303 

Finish 2,6i2-j4 



POST FARM WELL, NO. V. 

Thickness, 
feet 

Clay 8 

Quick sand 5 

White sand.^ . ., 12 

Gray Hrpe . 20 

Whife slate 10 



Depth, 
feet 
8 
13 

25 
45 
55 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY 

Gray lime lo 65 

Black slate 20 85 

Red rock 20 105 

White slate 10 115 

Sand with water ( Morgantovvn ?) 15 130 

White slate 55 185 

Coal I 186 

Black slate 5 191 

Gray lime, water 15 206 

Black slate 15 221 

White lime 30 251 

Red rock 6 257 

White slate 9 266 

Gray sand, water 15 281 

White slate 20 301 

Sand 35 336 

Gray lime (Upshur Cambridge ?) 15 366 

Red rock 20 386 

White slate 10 396 

Sand 45 441 

Black slate (Bakerstown coal,) 10 451 

Gray lime 13 464 

Sand ( Mahoning) 72 536 

Lime (probably fireclay) 30 566 

Sand (Upper Mahoning) 15 581 

Black slate 10 591 

Black lime 20 611 

White slate 55 666 

Sand (Lower Mahoning) 15 681 

Coal and slate, gas, Roaring Creek (Arden) 15 696 

Gray lime 10 706 

Lime 50 756 

Black slate 39 795 

Coal and slate 10 805 

Salt sand (little gas) 118 923 

Black slate 10 933 

Gray lime 15 948 

Slate and shells 121 1068 

Sand 12 1080 

Slate and shells 75 1 1 55 

Lime 6 1161 

Slate 29 1 190 

Lime 20 1 2 1 o 

Sand (gas) 8 1218 

Slate 5 1223 

Sand 17 1240 

Slate 35 1275 

Sand, base of salt (Pottsville) 15 1290 

Slate 15 1 303 

Red rock 35 1 340 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY 3 

Lime 20 1360 

Sand 30 1390 

Lime 40 1430 

Slate 15 1445 

Red rock 40 1485 

Black slate and shells 30 1515 

White lime (Big) 65 1580 

Brown lime with black "] 

lubricating oil 50 | 

Red rock 5 j 

White sand 80 J 

White lime 20 1780 

Slate, black and soft 5 1785 

White sand, hard 25 1810 

Black slate 3 1813 

Sand, white, hard 30 1843 

Slate, black, soft 5 1848 

White sand 12 i860 

Hard, black sand 80 1940 

Soft black slate 45 1985 

Red rock 3 1988 

Soft, dark gray sand 40 ] 

Soft white sand 17 | Gantz 

Slate shells 2$ [ and and 107 2095 

Hard gray sand 18 | 50- foot 

Soft white sand 7 J 

Slate 10 2105 

Red sand 107 2212 

Hard gray sand 25 2237 

Black slate 23 2260 

Hard gray sand 15 2275 

Red rock and shells 15 2290 

Slate 25 2315 

Good white sand 20 2335 

Brown sand and red sand 50 2385 

Black slate 15 2400 

White slate 97 2497 

GEORGE BURNER WELL, NO. V. 

Feet Feet 

Soil o to 16 

Lime, white 16 to 22 

Slate or shale, black 22 to 37 

Lime, white 37 to 41 

Coal and slate 41 to 50 

Lime, white 50 to 100 

Sand, white lOO to 117 

Lime, brown 117 to 121 



-MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY 

Sand, and lime, white and hard 121 to 190 

Slate, black 190 to 207 

Slate and sand, black 207 to 244 

Lime, white 244 to 255 

Slate, black, hard 255 to 371 

Sand, white, fine 371 to 391 

Lime, white 391 to 400 

Sand, white, fine and hard 400 to 476 

Slate, black 476 to 587 

Lime, brown and hard 587 to 697 

Slate, black 697 to 712 

Coal and slate 712 to 716 

Slate, black 716 to 726 

Sand, white base Pottsville 726 to 800 

Red shale, light 800 to 840 

Lime, hard and white 840 to 924 

Sand, white and hard 924 to 955 

Shale, red 955 to 1023 

Slate, black, hard 1023 to 1031 

Lime, white 1031 to 1047 

Shale, black, hard 1046 to 1054 

Lime, white 1054 to 1078 

Shale, red 1078 to 1098 

Big lime, white, hard 1098 to 1190 

Sand, white, hard 22 | 

Sand. red. light 12 > Big Injun.. 1 190 to 1360 

Sand, white 136 ) 

Slate, black, sandy 1360 to 1374 

Sand, white 1374 to 1410 

Slate, light 1410 to 1430 

Sand, white 1430 to 1510 

Lime, white 1 5 10 to 1 520 

Red rock 1520 to 1684 

Sand 1684 to 1703 

Red rock 1703 to 1744 

Slate 1744 to 1770 

Sand and shale (water) 1770 to 1795 

Red rock 1795 to 1820 

Sand 1820 to 1834 

Slate, black 1834 to 1866 

Lime, white 1886 to 1878 

Slate 1878 to 1884 

Lime, white 1884 to 1900 

Slate 1900 to 1927 

Sand, stray, light (Httle gas) 1927 to 1933 

Slate 1933 to 1940 

Slate, sandy, light 1940 to 1965 

Slate 1965 to 1980 

Sand 1980 to 2000 

Slate, black 2000 to 2025 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY 339 

NEWSPAPERS. 

Upon the formation of the county many mediocre newspaper men exhibited 
an anxiety to investigate the possibilities of this new field for their worth. The 
large part of the income which supported the local papers in frontier counties 
came from the legal advertisement of county and state. Therefore, the suc- 
cessful pusher of the quill was he who was most familiar and intimate with the 
state and county officials or he who had courage and assumption enough to 
think that he could gain favor from these officials. Such a man was one Mr. 
Shuey who landed in the town of Buckhannon in 1852 and entered upon the pub- 
lication of a local newspaper known as the Northwestern Recorder. The sheet 
was small for it was printed on a job press. One informant tells us that its 
size could not have been greater than 9x17. Evidently the newspaper business 
in Buckhannon was not very remunerative and no sentiment of patriotism or 
local pride abiding with the editor he sold his property on the first opportunity. 
The purchasers were \\'off enden and Cozad. They edited and managed the paper 
as partners for some time and transferred their interest to A. B. Rohrbough, 
who continued the publication until the breaking out of the civil war. 

From the time of the discontinuance of the Northwestern Recorder up 
to the time of the inauguration of the new constitution agitation, Upshur 
county was without a newspaper. In the year 1871 Eugene Sommerville 
founded a new paper and called it the Buckhannon Delta, after the name of the 
town and the shape of the artificial island made by cutting a race across the 
narrows at the Anchor JNlill, that is to say. this tract of land took the form of 
the Greek letter. Delta. 

In the year 1872, A. B. Clark became owner, editor and manager of this 
new paper. He it was who made it one of the strongest defenders of Grant, 
Ha}'es, Garfield and Arthur's administrations and a constant educator of the 
people on all subjects political, industrial and religious. The good work which he 
accomplished can never be over estimated. The conser\-atism of the Delta columns 
under his guidance produced its like in kind among the people. 

W. T. Burnside succeeded A. B. Clark in the management of the Buckhannon 
Delta and he in turn sold it to F. C. Fifer. On February 20, 1899, it was bought 
by C. P. Dorr, C. P. Darlington and E. W. Martin who sold it in the year 1900 
to The Knight-Errant Company, a corporation of strong, leading and influential 
Republicans organized by the author. This company is still extant carrying 
on business of publication as set forth by its charter of incorporation. The Buck- 
hannon Delta has always been a Republican paper. 

The Buckhannon Ijanner was organized and founded in the year 1881 by 
Thomas W. McCreery. a deaf and dumb Democrat who dropped into Upshur 
county with his Democratic leaven the year prior to the founding of the paper. 
In contrast with the Buckhannon Delta it has always been Democratic, its 
political editor, for many years past, being the Hon. George M. Fleming. This is 
the only paper in town which owns its own home. A good one-stor}-. metal- 
sided building stands on Locust street adjoining the residence of the owner, 
Thomas W. :\IcCreery. 

The Upshur Republican was founded by the veteran newspaper man, Capt. 
W. H. Hillery in the year 1901. In fact this paper was transferred from Addi- 
son where it went under the name of the Independant State, which was discon- 
tinued after the election of 1900. 



340 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY 

The Knight-Errant was founded by Hugh A. Lorentz and run for almost 
three years. It was submerged into the Buckhannon Delta in 1901, 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 

The first Bank organized for the purpose of receiving money on deposit and 
lending it on good security was the Exchange Bank of Buckhannon, which began 
business on the 6th day of September, 1881, with D. D. T. Farnsworth, president; 
R. E. Hudkins, cashier; and C. W. Newlon, assistant cashier. The first Board 
of Directors were D. D. T. Farnsworth, Levi Leonard, R. E. Hudkins, G. A. 
Newlon, and D. C. Hudkins. The capital stock was twenty-five thousand dollars. 

T. J. Farnsworth, the present president of the first bank, which was changed 
as to its name to the Buckhannon Bank, has served in his present capacity for 20 
years. This bank still does a general exchange and discount business. 

The Traders' National Bank begun business June 28, 1892. This bank was 
organized under the laws of the United States, and the first Board of Directors had 
as its members G. M. Whitescarver, of Grafton ; W. Brent Maxwell, of Clarks- 
burg; J. L. Hurst, A. G. Giffin, J. A. Crislip, J. W. Heavener, and William Post, 
of Buckhannon. This last member of the first Board of Directors was made pres- 
ident of this institution. He has been a constant, continuous and watchful worker 
for the bank. The capital stock was $50,000 in the organization, and has not 
been changed since. The first cashier was Paul M. Robinson. 

People's Bank of West Virginia, with a capital of $50,000, commenced bus- 
iness on May 18, 1903. This institution was organized under the corporate laws 
of West Virginia, and started oft' with eighty-four stockholders, well distributed 
over the county, and of such esteem and influence as would bring much profitable 
business to any institution for which they labor. The first Board of Directors 
were: S. C. Rusmisell, G. W. Smith, J. G. Hall, C. C. Higginbotham, W. S. 
O'Brien, W. F. \^eihmier, L. H. Forman, A. A. Simpson, E. W. [Martin, J. R. 
Trotter, C. J. Poe, Jerome W. Stuart, O. F. Hodges. Wm. Mearns, C. E. Wliite, 
A. M. Ligget, A. M. Tenney, Jr. The officers elected at the time of the organ- 
ization of this bank were Dr. S. C. Rusmisell, president; E. W. Martin, vice- 
president ; C. W. Heavner, cashier, and A. A. Simpson, assistant cashier. 

Besides these banking institutions, various building associations, foreign 
and domestic, have wrought a great service to the local people in cultivating 
habits of saving, in lending money, and in causing a state of personal prosperity 
which enabled the individual to buy a home on easy terms for himself and those 
dependent upon him. It is a repulsive reflection that some of these loan asso- 
ciations have preyed upon the generosity and ignorance of our people by first 
making them believe that exceptional advantages would accrue in belonging to a 
foreign association, that is, that such association would be nearer the great 
financial centers of the country, and on account of this pro.ximity would be able 
to secure money at a lower rate of interest, and thus furnish it to the local bor- 
rower, cheaper. Some who entered into such associations have learned that 
the expense of running a foreign association is much greater than at first 
thought of. 

FRANKLIN LODGE, No. 7, A. F. & A. M. 

At Buckhannon, was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Virginia, as Franklin 
Lodge, No. 20, of that jurisdiction, on the nth day of December, 1849. The 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY 341 

first ofiicers were : Josiah Bigelow, Wor. Master ; Willis H. Woodley, S. W. ; 
and Clinton G. Miller, J. W. The other members at the time of institution were : 
R. L. Brown, Henry O. Middleton, Henry McFadden, Thomas A. Janney, 
Kosciesko Hopkins, L. L. D. Loudin, J. O. Fretwell, and Mifflin Lorentz. 
Franklin Lodge became No. 7 upon the organization of the Grand Lodge of West 
Virginia. The present officers are : J. J. Deck, W. M. : C. J. Poe, S. W. ; John 
M. Stockert, J. W. ; G. O. Young, Sec'y ; A. J. Boreman, Jr., Treas. ; F. L. Wil- 
liams, S. D. ; Wm. Groscup, J. D. ; S. G. Alexander, Tyler. 

The following persons served as Worshipful Master of Franklin Lodge: 
First, Josiah Bigelow, from 1850 to 1859. (From i860 to 1862 no meetings 
were held.) Nathan H. Taft, 1863 ; Thos. J. Farnsworth, 1864 to 1872, and 1875 
and 1876, and 1896; A. G. Osborne, 1873; A. B. Clark, 1874-1877, and 1885 to 
1889, and 1903; G. A. Newlon, 1878 and 1879; Thos. G. Farnsworth, 1880; S. 
G. Alexander, 1881 to 1884; W. G. L. Totten, 1890 and 1894; D. C. Hughes, 
1891 ; N. U. Hooker. 1892; D. Y. E. Castellete, 1893; W. D. Talbot, 1895; G. M. 
Fleming, 1897; Parley V. Phillips, 1898; Pare M. Boggess, 1899; C. A. Jones, 
1900; C. C. Higginbotham, 1901 ; W. S. Jones, 1902; A. M. Wetzel, 1904; J. J. 
Deck, 1905 and 1906. 

A. B. Clark of this Lodge, is serving his eighteenth consecutive year as 
District Deputy Grand Lecturer of the Seventh Masonic District. 

ROCK CAVE MASONIC LODGE, No. 81. 

This Lodge was organized on the 9th day of February, 1878, and the 
petitioners were A. W. Curry, Amos E. Curry, Loyal MacAvoy, Charles E. 
Mylius, Wm. Mearns, D. W. Clark, and L. S. S. Farnsworth, and the other 
members were, James M. Bennett, Wm. Fiddler, Adam Wilfong, Jesse Bouse, 
Wm. H. Heavner. 

This Lodge was subsequently prospered with Jonathan Bennett, Stewart 
Bird, John A. Bird, A. W. Curry, Peter Crawford, Wm. Childers, Nathan Clark, 
Wm. Fiddler, W. H. Heavner, Benjamin Childers, Wm. H. Houghton, John T. 
Hufif, Loyal McAvoy, Wm. jMearns, Milton D. Mearns. Nathan F. Reger, 
Andrew Wilfong, Wm. K. Wilson, L^onidas L. Wilson, I. L. Windell, C. D. 
Armstrong, James Lancaster, J. Jl Mason, R. L. Townsend, P. L. Sargent, A. 
E. Williams, Thomas Cowell, Porter Childers, Wm. A. Kincaid, R. C. Boggs, 
C. A. Childers, G. M. Hamilton, P. W. Brufify, Andrew Mearns, J. D. Springston, 
L. D. Eagle, G. W. Guyer, T. J. Liggett, N. J. Strader, W. S. Lingle, R. P. 
Young, C. E. Queen, T. C. Sample, G. A. Rexroad, Stillman Young, W. M. 
]\IcKisick, H. M. McKisick, J. L. Rexroad, T. J. Mick, T. Debar, J. D. Propst, J. 
L. Wilt, A. O. Harper, C. E. Nicholas, W. B. Propst, G. S. Andrews, J. L. Hunt, 
H. S. McLain, G. Ashworth, M. Young, S. B. Hamrick, Dr. J. L. Cunningham, C. 
L. Mearns, J. H. Mearns, E. H. Morton, E. C. Young, as members. 

COLUMBIA LODGE, No. 55. I. O. O. F. 
Located at Buckhannon, was instituted under a charter from the grand lodge 
of Virginia, April 5, 1857. The charter members were: William C. Carper, 
Andrew Poundstone, J. H. Rohrbough, M .J. Fogg, William D. Farnsworth, Seth 
Williams, C. P. Rohrbough, and Mifflin Lorentz. Upon the breaking out of the 
civil war the work was suspended and the charter surrendered, but was rechar- 
tered by the grand lodge of West Virginia, and reorganized on the 19th day oi 
April, 1871. 



342 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY 

NATIVE MINISTERS OF GOSPEL. 

The following is a list of the ministers of the gospel who were licensed to 
preach within the bounds of Upshur county, or were natives of the county., 

U. B. I. C. Church.— John P. White, S. J. Graham, Enoch Harper, Asa 
Reese, Mannie Reese, Perry Strader, Seymour Miller, E. L. Reese, J. T. Foster, 
Wm. O. Harper, Amos Hooker, John Rexroad, J. L. Hensley, Lee Westfall. 

M. E. Church.— John Reger, Watson Westfall, B. B. Brooks, Daniel 
Westfall, George Westfall (son of Watson Westfall), J. N. Westfall, Ernest 
Westfall, Oliver Westfall, Samuel Westfall, Elias Bennett, D. H. K. Dix, Isaac 
P. Teter, Alpheus Reger, Abraham Crislip, Asberry Mick, M. S. Mick, Asberry 
Rohrbough, Hanson Reger, Frank Marple O. U. Marple, I. L. Marple, J. S. W. 
Dean, Wm. Young, B. P. Gould, Stillman Young, S. Marple, Clark Rexroad, 
Jacob Waugh, J. R. Williamson, Daniel Cool. 

Methodist Protestant. — EH Westfall, George Westfall (son of George 
Westfall, Sr.), Jacob Reed, John Reese, C. L. Queen, Andy Allman. 

Baptist Church. — Samuel Reese, Stanberry Barl, John W. Carter, Henry 
Carter, Loyd Young, L. B. Moore, J. E. Burr. 

Protestant Episcopal Church. — 

Presbyterian. — J. L. Gould, O. Young, Hale Young, Loyal Young, Evil E. 
Brooks. 

CongregationalisT. — Charles Queen, J. J. G. Graham. 

Dunkard. — Joseph Houser, David Miller, Samuel McCann. 

Independent. — George Lewis. 

Not Known. — Simon Mann (colored), Gideon Nicholas. 

Buckhannon. — The church at Buckhannon (a town of about 3,000) is 
the Protestant Episcopal Church called "The Transfiguration." The name was 
given it by the Rev. Dr. Lacy, under whose ministry it became the property of the 
church in West Virginia. The building belonged formerly to the Southern 
Methodist s. It was badly used during the war, and, after being used very little 
for some years, was bought by our struggling congregation and transformed and 
rebuilt at a cost of about $1,700. 

The history of the Buckhannon Alission on the one hand is one of discourage- 
ment, and on the other, of great encouragement ; discouragement because of its 
weakness and geographical position. The supplying it with anything like regular 
services has been impossible, and of encouragement, because of the deep loyalty 
of its band of communicants. 

In 1893, I took charge of the station in connection with the parrish of St. 
Paul's, Weston, the mission at Sutton and other points. I found a church without 
debt and about sixteen communicants. But, do the best I could, I was only able 
to give them one Sunday every second month and a week-night service the inter- 
vening month. Still, we held together and made some progress. In 1897, the 
bishops connected the missions at Buckhannon and Sutton. In company with 
Rev. B. M. Spurr, I made a canvass of the two congregations, and the salary 
for a missionary was subscribed. I secured the services of the Rev. Thomas E. ' 
Swan, deacon, who remained about one year. The congregation was again 
without a pastor, I supplied them from Weston. A year intervened and the 
bishop secured the services of the Rev. R. C. Caswell. Mr. Caswell stayed less 
than a year, and again the church was without a leader. 

The supplying of Buckhannon and such towns thnnighoiu the diocese is one 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 343 

of the important pressing problems the bishops and the council are trying to 
solve. Buckhannon is a school town, having a large Methodist Seminary with 
perhaps 375 pupils. Our church people are deeply loyal. At present there are 
about ninteen communicants. 

W. S. BURKHARDT. 
P. S. — In July, 1901, Buckhannon was joined with Grafton in one charge, 
under the Rev. Lewis R. Levering, with residence in Grafton. A few services 
were held in Pickens, in Randolph county, by Mr. Caswell, the bishop making a 
visitation on Monday, September 3, 1900. 

THE HISTORY OF SPRUCE RUN MISSION. 

The first time that a minister of the Episcopal Church is known to have 
visited Spruce Run was in 1848, when the Rev. S. D. Tomkins preached in a 
log school house in the neighborhood of the present church. Then about the year 
1889, Dr. T. H. Lacy, rector of old St. Paul's Church, Weston, at the suggestion 
of Mrs. T. A. Hopkins, and at the invitation of Mr. W. Thomas Higginbotham, 
began to hold services in the near-by school house, coming for a time during the 
summer once a month. In August, 1891, the Rt. Rev G. W. Peterkin, the first 
bishop of the Diocese of West Virginia, paid his first visit, when Mrs. L. L. 
Dowell was confirmed, and her four children baptized by Dr. Lacy. At the time 
that the idea of building a church at this point was suggested by Mrs. T. A. 
Hopkins, there seemed, humanly speaking, very little probability of success, 
and now we see, as a result of her faith, the present church building and a 
mission organized. Two acres of land, with the necessary timber, were donated 
by Mr. Higginbotham, a saw mill was set down, and the timber was cut by the 
neighbors, who gladly entered into the work, giving their help in hauling logs 
and the lumber as needed. 

In 1892 the work was commenced, and, at the request of the bishop, Mr. 
W. L. Davis took charge of the work and remained till September of that year. 
In 1894 the floor was laid, and in 1895 rough benches, which were soon removed 
for more comfortable seats, were placed in the church and regular services com- 
menced. In the summer of 1894, Mr. Le Mosy, from the Alexandria Seminary, 
took charge as lay reader. In 1895, the Rev. A. K. Fenton was placed in charge, 
and in July, 1897, Spruce Chapel was consecrated. In the same year a "mission" 
was conducted by Rev. J. Brittingham, and in September of the following year the 
mission was organized with the following officers : William Loudin, warden ; 
John Dowell, treasurer ; Geo. W. Spalding, registrar. 

The mission sent its first delegate. W. Loudin, to the special council held in 
Clarksburg in 1899, for the election of a coadjutor-bishop. At this present time 
fifteen communicants attend the chapel, and there are twenty-eight baptized 
persons who look to the church for ministrations. A small rectory was built on 
the church land in 1897. 

THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST. 
It has been heretofore claimed that this church was an off shoot, or a branch 
of the i\Iethodist Episcopal Church. This is a mistake ; for the first conference, 
held in the city of Baltimore in the year 1789 was composed of seven members 
present, and seven absent ; of the seven present five had been members of the 
German Reformed Church and two of the Menonite Church. The preaching and 
the language used then and for some years afterward was the German. 



344 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

William Otterbein, of the German Reformed, and Martin Bochni, of the 
Menonite Church, were the first and most prominent preachers in the organization, 
and were the first bishops of the organization. 

the; organization in buckhannon. 

There were a few members living in the town of Buckhannon as early as 
the year 1850, only one is remembered by the writer, which was Colurnbus 
Williams and family, who afterward moved to the west; and a son of his born 
in this town is now a noted preacher in one of the western conferences. 

I well remember that there was sometimes preaching in the town by the 
preachers of the church prior to 1854. I attended two quarterly conferences 
held here before that time. One was held by Jacob Markwood, P. E., afterward 
a bishop, and the other by George Rimel, P. E., or Augusta county. 

There being but few members no organization was attempted here until 
the year 1871, when the Rev. A. L. Moore was sent to this circuit and he organized 
a class with the following members, viz : Jacob Heavner, G. M. Heavener, D. 
H. Shoemaker and wife, Samuel Rollins and wife, C. C. Potter and wife. The 
next year H. L. Poling was the preacher sent in charge of the circuit. The Rev.- 
E. Harper lived in a small frame house on the church lot and was presiding 
elder of the district. Then it was that arrangements were made to build a church 
house. Under discouraging circumstances the house was built and afterward 
enlarged and improved. 

The preachers that succeeded the Rev. A. L. Moore and continued up to 
the present time were : H. L. Poling, J. W. Boggess, W. D. Barger, Columbus 
Hall, J. W. Shoemaker, J. O. Stephens, L. S. John, George Weekly, W. O. 
Fries, S. J. Graham, W. M. Weekley, A. P. Sallaz, D. W. Cunningham, George 
A. Doyle, A. W. Phillips, A. M. Lane, W. L. Weekly, G. A. Davis, S. A. Postel- 
wait, A. J. Springston, and G. W. Burdett. 

Five annual conferences were held here, presided over by the following- 
named bishops, Edwards, Glossbrenner, Weaver, Kephart, and Mills. 

A good neat and substantial parsonage has been built on the Island under 
the administration of Rev. G. W. Burdette and is now occupied by him. 

MT. WASHINGTON. 

The church at Mt. Washington was first organized by Rev. John Haney, 
and the first members of the organization were : William Dunbar and some of his 
family, the wife of Solomon Reese, the father of the present Samuel, David and 
.Jonathan Reese. The first church house was a log house and was built between 
the years 'fifty and 'fifty-four. Afterward the old log church was replaced by a 
good and commodius frame building. Some of our best preachers and other 
good men and women were converted at this place and there is yet a prosperous 
membership there. 

SAXD RUN. 

Among the old pioneers of the church at this place were Solomon Day 
and wife, from Pendleton county, and under the administration of Benjamin 
Stickly a class was organized in the year 1853 or 1854. The preaching place was 
at the house of Joseph Hess on the farm now owned by Oscar Casto ; afterward 
a log church was built on the farm of Solomon Day and after this a frame house 
was built in the year 1890 and '91. 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 345 

GLADY FORK CHURCH U.B. 

The first organization of the church was under the administration of the 
Rev. J. C. Jones. The names of Michael Boyles and wife are among the first 
members. 

In the years 1870 and '71 a church house was built and dedicated by Rev. 
S. J. Graham, P. E. In the summer of 1903 the old building was taken down 
and replaced by a new one, which was dedicated by Rev. W. D. Herndon. P. E. 

MT. HBRMAN. 

The first organization of this church dates from the year 1853. The follow- 
ing persons were among the first members, Solomon Harper and family, William 
Heavner and family living three miles east of Buckhannon. These persons were 
from Pendleton county and were found there by Rev. Benjamin Stickly as old 
acquaintances and members of the church. This on the second time that Stickly 
was sent to the circuit. In the neighborhood near the residence of John B. 
Shreve, there was an old free for all, unfinished church or school house, afterward 
finished, improved by the late Ryland Alexander and William Heavener and 
used as a preaching place for a number of years until a new log church was erected 
near the county poor farm, where the present new church stands, and known as 
the Mt. Herman U. B. Church, one and one-half miles east of Buckhannon. 

INDIAN CAMP. 

The church at Indian Camp was organized about the year 1854 by Benjamin 
Stickley and some of the first members were John House and wife, John Cutright 
and wife, Henry Bean and wife, Jane McCan and Andrew Bean, wife and three 
daughters. 

The first preaching place was Indian Camp, which served for a preaching 
place for several years then a log church was built near by and it is still standing 
there, but a new frame church house has been erected about one mile from the old 
house, which is now used as a place of worship by the congregation consisting 
of about one hundred and five members, in a very prosperous condition with 
a good Sabbath school. Preacher now in charge. Rev. L. L. Westfall. 

THE FIRST GERMAN BAPTIST. 
In 1854, Jacob Snell moved from Rockingham county, Va., settling on Big 
Sand Run. His wife, Mary E. Snell, was a devout Christian and the first member 
of the Dunkard Church in the county. In 1857, Solomon Garver and John 
Kline, two German Baptist ministers of Rockingham county, Va., visited and 
preached at the dwelling houses of Joseph Houser and Jacob Snell with the result 
that Houser and his wife were made members of the church and thus the organi- 
zation of the church was completed. Various ministers officiated and preached 
at this church afterward, among them being 'Daniel Thomas, of Virginia; 
Samuel Fike, Jacob Thomas, and William Bucklew, of West Virginia, In 1859, 
the first class was organized, known as the Buckhannon congregation, and Joseph 
Houser was chosen to be minister. In 1862, the first church house was built 
(a log house) on Big Sand Run. In 1865, David J. Miller, a son of Mary E. 
Snells was called to the ministry and in 1869 was ordained to the eldership, taking 
charge of the Buckhannon congregation. In 1887, the old log house was torn 
down and a good frame house was built in its place. 



346 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

INDIAN CAMP GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH. 

William Bucklew held the first meeting at Indian Camp, in August of 1865, 
and converted eight persons. In 1867, in the month of November, Elders S. 

A. Fike, Jacob Thomas and William Bucklew^ held a week's meeting at the resi- 
dence of brother Henry Fultz, at Waterloo, with some more converts, and in 1868, 
William Bucklew converted seven more, at this time he baptized three at the U. 

B. Church at Indian Camp. Minister Benjamin Beaghley, in October. 1870, con- 
verted five more persons at Waterloo and in 1871 Elders Fike and Thomas organ- 
ized the church by electing Thomas Bond to the ministry, and Alexander \\Vjods 
to the deaconship. In 1872, George Cress was elected deacon. In 1877, Samuel 
N. ]\IcCann was elected minister at the age of eighteen years, he was ordained 
elder at Bridgewater College in 1893 and was afterward sent as missionary to 
India. In 1902. the Indian Camp congregation was moved to Beans chapel, 
the dedicatory sermon being preached by E. T. Fike. In 1903, David J. Miller 
acted as minister and was succeeded by Elder J. A. Parish. 

GOSHEN GERMAN B.-\PTIST CHURCH. 

Thomas B. Digman preached at Goshen in October, 1885, and baptized 
twenty-seven persons after a series of protracted meetings. In 1886, Elder D. J. 
Miller held a two weeks' protracted meeting and the church elected M. A. Neth- 
ken and David Sines, deacons. In 1898, the Goshen church was built and dedi- 
cated October 23, of that year. A tabernacle was erected in 1890 for communion 
purpose and more members were baptized at this meeting 

LIST OF TRADING POSTS AND FORTS. 

Fort Cumberland was built by Braddock and Washington in 1755 at the forks 
of Wills creek, and the north branch of the Potomac. It was the most important 
fortress and trading post on this river, becoming, as the years rolled on, the point 
to which merchants went for their goods in exchange for their produce. Jacob 
Lorentz, the first merchant in the bounds of L^pshur county, made several over- 
land trips here and carried away his goods either by pack train or hauled them 
in wagons. 

Fort Frederick was begun in 1756 and finished in 1776. It stood opposite 
Martinsburg, W. Va., and was made entirely of stone, the walls being four and 
one-half feet at the base, three feet at th6 top and twenty feet high. It inclosed 
one and one-half acres of land, the cost was sixty-five thousand pounds sterling. 

Fort Pleasant was on the south branch of the Potomac a short distance above 
Romney, the present county seat of Hampshire. 

Buttermilk Fort was five miles above Fort Pleasant and on the same 
stream. 

Fort Town was one and one-half miles below Morefield, the present county 
seat of Hardy. 

Edwards Fort was located on Cacapon river, three-fourths of a mile above the 
old state road leading from Winchester to Romney. 

Riddles Fort and Wardens Fort were on Lost river some distance apart 
in the present limits of Hardy county. 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 347 

Fort George was near Petersburg, Grant county, and on the waters of the 
South Branch. 

Hedges Fort was on the road leading from Martinsburg to Bathe. 

Seyberts Fort was twelve miles northeast of Franklin, Pendleton county, 
on the waters of the South branch. In 1715, a party of Shawnees, under the 
blood-thirsty chief Killbuck, under promise of protection got possession of this 
fort and killed all but eleven of its occupants. 

Wolfs Fort was located six miles southwest of Woodstock, Virginia. 

Ashbys Fort was at the present sight of Frank fort on Patterson creek. 

Fort Furman was about one mile above hanging rock on the south branch. 
Two miles below hanging rock was Williams Fort. 

Fort Stevens was on Cedar creek, and the sight of Zanes old iron works. 

Westfalls Fort stood a quarter of a mile south of Beverly, Randolph county. 
It was built in 1774 at the breaking out of Dunmores war. It was constructed 
of log houses with port holes in the second story through which the settlers 
shot in defence of their lives. 

The Currence Fort stodd one-half mile east of Crickard, Randolph county, on 
the Tigress valley. It was likewise built in 1774 and was torn down several years 
afterward, the logs being used in constructing a residence. 

Willsons Fort was lower down on the valley river and was constructed in 
1777. This fort was named after Col. Benjamin Wilson, a commissioned officer 
of the Revolutionary war. 

Haddans Fort was at the mouth of Elk Water, twenty miles above Beverly. 
It was built in 1776. 

Friends Fort was at the mouth of Leading creek, and was constructed some 
time during the Revolutionary war. 

Anglins Fort was at the present sight of Philippi, constructed about the year 
1775- 

Minears Fort, built in 1777, was on the present sight of S. George, Tucker 
county. 

Bushes Fort, on Buckhannon river, was built in 1772, it consisted of a two- 
story fort house, the upper story projecting over the lower in order to prevent 
the Indians climbing into it. The upper walls of which were filled with loop holes. 
About the block house was an inclosure of about a half an acre, protected from 
the outside by a fence constructed of posts seven or eight feet long standing on 
end. In this inclosure were several small cabins and sheds for families and 
domestic animals. 

Jacksons Fort was about four miles west of Bushes fort on land now 
owned by Martin Reger. It was the refuge of the settlers at the time that 
the Bozarth family was murdered and carried into captivity. 

COUNTY CREDixORS FOR BOUNTY PAY. 

O. B. Loudin, Lair Dean, Benjamin Gould, Jerad M.. Armstrong, Gentle- 
men Supervisors: I would beg leave to make the following report of operations 
as agent on behalf of Upshur county appointed by your honorable body to borrow 
money to pay bounty to ^'olunteers crediting themselves to Upshur county quota 
under the president's call for the three hundred thousand (300,000) men, 
dated Dec. 19, 1864. 



348 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 



DATE. 

Feb. 23, 1863. 
Feb. 23, 1863. 
Mar. I, 1863. 
Mar. I, 1863. 
Mar. I, 1863. 
Mar. I, 1863. 
Mar. 6, 1863. 
Mar. II, 1863. 
Mar. 13, 1863. 
Mar. 13, 1863. 
Mar. 13, 1863. 
Mar. 13, 1863. 
Mar. 13, 1863. 
Mar. 23, 1863. 
Mar. 25, 1863. 
Mar. 25, 1863. 
Mar. 25, 1863. 
Mar. 25, 1863. 
Mar. 25, 1863. 
Mar. 25, 1863. 
Mar. 25, 1863. 
Mar. 25, 1863. 
Mar. 25, 1863. 
A/[ar. 25, 1863. 
Mar. 27, 1865. 
Mar. 27, 1865. 
Mar. 27, 1865. 
Mar. 27, 1865. 
Mar. 27, 1865. 
Mar. 27, 1865. 
Mar. 27, 1865. 
Mar. 27, 1865. 
Mar. 27, 1865. 
Apr. I, 1865. 
Apr. I, 1865. 
Apr. I, 1865. 
Apr. I, 1865. 
Apr. I, 1865. 
Apr. I, 1865. 
Apr. I, 1865. 
Apr. I, 1865. 
Mar. I, 1865. 
Apr. I, 1865. 
Apr. I, 1865. 
Apr. I, 1865. 
Apr. I, 1865. 
Apr. 8, 1865. 
May 17, 1865. 



NAME OF PERSON. 

Benjamin Gould. 
Ebenezer Leonard. 
Gilbert Gould. 
Charlista Gould. 
Nickleberry Boatright. 
Watson R. Reynolds. 
Harrison Wingrove. 
Abrani Post. 
Daniel Carper. 
Robert F. Little. 
Geo. J. Brake. 
Elana Duley. 
Martin Reger. 
N. C. Loudin. 
A. W. C. Lemons. 
Isaac Lewis. 
William Ludrige. 
Geo. Post. 
Clark Cutright. 
W. W. Lowe. 
John W. Thoansow. 
Addison Warner. 
Patrick H. Russel. 
Hanibal P. Lewis. 
Ithiel Hinkle. 
John G. Brake. 
William W. Warner. 
Henry B. Caricuff. 
Nelson Roberts. 
Lemuel R. Cutright. 
Solomon Strader. 
Asa Henline. 
Enoch Westfall. 
Granville Strader. 
Foster Hinkle. 
Cyrus Hinkle. 
Tudson B. Hinkle. 
N. J. Hinkle. 
M. O. Jackson. 
John Hamilton Crites. 
Jacob Teter. 
Jacob Teter. 
John A. Wazzy. 
Loyal Gay. 
Fountain H. Martin. 
Jacob Brake. 
Isaac Hinkle. 
Ebenezer Leonard. 



NO. 



500.00 
1 ,000.00 
150.00 
350.00 
800.00 
200.00 
150.00 
1 ,400.00 
2,000.00 
110.00 
150.00 
100.00 
700.00 
400.00 
250.00 
100.00 
140.00 
400.00 
50.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
175.00 
390.00 
100.00 
400.00 
400.00 
400.00 
100.00 
400.00 
100.00 

390.00 
65.00 

400.00 
400.00 
400.00 
400.00 
400.00 

350.00 

400.00 
500.00 
400.00 
375-00 
375-00 
400.00 
350.00 
400.00 
500.00 



WHEN DUE. 

Feb. 23, 1867. 
Feb. 23, 1867. 
Mar. I, 1867, 
Mar. I, 1867. 
Mar. I, 1867. 
Mar. I, 1867 
Mar. 6, 1867. 
Mar. II, 1867 
Mar. 13, 1867. 
Mar. 13, 1867, 
Mar. 13, 1867 
Mar. 16, 1867. 
Mar. 16, 1867. . 
Mar. 22, 1867. 13 
Mar. 25, 1867. 18 
Mar. 25, 1867. 24 
Mar. 25, 1867. 51 
Mar. 25, 1867. 6 
Mar. 27, 1867. 14 
Mar. 27, 1867. 16 
Mar. 27, 1867. 17 
Mar. 27, 1867. 15 
Mar. 27, 1867. 29 
Mar. 27, 1867. 53 
Mar. 27, 1866. 30 
Mar. 27, 1866. 12 
Mar. 27, 1866. II 
Mar. 27, 1866. 
Mar. 27, 1866. 31 
Mar. 27, 1866. 34 
Mar. 27, 1866. 33 
Mar. 27, 1866. 35 
Mar. 27, 1866. 32 

Anr T lUf^f, ry 



Apr. 

Apr. 

Apr. 

Apr. 

Apr. 

Apr. 

Apr. 

Apr. I, 1866. 

Mar. I, 1866, 

Apr. I, 1866. 

Apr. I. 1866. 

Apr. I, 1 866. 

.\pr. I, 1866, 

Apr 

Ma> 



1866. 
1866. 
1866. 
1866. 
1866. 



. 1866. 
7. 1866. 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 



DATE. 


NAME OF PERSON. 


AMOUNT. 


WHEN DUE. 




Apr. 4, 1865. 


Job Simon. 


200.00 


Apr. 4, 1866. 


47 


Apr. 4, 1865. 


Geo. Cutright. 


75.00 


Apr. 4, 1866. 


45 


June 22, 1865. 


Noah Swecker. 


400.00 




44 


June 22, 1865. 


Brown M. Waugh. 


400.00 




41 


June 22, 1865. 


Geo. Gum. 


200.00 







BOUNTY SOLDIERS IN CIVIL WAR. 



O. B. Loudin, Lair Dean, Benjamin Gould, E. D. Marple, Jerad M. Arm- 
strong, Gentlemen Supervisors, I would beg leave to make the following report 
of my expenditures as agent for the county of Upshur by your honorable body 
to pay bounties to volunteers crediting themselves to Upshur county's quota 
under the president's call for three hundred thousand (300,000) men, dated 
December 19, 1864. 

The following is the amount of two hundred dollars non-interest bearing 
bonds delivered to volunteers. 



DATE. 

Mar. 3, 1865 
Mar. 3, 1865 
Mar. 3, 1865 
Mar. 3, 1865 
Mar. 3, 1865 
Mar. 3, 1865 
Mar. 3, 1865 
Mar. 3, 1865 
Mar. 3, 1865 
Mar. 3, 1865 
Mar. 3, 1865 
Mar. 3, 1865 
Mar. 3. 1865. 
Mar. 7, 1865 
Mar. 7, 1865 
Mar. 7, 1865 
Mar. 8, 1865 
Mar. 8, 1865 
Mar. 8, 1865 
Mar. 8, 1865 
Mar. 8, 1865 
Mar. 8, 1865. 
Mar. 16, 1865. 
Mar. 16, 1865 
Mar. 16, 1865 
Mar. 27, 1865 
Mar. 27, 1865 
Mar. 27, 1865 
Mar. 27, 1865 
Mar. 27, 1865 
Mar. 27, 1865 



NAME OF PERSON. 

Mathew C. Kelly. 
Lathrop Phillips. 
M. L. Warner. 
John E. Matheny. 
William Frymyre. 
Strather Collier. 
Jehu 'Winemiller. 
Geo. L. Crites. 
Amos B. Lemons. 
Cazwell E. Brady. 
Joshua McCray. 
Elam Duley. 
James H. Patterson. 
William B. Anglin. 
Minor C. Lemons. 
Charles S. Gladwell. 
Ishmael Cutright. 
Anthony Neely. 
George Beer. 
Jackson Smallridge. 
Lafavette Westfall. 
John's. W. Dean. 
Daniel Wilfong. 
James T. Bowyer. 
Abram A. Hinkle. 
Clark Cutright. 
Wm. R. Low. 
John M. Thomson. 
Teter J. Smith. 
Addison Warner. 
Solomon M. Bennett. 



200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 



WHEN 

Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, : 
Mar. 3, : 
Mar. 3, 
Mar. 3, : 
Mar. 3, : 
Mar. 3, : 
Mar. 16, 
Mar. 16, 
Mar. 16, 
Mar. 16, 
Mar. 16, 
Mar. 16, 
Mar. 16, 
Mar. 16, 
Mar. 16, 



DUE 

866, 

866. 

866, 

866. 

866. 

866 

866. 

866, 

866. 

866, 

866. 

866. 

866. 

866, 

866. 

866 

866 

866 

866 

866 

866 

866 

1866, 

1866, 

1866, 

1866. 

1866. 

1866 

1866. 

1866. 

1866. 



350 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 



DATE. 

Mar. 27, 1865. 

Mar. 27, 1865. 

Mar. 27, 1865. 

Mar. 27, 1865. 

Mar. 27, 1865. 



865. 
1865. 
1865. 
1865. 
1865. 
1865. 
1865. 



Mar. 27, 
Mar. 27^ 
Mar. 27, 
Mar. 27, 
Mar. 27, 
Mar. 27, 
Mar. 27, 
Mar. 27, .^v^j 
Apr. 5, 1865. 
Apr. 5, 1865. 
Apr. 5, 1865. 
Apr. 5, 1865. 
Apr. 5, 1865. 
Apr. 5, 1865. 
Mar. 16, 1865 



NAME OF PERSON. 

Pattrick H. Russell. 
Geo. M. Warner. 
Ithiel Hinkle. 
Nelson Roberts. 
Smith Kettle. 
Lorenzo D. Black. 
Solomon S. Strader. 
Martin V. Black. 
Jacob Kesling. 
James S. Demap. 
Elijah W. Hyre. 
Jonathan Moody. 
Richard H. W. Wright. 
James W. Kelly. 
Samuel Smith. 
Nathaniel Moore. 
Geo. W. Ratcliff. 
N. G. Monday. 
Geo. W. Martin. 
Geo. W. Gum. 



AMOUNT. 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 



WHEN DUE. 

Mar. 16, 1866. 
Mar. 16, 1866. 
Mar. 16, 1866. 
Mar. 16, 1866. 
Mar. 16, 1866. 
Mar. 16, 1866. 
Mar. 16, 1866. 
Mar. 16, 1866. 
Mar. 16, 1866. 
Mar. 16, 1866. 
Mar. 16, 1866. 
Mar. 16, 1866. 
Mar. 16, 1866. 
Apr. 5, 1866. 
Apr. 5, 1866. 
Apr. 5, 1866. 
Apr. 5, 1866. 
Apr. 5, 1866. 
Apr. 5, 1866. 
Apr. 5, 1866. 



Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, i86:,. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 3, 1865. 

Mar. 16, 1865. 

Mar. 16, 1865. 

Mar. 16, 1865. 



NAME OE PERSON. 

M. L. Warner. 
Joshua M. Ray. 
James H. Patterson. 
Amos B. Lemons. 
Strather Callier. 
Cazwell E. Brady. 
Lathrop Phillips. 
John E. Matheny. 
Geo. L. Crites. ' 
William Frymre. 
Elam Duley. 
Jehu Winemiller. 
Jacob Teter. 
Mathew Kelly 
Wm. B. Anglin. 
Minor C. Lemons. 
Charles S. Gladwell. 
Ishmael Cutright. 
Anthony Neely. 
Geo. Beer. 
Jackson Smallridge. 
Lafeet Westfall. 
John S. W. Dean. 
Daniel Wilfong. 
James T. Bowers. 
Abram A. Hinkle. 



AMOUNT. 

200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 



351 



DATB. 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

j\Iar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 

Mar. 27, 
Mar. 27, : 





NAME OF PERSON. 


AMOUNT. 


NO 


1865 


Clark Cutright. 


200 


26 


1865 


Wm. W. Low. 


200 


27 


1865 


John N. Thomson. 


200 


28 


1865 


Peter J. Smith. 


200 


29 


1865 


Addison Warner. 


200 


30 


1865 


Solomon M. Bennett. 


200 




1865 


Pattrick H. Russel. 


200 


31 


1865 


Geo. M. Warner. 


200 


32 


1865 


Ithiel Hinkle. 


400 


35 


1865 


Nelson Roberts. 


400 


36 


1865 


Smith Kittle. 


400 


37 


1865 


Lorenzo D. Black. 


400 


38 


186s 


Solomon S. Strader. 


400 


39 


1865 


Martin V. Black. 


400 


40 


1865 


Jacob Kesling. 


400 


41 


1865 


Tames S. Demoss. 


400 


42 


1865 


Elijah W. Hyre. 


400 


43 


1865 


Jonathan Moody. 


400 


44 


1865 


Richard H. W. Pringle. 


400 


45 


1865 


Jacob Roach. 


400 


46 


1865 


James W. Kelly. 


400 


47 


1865 


Samuel Smith. 


400 


48 


1865 


Nathaniel Moon. 


400 


49 


1865 


Geo. W. Ratcliff. 


400 


50 


1865 


N. G. Munday. 


400 


51 


1865 


George W^ Martin. 


400 


52 


1865 


Hannibal P. Lewis. 


400 


53 


1865 


John G. Brake. 


400 


54 


1865 


William W. Heavner. 


400 


55 


1865 


Granville Strader. 


400 


S7 


1865 


Henry N. Carricuff. 


400 


56 


1865 


Lenmuel R. Cutright. 


400 


57 


1865 


Foster Hinkle. 


400 


60 


[865. 


Asa Henline. 


400 


58 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Jacob Leonard, Abraham Phillip. John and Jonas Crites came to this county 
about 1790. They were sons of Michael Crites. 

Nicholas Ours. Sr., son of Sichman Ours, a revolutionary soldier, settled 
at Lorentz in 1794. 

Phillip Reger settled on Brushy Fork on the old Sexton place, now owned 
by M. M. Wilson, in 1795. 

Samuel T. Talbott moved to Frenchton from Harrison county, in 1813. 

Jerry Lanham, the parternal ancestor of the large and numerous Lanham 
family in this county, came to Buckhannon 181 5. 

Zedekiah Morgan, the first New Englander to settle in now Upshur county, 
came here in 1801 from Connecticut. 



352 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

James Bunton came to the waters of tlie Buckhannon river from Massa- 
■chusetts in 1825. 

James Lemmons emigrated from Bath county, Virginia. 

William Smallridge came to this county from Virginia in 1830 

Taylor, Ezekiel and James Townsend emigrated from Bath county, Virginia, ■ 
1832. 

William S. Brady moved to now Upshur from Pennsylvania, 1835. 

Jonathan Hefner emigrated from Highland county, Virginia, to Beech 
Town, in 1838. 

William Lutridge was of Irish descent and settled on the Arnold place on 
Glady fork, 1844. 

William Bennett, father of David Bennett, came into the present bounds of 
Upshur from Walkersville, in 183 1. 

John A. Woody emigrated from Virginia and settled near Holly Grove in 
1848. 

James T. Hull emigrated from Highland county, Virginia in 1840. 

John McDowell moved from Greenbrier county and settled near Centerville, 
in 1848. 

Jacob Henline came from Harrison and settled south of Holly Grove in 1859. 

Berry Johnson settled in the eastern portion of Banks district in 185 1. 

James B. Moore settled at Holly Grove in 1853. 

Silas Bennett married Rebecca Crites, the youngest sister of Jacob Crites, 
who was born in 181 5. 

The Buckhannon Opera House Company was organized in 1903 with a capital 
stock of $25,000. The chief promoters of this enterprise were C. W. Gibson 
and W. L. Foster. Charter members were C. W. Gibson, William Post, C. I. 
Farnsworth, G. D. Hunter and A. I. Boreman. 

The new opera house of brick was built on the east side of Depot street in the 
summer of 1903, and the opening was had September 17, of that year. Cost of 
building, $16,500. Architect was D. C. Hughes, contractor was R. Post. At the 
first meeting of the board of directors W. L. Foster was elected general manager, 
which position he still holds. 

Rock Cave received its name from the Post Office Department, through 
mistaking the name Rock Lava, signifying stone emitted by volcanic eruption. 
These stones were found on Straight Fork run. An impression prevailed that 
a volcano once existed in that section. So Dr. William H. Curry recommended 
that the new post office be called Rock Lava. The Department mistook the 
"L" for a "C" and established the office as Rock Cave. 

The Ireland family derived its name from the passengers on an emigrant 
ship, which found in its hold after leaving an Irish port, a young lad of Irish 
descent, who had deserted his home and stolen his way into the ship and then 
secluded himself until the ship was well at sea. On making his appearance 
the passengers and crew called him Ireland, after the land of his nativity. They 
cared for him, saw him safely landed and provided him a temporary home. He 
was called Ireland from that time on and when manhood came to him, he assumed 
the name given him on the ship. 

Charley Brooks, of Harrison county, attempted in 1862, the first wholesale 
raising and manufacturing of tobacco. He raised three acres of tobacco on the 
now Benjamin Miles farm, built two tobacco houses, sweetened it with home- 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 353 

made sorghum and shipped by the hogshead. He was succeeded in this industry 
by Samuel Lane and Peter B. Wilhams. 

Aaron Ligget owned and operated the first distillery in Upshur county, 
after its formation. The site of this distillery was on the waters of Stone Coal, 
near where Aaron Ligget lived before his death. He operated it from 1853 to 
1855 and then sold it to John O. Core, who moved it to what is now Hart's grove 
at Buckhannon and there it operated until 1855. 

T. J. Ligget, assistant postmaster at Buckhannon, has the copper kettle, 
part consideration his father received for the "still." 

The first fruit trees planted in this county were strong and very fruitful. 
Apples and peaches were introduced about 1800 and soon the trees bore 
so abundantly that the surplus was sold to the distilleries owned and operated 
by Gerty and Jackson. The distillery owned by the former person was known 
as Old Gerty Still House. The brandy manufactured by these distilleries was 
sold at 375^ cents per gallon at retail. 

In the day of spinning wheels 14 knots or 4 skeins were regarded a day's 
work. 

Early marriage laws required the posting of three notices in as many 
different places, of the names of contracting parties and the time for solemnizing 
the marriage. 

The first nails sold by Jacob Lorentz brought 50 cents per ppund. The 
first calico brought 50 cents per yard. 

Samuel Oliver owned the first negro slave in Upshur and worked him on 
his land, which is known as the John J. Burr farm, now owned by Lloyd 
Brake. 

M. J. Jackson had the first mowing machine in Buckhannon district. It 
was second handed and cost him $125. 

Ebenezer Leonard owned the first mower in Meade district. 

Alexander Ireland owned the first mower in Warren district. 

Solomon Day owned the first mower in Washington district. 
Jacob Blosser operated the first steam saw mill in what is now Upshur county, 
on Pecks run, in 1863. After the war, he and his son, Joseph Blosser, who is 
now a famous doctor of Savannah, Ga., sawed out a set on Mud Lick run, on 
the Hyre Brake farm. 

Abraham Hinkle, who founded Hinkleville in 1868, owned the second steam 
saw mill and sawed one set on the Benjamin Miles farm and another set on the 
David Neely farm, near Hinkleville, in 1867. 

:. ■ Charles Temble owned the first thrasher in the county. It was a chaflf-piler. 
This was in 1855. The next one was owned by Clark Cutright in 1857. The 
"first thfasher south 'of Buckhannon was owned by David Phillips. 

■"^The poor farm, ea^t of B^ickhannoij, was bought in 1880, sale being 
confirmed on June 16 of that year, and deed made by G. A. Newlon for 70 
acres at $2,100, June 19 of that year. The committee appointed to make the 
purchase was composed of W. D. Farnsworth, J. J. Reynolds, Archibald Hinkle, 
Peter T. Lynch, Ebenezer Phillips, Wilson M. Haymond, overseers of the poor. 
Commissioners to contract for the building were B. F. Armstrong, David Poe 
and W. D. Farnsworth. George W. Ratlifif got the contract for the masonry 
and John W. Hinkle for the carpenter work. 

The first contract for keeping the poor on this farm was let to Marshall 
Gould and John C. Brady for $1,398 per year. 



354 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

Samuel Meerbach came from London and settled on the waters of French 
creek about 1822, was the first jeweler in now Upshur county, was a tinker and 
a hermit. He died very suddenly and was found on his bed of rags and skins 
in his home on what is now known as the Jacob Lewis farm, on French creek. 
It is supposed that he had burried some gold and silver near his home. Efforts 
have been made to find it, but all excavations have proved futile. 

John Hacker was the first blacksmith in now Upshur county. His shop 
was located at Lorentz. 

Jacob Lorentz kept the first store at the same place. His goods were carried 
over the mountain from Cumberland, Md., and Staunton, Va., on pack horses. 

Nathaniel Peck came from New England, discovered and settled on the 
waters of the creek now bearing his name, in Warren district. He removed from 
this section of the now Upshur county to the upper falls of the Little Kanawha 
river, where he built a grist mill, in 1825-28, out of poles and logs. The lumber 
out of which the overshot water wheel and the inside finishings were made, was 
manufactured at Aaron Gould Mill, at French Creek and was carried by him 
on his old horse, John, through the woods to the site of the new mill. His 
emigration from Massachusetts occurred about 1820. 

George Bozarth is said to have discovered a lead mine on the waters of 
Turkey run in 1792, but no traces of it are now known. 

The first road wagon used in now Upshur was owned by Jacob Lorentz. 
He bought it at Beverly in 1800 and hired Abrani Carper to move his household 
goods across the mountains in 1801. 

The first wagon built in Upshur county was constructed and owned by 
Mr. Taylor, son-in-law of Festus Young, it was all wood. 

First Beech Town M. E. Church was built in 1836. 

Centerville was first called Bob Town, after Robert Curry. 

Sheep were first introduced into Upshur county in 1810. 

The first blacksmith in Buckhannon was Zedekiah Lanham, 1825. 

Jacob Lorentz early in the last century took 937 hogs in one drove across 
the mountain to Richmond, Va. He took with him several hands and a wagon 
load of corn. The corn was fed to the hogs and the wagon ofttimes bore as many 
as a dozen hogs which had given out and could not travel. 

The oldest copybook in Upshur county is owned by Bascom L. Brown, 
deputy county clerk. (See history of B. L. Brown.) 

The first wheat sown in Upshur county was raised by a man by the name 
of Upton, on the John Burr farm, on Cutright run. 

The first brick house in what is now Upshur was built by Jacob Lorentz, 
at Lorentz. It is now owned by J. J. Peterson, the son-in-law of George P. 
Eckess. William Tulle did the carpenter work on this house. 

The first brick house in Buckhannon was built by James Mullin, in 1846, 
on Main Street, near the court house, now the property of Lyall A. Mullin. 
Woodson Martin was the bricklayer. 

Abraham Carper was the first hat maker in Upshur county. 

George Lorentz owned and operated the first tanyard in what is now 
Upshur. It was located west of Lorentz, near Seymour. 

Adam Post, Jacob Lorentz and Abram Carper were the first stock dealers 
in the Buckhannon settlement. 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 355 

Woodson Martin, the father of George Martin and the grandfather of Jacob, 
Robert and WilHam, was the first brickmason of what is now Upshur. He moved 
here in 1844. 

D. J. Carper introduced the first Hereford cattle. It is claimed that Levi 
Bond, of Hackers creek, owned a herd a year or two before. 

In the panic of 1847, cattle sold for $2 per head and sheep at 50 cents per 
head. 

Samuel Oliver made wool hats for the people after he came here from New 
England. 

Daniel Haynes, Henry Winemiller and Aaron Gould were drafted at Nor- 
folk, Va., in the war of 1812. Aaron Gould's wife drew a pension from the 
services of her husband in that war. 

Cumberland was the trading point for our merchants after 1840. James 
Peebles was the wagoner from and to Cumberland for many years. 

The' architect of the Aaron Gould Mill at French Creek was Elmore Hart. 

The first garden seed used in the county was brought by the New Eng- 
landers in 18 10. They called the tomato, which they found here, the Jerusalem 
apple. 

Ezra Morgan and Amos Brooks kept a small store on the now Andrew 
Buchanan farm, near French Creek, from 1820 to 1830. The next store in 
this section was owned by Levi Leonard. 

The first tailor was Miss Young, who went from place to place, seeking and 
doing work. She was lost in the woods on one of these trips and had to remain 
out all night. In order to eliminate her bewilderment, she tied flax along the 
pass she traveled and this prevented her from crossing and recrossing her path 
without knowing it. 

Joseph McKinley first settled on the John Douglass farm, and Isaac Parker 
on the Harvey Armstrong place, at Frenchton. 

Samuel Wilson, John and James Curry and James Anderson emigrated 
from Highland county and located at Frenchton. 

James Barrett was the first peddler in now Upshur county. He and Dr. 
Brooks afterward kept a store near Frenchton and bought sataratas, giving 
goods for it. 

John Wesley Wilson had a store in Centerville, 1851-52 and hauled his 
goods from Romney. He sold suits of clothes for $20 and $25. 

FIRE ON MAIN STREET, BUCKHANNON, OCTOBER 5, 1894. 

PARTIES DAMAGED. 

F. C. Fifer's drug store. A. B. Clark building, J. L. Smith's saddle shop. 
James Ray's bakery. W. D. Talbott's office. G. M. Fleming's residence. 
Dr. Brown's residence. F. G. Smith's marble shop. Banner office and Editor's 
residence. N. B. McCarty's business house. Dr. Blair's drug store, occupied 
by Dr. J. R. Mathers. J. N. B. Crim, dry goods store. Tillston Jenney, drug 
building. Whitescarver & Brake, hardware store, building owned by Miss 
Cowles. Two store rooms owned by T. J. Farnsworth. James A. Davis, store 
room and residence. G. H. Clark's harness shop. C. E. Mylius, jewelry store. 
Mrs. D. D. T. Farnsworth's building, occupied by A. G. Kiddy, furniture. Two 
store rooms owned by T. J. Farnsworth. John M. Stockert's feed store. 



356 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

First lawyer in lUickhannon was Gruber Pinnell ; first physician, David S. 
Pinnell ; second physician. Dr. Adam Spitler. 

First Insurance office. Dr. G. A. Xewlon and G. M. Fleming, X. P. Sexton, 

successor. 

FIRST CEREAL AND ITS MANUFACTURE INTO MEAL. 

Among the articles artfully and successfully secluded and borne away from 
Ft. Pitt by the Pringle brothers were a few small measures of Indian corn. 
This small quantity of corn was the seed from which was to come and did come 
a limited crop, a part of each year and a part was carefully stored away, some- 
times in the attic, more often was fastened by cords and bark to the joists 
across the entire width of the one-roomed, one-story house there to be assiduously 
guarded and saved as seed corn for next year. Corn was cultivated exclusively 
by the first settlers. It was the only cereal which would yield an abundant harvest 
with so little atttention and care and in so short time. 

As time sped away other settlers came and brought with them the other 
cereals which were planted and grown with varying degrees of success. 

When we remember that this New World plant grew and matured with com- 
paratively small demands upon the intelligence and industry of the cultivator, 
we can readily understand its great importance to the pioneers and settlers in 
establishing settlements and founding homes. . Originally it could be planted 
without clearing or ploughing the soil. It was only necessary to girdle the trees 
so as to destroy their leaves and let in the sunshine. A few digs and scratches 
were all that was necessary and seed once dropped in took care of itself. The 
ears could hang for week's after ripening, and could be pinched off without 
meddling with the stalk ; there was no need of threshing or frailing. Old World 
cereals need much more intelligence and industry in their cultivation. Again when 
Indian corn, or maize, was sown in tilled land it yielded with little labor more than 
twice as much food per acre than any other kind of grain. This was of incal- 
culable importance to early settlers who would have found it much harder to 
gain and maintain a foothold upon the soil if they had been forced to prepare 
ground for wheat and rye. Indian corn in Upshur county played the same 
part as the potato in Peru, and the tobacco in Virginia. The methods of preparing 
the matured ear were the inventions of necessity. Devoid of the means required 
to construct, and the support needed to keep up mills, water and steam, the early 
settlers employed their native genius in inventing what they could not borrow 
from the Indians who frequented their home and enjoyed their hospitality. 
It is probable that the roasting process was used by the Pringle brothers so 
long as they were the only white men in the settlement. That is they would take 
the ear from the stalk with the bucks on and lay it down in a bed of coals and 
leave it there until it was thoroughly parched. This process was used most gener- 
ally when the corn was in a pulpy condition and made it very palatable and easily 
digested. When the grain was more matured and harder they used a device 
called a grater. The grater was simply a smooth planed board about three 
feet long to the edges of which near its center was fastened a piece of tin or sheet- 
iron six inches long and wide enough when fastened, to bulge over the board 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. " 351 

three inches in the center the highest point and diminishing as the edges were 
approached where it was nothing. This tin or sheet-iron was pierced witb 
holes made usually with some sharp instrument or a nail which left the side 
opposite where the instrument entered very rough. This rough side was turned" 
up and the tin or sheet-iron nailed to the board. The ear of corn was pushed 
up and down over the rough metal surface until all the grains were grated off 
the cob and the gratings were conducted to a suitable receptacle. Now, this little 
machine was very useful in its day. The hunter and farmer, or their wives, 
could sit down with a dozen ears of corn two hours before breakfast, dinner or 
supper and in an hour would grate enough meal for the Johnny-cakes eat by any 
ordinary family at one dining. Evolution was manifest in the processes of grain 
preparation in the new settlement. More emigrants, more meal. The grater 
was supplanted by the hand and horse mill. The hand and horse mill was a 
domestic machine. The hand mill was the first in time. This little contrivance 
had two stones, a lower and upper, the former stationary, the latter revolving. 
These stones were chiseled out of rock and grooved so that they would accom- 
plish the malleation of the grain and its reduction to meal. The grain was 
dropped into a hole in the center of the upper stone by means of a regulator. 
The rotary motion of the stones was produced and kept up through the attach- 
ment of a pole in a concave of a joist or beam above and dropped into a chiseled 
concave in the upper stone, near its outer edge. The man seizing this upright 
pole, gives it a whirling, wood-lay motion, which when continued will grind the 
grain into meal. This was a laborious way of grinding and cranks were intro- 
duced to lessen the labor. The horse mill was run on the same principle, 
except that the stones were made to rotate by means of a horse attached to a 
lever which the horse pulled, the faster the horse went the more rapidly the stones 
'rotated and the more meal would be ground. 

BUCKHANNON AND SURROUNDING COUNTRY FORTY YEARS 
AGO. 

BY ONE OF THE MUSES OF TH.^T PERIOD. 

Through the kindness of Dr. and Mrs. G. A. Newlon, who preserved it 
for years as a precious souvenir, we are able to give our readers a bit of 
original poetry of that day and time that is well worth keeping. 

Who lived here forty years ago? 

Doubtless some one would like to know, 
And if my memory'll serve me well, 

I'll undertake to try to tell ; 
Who walked among us to and fro, 

Not far from forty years ago. 

If I'm correct I do believe, 
I ~ The first we know was John B. Shreve; 

Adam, and .Absolem on the ridge 

While farther east, lived Edmond Bridge ; 
And Henry Our down the road. 

And just between, lived Mr. Wood. 



358 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

Then Jacob Heavner east of town, 
Not far from Mr. Richard Brown; 

While going east — just to the right, 
We will remember Isaac White; 

Abram Hess — John Lewis' son-in-law, 
Lived very near to Levi Paugh. 

Then westward traveling on our round. 
Was Major Reger, near the town ; 

While Col. Westfall lived near by, 

And "Nathanial" Farnsworth was nigh. 

And now lest we should make mistake, 

We'll speak of John and Abram Brake. 

Now, Isaac Cutright, a shining mark, 
Near Sago, too, was Mr. Clark; 

Not far below was Ephriam Furr 
On French; also, Elbridge Burr; 

On Childer's run lived Mr. Harper, 

And west of him was Adam Carper. 

The Hinkles ; Job, with all his brothers. 
Were living then, with many others ; 

Including all the Posts, you know, 

With two good brothers, called Mayo; 

And if you'd been upon the scene, 

You would have met with Mr. Dean. 

The Keslings, too, not far away. 
And Pifers living at that day ; 

With Jacksons, Straders, Lorentzs, too; 
Castos, and Cutrights, not a few. 

While Mr. Trimble could be found 
Right in the superbs of the town. 

Rollins, and Reases east of here. 
And up the river Mr. Beer; 

Fogg, and Hopkins, too, we knew. 
And William Rexroad, too! 

Miller and the Middletons once dwelt by. 
To tell of all we'll cease to try. 

We might have told right at the first. 

Of our neighbor, too, named Mr. Hurst.; 

Of Uncle "Alley" just in sight, 

A little east was William White, 

The Rohrboughs, too were living then ; 
"Len" Loudin, with the sons of men. 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 359 

Then Thomas Chipps and Jacob Waugh, 

Upon our streets we often saw ; 
And there was Uncle Dave Pinnell, 

And Doctor Spitler as well, 
These men were living as we know, 

Not far from forty years ago. 

Others whose names to friens most dear. 

For whom they've shed the burning tear. 
We'd like to write of them as well, 

And of their virtue freely tell ; 
But memory fails us as you know. 

For they lived forty years ago. 

Now, readers, who will walk these streets. 

Where you and I so often meet, 
And greet each other by the way. 

As we are passing day by day. 
From church and market to our home — 

Who'll know us forty years to come? 



GOVERNORS OF VIRGINIA. 

1776 — Patrick Henry. 1822 — James Pleasants. 

1779 — Thomas Jefiferson. 1825 — John Tyler. 

1781— Thomas Nelson. 1827— Wm. B. Giles. 

1781 — Benjamin Harrison. 1830 — John Floyd. 

1784— Patrick Henry. 1834— Littleton W. Tazewell. 

1786 — Edmond Randolph. 1835 — Wyndham Robertson, 
1788 — Beverly Randolph. (Lieutenant governor.) 

1791— Henry Lee. 1837— David Campbell. 

1794 — Robert Brooks. 1840— Thomas W. Gilmer. 

1796 — James Wood. 1841 — John Rutherford. 
1799 — James Monroe. (Lieutenant governor.) 

1802 — John Page. 1842 — John M. Gregory. 
1805 — William H. Cabell. (Lieutenant governor.) 

1808 — John Tyler. 1843 — James McDowell. 

181 1 — James Monroe. 1846 — William Smith. 

181 1— George W. Smith. 1849— James B. Floyd. • 

1812 — James Barbour. 1852 — Joseph Tohnson. 

1814— Wilson C. Nicholas. 1856— Henry A. Wise. 

1816 — James P. Preston. i860 — John Letcher. 
1 8 19 — Thomas M. Randolph. 

GOVERNOR OF REORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF VIRGINIA. 
1861 — Francis H. Pierpont. 



360 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 

GOVERNORS OF WEST VIRGINIA. 

1863 — Arthur I. Boreman. 1890 — A. B. Fleming. 

1868— William E. Stevenson. 1893— William A. McCorkle. 

1871 — John J. Jacobs. 1897 — Geo. W. Atkinson. 

1877— Henry M. Mathews. 1901— Albert B. White. 

1881 — John B. Jackson. 1905 — W. M. O. Dawson. 
1885— E. Willis Wilson. 

A STORY OF PERSONAL STRENGTH. 

The settlers, brought together and held by the paramount feeling of mutual 
protection against savage forays for so many years, and inured to hardships 
indescribable, were very remarkable in their endurance and strength. The 
fireside conversations of the early, bold and hardy inhabitants consisted mainly 
in relating each to the other and to the members of their respective families 
their trips of bold adventure, successes or failures of hunting expeditions and per- 
sonal feats of strength and endurance. Numerous were the instances, when a 
band of hunters would return from the chase with a deer, a piece on their strong 
backs held in position by either hand grasping either leg of their game. One 
man, alone, is said to have killed a deer for every day in the month of January 
of which record he was justly proud and gave him good reasons to boast of his 
hunting ability. But the most remarkable authentic story of personal strength 
we have from tradition is this : : Philip Reger, who had done some very valuable 
scouting work for the settlement, and his companion, Samuel Jackson, on an 
occasion after the year 1795 went out to Big Skin creek for the twofold purpose 
of ascertaining the possibility of savage presence and incidentally killing what 
game might cross their path. Hidden in the thick underbrush on these waters 
to evade observation, Reger was bitten by a rattle snake which is very venomous; 
these dangerous serpents were very numerous among the rocks and thickets of 
this woody country. Soon after the fangs of the poisonous reptile had entered 
Rfeger's flesh he became blind and fearing that exertion on his part would cause 
a dangerous state of heat to his body and facilitate the fatal spreading of the 
poison, the two scouts were in a dilemma how the snake-bitten man should get 
back to the fort. Jackson was an exceedingly bold strong man, knowing on limita- 
tions of his endurance and power and he proposed to take no chances and carried 
Reger to the fort. On the back of this strong man, Reger with their two guns, 
and the snake which had thrown its deadly fangs into him, rode triumphant 
for eight miles into the fort. Arriving at the fort and pursuing the superstitious 
remedy known to them for snake bite, the reptile was cut open and applied to 
the poisonous wound. The remedy failed. Reger says, "I threw it away. It 
was so cold it seemed painful." .Another and better cure of removing poison 
was adopted. But history can furnish fewer instance of greater strength and 
endurance than that of Jackson on this occasion. 

BEAN'S MILL. 

This rare remnant of an almost former civilization, at least of a prior genera- 
tion, was first constructed out of logs by Jonathan Outright on the site of the 
present mill in 1845, ^nd was run by waterpower, carried through a race and 
tumbled into a bin, containing a tub wheel. 




GOV. 1). D. T. FARNSWORTH. 



MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 361 

The present mill was erected about twenty-five years ago by Henry Bean, 
the father of the present owner, Charles A. Bean, and grinds wheat on the old- 
fashioned buhrs still. Its principal trade is grinding corn and buckwheat for 
which it has a capacity of five tons per day, when in good running condition. 

CRITES" MILL. 

This mill is located at Selbyville, one-half mile north of the B. and O. 
station of Newlon. It was first built in 1854, by Mr. Meredith, the site having 
been given by Leonard Crites, the owner of the land on which it now stands. 
It was a frame mill, the lumber having been sawed by hand. It did custom work 
only, grinding corn, wheat and buckwheat, the last two of which, through a 
home-made swiss cloth, by hand. In 1856, Abram C. Crites bought it and run 
it practically as he found it until 1883, when it was rebuilt. On account of sick- 
ness and the death of Mr. Crites it was not finished until 1886. It was then run 
by his son, Phillip Crites, for several years, but now is not in operation. 

LIST OF FREE NEGROES IN THE COUNTY OF UPSHUR FOR THE 
YEAR 1859. 

Cochran, Wilson, male, laborer. 
Dean, John, male, chairmaker. 
Martin, John- H., male, laborer. 
Martin, Richmond, male, laborer. 
Martin, Mariah, female, housekeeper. 

The above is a list of the free negroes in the county of Upshur who are over 
twelve years of age. 

LIST OF ALL NEGROES OVER TWELVE YEARS OF AGE IN THE 
COUNTY OF UPSHUR FOR THE YEAR i860. 

Dean, John, male, chairmaker. 
Cochran, Wilson, male, laborer. 



CHAPTER XXn. 



THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY 

BY SARLE AMOS BROOKS, A. B. 

Upshur county is rich in bird life. Lying, as it does, near the center of the 
state and having considerable variation in altitude, and a consequent variation 
in plant and insect life, we may expect to find here nearly all the birds which 
ever cross the borders of our state. Buckhannon river and its tributaries 
afford feeding places for many water birds, the elevated portions of the county 
are favorable to northern species, and the lower cleared and wooded areas are 
the homes of nearly all the birds which may be expected in this latitude. Our 
county is near the borderland between the north and the south. Most of it is 
in the transition life zone. Consequently, we have many southern birds in the 
summer and frequently stragglers from the north in winter. 

Our birds have been neglected. There is, perhaps, no state east of the 
Mississippi river in which so little ornithological work has been done. Celebrated 
bird-students have visited a few of our counties, for a brief season, but much of 
our territory is still unexplored by this class of scientific workers. And, to tell 
the truth. West Virginia is a rich field for the researches of scientific students of 
almost all classses. 

These remarks concerning the state at large apply equally well to Upshur 
county. Mr. Wm. D. Doan, who was, a few years ago, ornithologist at the 
West Virginia Experiment Station, while hurriedly compiling a list of the birds 
of our state, spent several days in Buckhannon. In his list he mentions a few 
species that have been taken near that town. Aside from this, it seems that 
nothing has ever been published on the birds of Upshur county. 

The writer has studied the birds of this county, at odd times, for the past 
ten or fifteen years, and has found much pleasure in pioneering in the region 
with such an interesting avifauna. Nearly all the observations, upon which the 
following list is founded, were made on a farm near French Creek — a small 
village in the west central portion of the county. As might be expected, and 
as may be seen by a glance at the list, the land birds only have received much 
attention. It has been inconvenient for the writer to work up the water birds 
of the county. If it were possible, at present, to make a thorough study of our 
birds at all seasons of the year and in every section of the county, the list could, 
in all probability, be increased so as to number two hundred species. 



THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 363 

This list is merely provisional. However, it will serve as a basis for future 
investigations, and may lead some one to take an increased interest in this sub- 
ject. No one must understand that this list is intended to be a complete 
one. It is far from it. Only those birds which have been observed by the writer 
and those which have been reported to him by perfectly reliable persons are 
admitted to the list. 

Special attention has been given to migration in the brief consideration of the 
various species. As is well known by many readers, a great majority of our birds 
pass southward in the fall to some warmer region where they spend the winter. 
In the spring, a flight is made in the opposite direction. To do this, long journeys 
must be made. To those who have not studied birds, it will seem strange that 
these flights of thousands of miles are made in the night. Only a few of our 
species migrate in the day time. If any one will go to some high hill, at any time 
in the night, during the spring or fall, he may hear the faint chirps of the myriad 
hosts of birds as they pass over on their long, dark journey. The migration 
of birds is a wonderful phenomenon. Scarcely any thing in all nature is so 
interesting. 

"Quam multa in silvis autumni frigore primo 
Lapsa cadunt folia, aut ad terram gurgite ab alto 
Quam multae glomerantur aves, ubi frigidus annus 
Trans pontum fugat et terris inmittit apricis." 
— X'ergiFs Descent into Hell. 

On the 27th day of April, I can go to the woods or even step from the road- 
side into some neighboring orchard and see hundreds of birds, joyous in song 
and gorgeous in plumage, which have just returned from their winter homes 
in the southern states, Mexico, Central America, or even South America. 
Small pilgrims of the night which have braved all sorts of perils by sea and land ! 
Rare visitors from the islands of the ocean ! Again in the fall, I go into the woods 
and see the birds returning with their young. They have put on a more somber 
hue and sing less. Yet, when I see the Black-throated Blue Warbler, which 
has just come from his home among the coniferous forests of our northern states 
and Canada, I experience scarcely less pleasure than when the birds returned 
in the spring. Bird migration can be studied anywhere, and whoever takes up 
this study will find in it a scource of endless pleasure and an inspiration akin to 
that which came to Bryant when he wrote his famous lines "To a Waterfowl." 

It is specially desirable that the agricultural classes of our county should 
learn something of the birds which are so common. In view of the enormous 
amount of insects which are consumed daily by the birds, we must conclude 
that they play a great part in the economy of nature. They must either do much 
good or much evil. 

It is most earnestly desired that these introductory remarks and the brief 
notes on our birds may lead some of our farmers or farmer's boys to become 
students of birds and other forms of life. It has been said that the farmer is 
the best naturalist in the world. Whether this is true or not, it is very certain 
that he might be such. 

A few weeks of careful study is all that is necessary to convince any one of 
the interest, and use, and the importance of the birds of this county. Stimulated 



364 THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

by this first work on the birds of Upshur county, let someone take it up and carry 
it on to perfection. 

French Creek, Upshur County, W. Va. 

August 21, 1897. 

PROVISIONAL LIST OF UPSHUR COUNTY BIRDS. 

ARR.^NGED ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION CHECK-LIST OF 
NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 

(Note. — For description of species that are barely mentioned in this list, 
readers are referred to Ridgway's Manuel of N. A. Birds or to Key to N. A. 
Birds, by Dr. Coues.) 

I — PIED-BILLED grebe. 

Podilymbus podiceps. 

This bird is commonly called the Diedipper or Dabchick. It has been seen 
occasionally on French creek and is not uncommon along the Buckhannon river. 
Like all divers, lives principally on fish and other water animals. Upper parts, 
brownish-black ; under parts, ashy. 

2 — LOON. 

Urinator imber. 

The Loon, or Great Northern Diver, is found in this county during cold 
weather only. It breeds in the north and spends the winter in various parts of 
the United States. This great bird is so generally known that no description 
need be given. 

3 — MALLARD. 

Anas boscJtas. 

This is our most common duck. It may be seen along any of our larger 
streams and may be known by its close resemblance to some of our domestic 
ducks. 

4— CANADA GOOSE. ■ 

Branta canadensis. 

The common wild goose passes us twice each year on its semi-annual migra- 
tion flight. In the spring, flocks may be seen passing north at any time from 
February 15 to the last of March. In the fall they may be observed from the 
20th of October to the 15th of December as they pass to the south. This bird 
breeds in Canada and the northern part of the United States. 



THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 365 

5 GREAT BLUE HERON. 

Ardea hcrodias. 

Very frequently these birds are called cranes. The writer has never seen 
a true crane in this county. These large herons may be observed occasionally 
along any of our water courses. A fine young bird of this species was taken in 
a fish pond by Mr. A. B. Brooks in August 1897, and is now in my possession 

6 GREEN HERON. 

Ardea virescens. 

A common bird along all our streams, where it feeds on fish, frogs, and other 
forms of aquatic life. It can be easily recognized by its long neck and legs. 
Blue and chestnut-brown are the prevailing colors — the green being of a bluish 
cast. 

7 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. 

Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. 

This large bird may be heard, once in a while, in the night, as it migrates. 
While flying, it utters a peculiar guttural note. 

8 SORA. 

Porsana Carolina. 

This species passes in autumn and spring and is rare even then. I have 
seen only one specimen. That was observed a number of years ago in a large 
corn field on the waters of Big Bush run. 

9 AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 

Philohela minor. 

The Woodcock, or "snipe," is abundant in marshy places and along water 
courses. Its long bill and the peculiar position of its eyes give it a strange 
appearance. It is sometimes used for food. 

10 SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 

Actitis macularia. 

Clear, cool streams are the special resort of this beautiful little bird. As 
its name implies, it has a spotted breast and this, with its continuous "teetering" 
motion, will generally serve for identification. 



366 THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

II — KILLDEER. 

AEgialitis vocifera. 

In the meadows and upland pastures, near Buckhannon, this species is found 
more abundantly than in the higher portions of the county. Its song, which is 
heard frequently at night, can be easily recognized. 



Colinus zirginianus. 

The abundance of this species varies greatly according to the mildness or 
severity of the winter. During this season — 1897 — it seems more common than 
for years before. This bird remains throughout the year and is of great 
importance to farmers because it is most excellent as a game bird and, on the 
other hand, it feeds, to some extent, on the smaller grains, and is sometimes 
injurious. In this county it has never become sufficiently common to be 
destructive to grain, and the law protecting it should be most rigidly enforced. 

13 — RUFFED GROUSE. 

Bonasa umhellus. 

This species is generally called "Pheasant." In Pennsylvania and the 
northern states it is called "Partridge." It is a true grouse, and might as well 
be called by its name in order to avoid confusion. This game bird is too well 
known to need any description. 

14 WILD TURKEY. 

Meleagris gallopavo. 

A few Wild Turkeys may still be found in the southern, or upper, end of 
our county along the Randolph and Webster lines. A flock of three or four 
was seen on Little Bush run, a tributary of French creek, in the winter of 1892-3. 
The common domestic turkey is decended from a Mexican specie and not from 
the species found in this section. 

15 — ^PASSENGER PIGEON. 

Bctopistes migratoria. 

This wonderful bird, so common in past years, is rapidly approaching 
extinction. During seasons when acorns, chestnuts, and beechnuts are very 
abundant, small flocks may be seen. The writer observed a small flock about 
five years ago on the head waters of French creek. A flock of about thirty was 
seen in March, 1897, by Mr. Cecil L. Coburn near French creek. Indiscriminate 
slaughter has been a most effective cause in limiting the number of these game 
birds. By the ignorance and wantonness of man, many valuable species of birds 



THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 367 

and mammals have been entirely destroyed and are known to us only by their 
bones. The pigeon will soon share this fate. All laws which protect animals 
in any way whatsoever should be enforced, and we should use some judgment, 
at least, in our "dominion over the creatures." 

l6 MOURNING DOVE. 

Zenaidura ntacroura. 

A bird that is found over nearly all the world, as few of our species are. 
Very common. Often called "Turtle Dove." 

17 — TURKEY VULTURE. 

Cathartes aura. 

A most beneficial scavenger which is commonly called "Turkey Buzzard." 
Remains here throughout the year, and is always present when its services are 
needed. 

18 MARSH HAWK. 

Circus Hudson icus. 

The Marsh Hawk is one of our rarer species and is seldom noticed away 
from large streams. It may be easily recognized by its conspicious white upper 
tail coverts. 

19 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. 

Accipiter velox. 

It is difficult to write of the hawks, with any degree of fairness, because of 
the universal prejudice which exists against them. The fact that some of our 
hawks are very beneficial is not believed by the average farmer, and he never 
hesitates in killing them. Some hawks are pests, others are not so. From a long 
series of investigations based upon the actural examination of many hundreds 
of stomachs from hawks of all kinds, the Division of Ornithology — now Biological 
Survey — at Washington, has determined the status of all our species of hawks, 
eagles, and owls. The result is surprising. Nearly all the hawks are beneficial, 
some are not positively beneficial, and only three are really injurious. The 
Sharp-shinned Hawk and the two following species are the harmful ones. 
While these destroy many animals that are injurious to the farmer, the chickens 
and birds of many kinds which they destroy throw the balance against them. 
This species is one of our smallest hawks and is quite common. 

20 — cooper's hawk. 

Accipiter coopcri. 

Resident throughout the year; tolerably common. Larger than the last- 
named species. This hawk is probably the worst enemy to our poultry. 



368 THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

21 AMERICAN GOSHAWK. 

Accipiter atricapillus. 
The Goshawk is a large northern bird which visits us only in winter. 

22 — RED-TAILED HAWK. 

Buteo borealis. 

The Red-tailed Hawk is very large and may be known by its brownish-red 
tail. The female is not so marked. The food of this species consists of small 
quadrupeds — squirrels, mice, etc., and occasionally, chickens and turkeys. 

23 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. 

Buteo lineatus. 
Another large hawk but not so common as the last species. 

24 BROAD- WINGED HAWK. 

Buteo latissimus. 

This buzzard is smaller than the last-named species. It remains here 
throughout the year. 

25 GOLDEN EAGLE. 

Aquila chrysactos. 

. Several specimens of the Golden Eagle have been seen in Upshur county. 
It is always rare. While young this bird is sometimes called the "Gray Eagle." 
The legs are covered with feathers as are the toes to the very tips. This 
■character will always serve to distinguish the Golden from the Bald Eagle. 

26 BALD EAGLE. 

Haliacctns Iciicoccplialns. 

The Bald Eagle is so called because of the white feathers which cover the 
head and neck of the adult bird. The writer has seen a number of these birds 
near French Creek as they were wandering over the country in search of food, 
or during their local migrations. This species is the emblem of our country. 
It probably breeds in the mountainous districts of our state. I have been informed 
that Mr. A. D. Page took a fine bird of this species near his home on Mulberry 
Ridge a year or two ago. 



THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 369 

27 AMERICAN SPARROW HAWK. 

Falco sparverius. 

This is the smallest of all our hawks, and is frequently found breeding in 
old trees. It is a very beautiful bird, both in color and form. The food of the 
Sparrow Hawk consists, for the most part, of mice, grasshoppers, crickets, 
beetles, and small birds. 

28 BARRED OWL. 

Syrnium nebulosum. 

I saw one specimen, a number of years ago, that was killed in midwinter. 
It is probably common, but as all of our owls are nocturnal in habit, they are 
not often seen. This is a beneficial species as its food consists mainly of mice. 

29 SCREECH OWL. 

Megascops asio. 

A small, familiar owl that frequents our orchards and woodlands. Screech 
Owls — both red and gray phase — are common everywhere. They are too small 
to attack poultry. 

30 GREAT HORNED OWL. 

Bubo z'irginiaiius. 

Our largest owl. It remains throughout the year, and is sometimes 
destructive to poultry. Inclined to remain in heavy woodland. 

31 SNOWY OWL. 

Nyctea nyctea. 

A number of years ago a Snowy Owl was seen by Mr. A. E. Heck on the 
waters of Little Bush run. This owl may be expected in severe winters only, 
since it is a northern bird and comes this far south only in very cold weather. 
It is nearly white, marked on the head, neck, back, and wings with brownish- 
black. 

32 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 

Coccyzns amcricamis. 

There are two species of cuckoos in this part of the United States, and both 
occur in this county. They are often called "Rain Crows." The two species 
are scarcely to be distinguished by a casual observer. In both species the upper 
part of the bill is black, but in the yellow-billed species, the under part of the 
beak is yellow, while in the other it is black. Both are very beneficial birds, 
as they feed largely on caterpillars which are injurious to fruit trees. 



370 THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

33 BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. 

Coccyzus erythrophtHalmus. 

A common bird in orchards and in the woods. It comes during the first week 
of May and remains till the last of September or the first of October. 

35 HAIRY WOODPECKER. 

Ceryle alcyon. 

The Kingfisher is common along all our streams in spring, summer, and 
autumn. It has a large crest and is blue, black, and white in color. 

35 HAIRY KINGFISHER. 

Dryobates villosus. 

The Hairy is a common black and white woodpecker which remains here 
throughout the year. 

36 ^DOWNY WOODPECKER. 

Dryobates pubescens. 

The Downy is our smallest woodpecker, and closely resembles the last-named 
species. It is much smaller, however. Both species are frequently seen on 
apple trees, but the Hairy is more inclined to remain in the forest areas. They 
are believed to be very beneficial. Often called "Sapsucker." 

37 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. 

Sphyrapicus varius. 

A northern bird which passes the winter here. Only a few remain during 
the coldest weather ; most of them pass farther south and are, consequently, 
most common during the migration seasons. This is the bird which makes most 
of the small holes in fruit and forest trees. It may be distinguished by the red 
throat of the male as well as by its yellowish under parts. 

38 — PILEATED WOODPECKER. 

Ceophloeus pileatus. 

The Logcock, or Pileated Woodpecker, is the great red-headed bird that is 
occasionally seen and heard in the woods. At certain times it is quite common, 
but at other times, as when it is breeding, it is elusive and seems to be rare. 
The species is oftenest seen in winter. It breeds in this county. 



THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 371 

39 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 

Mclancrpcs crythroccphalus. 

Unlike the other woodpeckers, this species has a habit like that of the fly- 
catchers, and may often be seen flying from its perch, in a tree-top, and 
snapping up some insect while on the wing. It is also very fond of ripe fruit 
of various kinds, and will open the husks and eat the milky grains of corn. It 
has frequently been observed though, by the writer, that this supposed damage 
to corn is not real, because the grains of corn near those that have been eaten 
make an abnormal growth and entirely fill the space that was made vacant by 
the birds. This gorgeous red, white, and black bird remains throughout the 
year — rare in winter — and may be called one of our beneficial birds, although 
its true status is scarcely known yet. 

40 RED-BELUED WOODPECKER. 

Conurus caroHnensis. 

The back of these birds is speckled like a guinea. The under parts are tinged 
with pinkish. This species is exceedingly beautiful, but is not very common, and 
is of no special economic importance. 



Colaptes auratus. 

Our common Flicker, or Yellow Hammer, is too well known to need 
description. It is a beneficial bird. I have seen it eat as many as sixty white ants 
— Termites — without moving from the st-ump out of which these insects were 
emerging. 

42 — WHIP-POOR-WILL. 

Antrostomus vociferus. 

The Whip-poor-will reaches this section about the 15th of April, and remains 
here till the first weeks of October. This species is wholly insectivorous and is 
very common. 

43 — NIGHTHAWK. 

Chordeiles mrginianus. 

In August and September, great flocks of long-winged birds are seen, along 
in the evening, swooping through the air. They are gray and have large white 
spots on their wings. These are Nighthawks which are gathering together 
preparatory to making their autumn migration. They reach this latitude early 
in May and remain till the first of September. The belief is prevalent that these 
birds are Whip-poor-wills, but it is a mistake which has grown from their 
resemblance in form and habits. Whip-poor-wills and Nighthawks are frequently 
called "Goatsuckers." 



372 THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

44 — CHIMNEY SWIFT. 

Chactuni pelagica. 

The Chimney Swift, or Chimney Swallow, as it is frequently called, is a 
small, slender-winged, short-tailed bird that nests in chimneys and old trees. 
These birds reach West Virginia about the 25th of April and remain till rather 
late in the fall. A beneficial species. 

45 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. 

Trochihts colnbris. 

Every one knows the Humming bird which reaches us about the 21st of 
April, and remains till near the middle of the autumn months. Its range extends 
from southern Alaska to the Argentine Republic. 

46 KINGBIRD. 

Tyranmis tyranmts. 

The "Bee bird," or "Bee Martin," as the Kingbird is sometimes called, is 
one of the commonest birds in our orchards and along our streams. It is said 
to feed on honey bees, but these form, by no means, the bulk of its food. They 
perform a valuable service in chasing thieving hawks away from the farms. 

47 — CRESTED FLYC.\TCHEK. 

Myiarchus crinitus. 

A woodland species which may, sometimes, be seen about our houses. Its 
colors are rich brown and ash, and it has a loud, shrill note that can be heard a 
long distance away. It may always be expected on the 26th or 27th day of April, 
and it is seldom heard oT seen after the first week of September. 

48 — PHOEBE. 

Sayornis phoebe. 

The "Pewee," or Phoebe, is a familiar bird, and generally arrives from the 
south about the 20th of March. Like all the flycatchers its food is of insects. 

49 — WOOD PEWEE. 

Contopns 7'ireiis. 

Near the first of May the soft, whistling note of the Wood Pewee is first 
heard. This bird closely resembles the Phoebe, but is smaller. 



THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 373 

50 — LEAST FLYCATCHER. 

Empidonax minimus. 
A small species that is occasionally seen. 

51 — HORNED LARK 

Otocoris alpestris. 

Small flocks of this northen species have been observed a few times in 
winter. 

52 — BLUE JAY. 

Cyanocitta cristata. 

The Blue Jay is not so common, it seems to me, as in former years. It 
probably nests in parts of our county. 

53 — AMERICAN RAVEN. 

Corvus corax siiiuatns. 

Very rarely a Raven is seen flying over. They breed in the higher mountain 
areas of this state. 

54 AMERICAN CROW. 

Corvus americanus. 

Another unfortunate and much-abused bird. For ages all crows and ravens 
have been looked upon as birds of ill-omen, and this, with their habits of destroy- 
ing eggs and pulling corn, has made our common crow exceedingly disre()utable. 
On the whole, it is difficult to say whether crows do more good or harm. It 
is well, however, as has been shown by many blunders, that we examine carefully 
the habits of any bird before we tamper with the forms of life which surrounds us. 
The balance of life is almost perfect now, and, while the destruction of a few 
crows .might save several hills of corn, it will also preserve the life of many a 
mouse and "white grub" which are worse enemies to our grain crops than are 
the crows themselves. We owe too much to the lower forms of life about us 
to destroy them ruthlessly. Any careful reader will have noticed the many 
mistakes which men have made, in recent years, in dealing with various mammals, 
insects, and birds, and the woeful results that have followed. This is not intended 
as an argument for the crow alone, but rather that all forms of life may be 
respected and that we may carefully investigate before we make indiscriminate 
slaughter. All the harm done by crows in the cornfields can be easily and 
cheaply avoided by stretching white strings at various places over the field. 



374 THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

55 — BOBOLINK. 

Dolichonyx oryzivorus. 

About ten 3ears ago last spring, I saw five Bobolinks on the grounds of the 
Conference Seminary at Buckhannon. These are the only ones that I have ever 
observed in the state. However, they are said to be quite common in some of 
the counties during the migration periods. 

56 COWBIRD. 

Malothrus ater. 

Parasites exist in the bird world as well as elsewhere. The Cowbird depends 
entirely upon the labor of others to rear its young. The eggs are deposited in 
the nests of many of our smaller birds which care for them and the young as 
assiduously as for their own offspring. This species remains here during warm 
weather only. I have seen a few in the winter months. 

57 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 

Agelaius phoniceus. 

.•\round swamps, along streams, and in low-land meadows there is no more 
common bird than the Redwing. This blackbird is easily recognized by the bright 
red spots on its shoulders. When the warm days of February and early March 
come, the redwings bring their bits of bright color and cheer, and help to dis- 
perse the gloom of the long winter months. 

58 MEADOWLARK. 

Sturnella magna. 

Very common in the bottom meadows near Buckhannon and in all the 
northern half of the county. I observed them in special abundance on Turkey 
run and Hacker's creek during the summer of 1897. A common bird almost 
everywhere. 

59 ORCHARD ORIOLE. 

Icterus spurius. 

A modest and retiring, yet voluble, bird that breeds in our orchards and along 
streams. The male is deep chestnut in color, the female is greenish. Young 
males are not colored as the old ones. 

60 BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 

Icterus galbula. 

The cradle-like nest of this orange and black bird is often seen after the 
lea^'es have fallen from our orchard trees and from the sycamores and elms 



THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 375 

along the streams. In some localities, this oriole has become quite rare, but 
it is still common here. It has been charged with eating green peas, but I have 
never observed this feeding habit. On the 27th day of April one can expect to 
see the first Baltimore Oriole. 

61 RUSTY BLACKBIRD. 

Scolecophagus carolinus. 

Only during the spring and fall migrations is this northern grackle seen. 
This species is gregarions like the other blackbirds. 

62 BRONZED CRACKLE. 

Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. 

The large bird commonly known as the Crow Blackbird is common at any 
season of the year except the cold winter months when it goes southward. It 
is exceedingly common in this region in spring and autumn. 

63 — ENGLISH SPARROW. 

Passer domesticus. 

This foreigner is common in all the towns and villages of this county and, 
in recent years, it has gone to the country and is abundant around farm houses. 
It is always a pest — unmusical and quarrelsome. This European sparrow was 
first brought to this country in the fall of 1850, at which time several pairs were 
liberated in Brooklyn, N. Y. Since then these birds have increased at such an 
alanning rate that many states have found it necessary to enact laws which might 
tend to exterminate them. 

64 — PURPLE FINCH. 

Carpodacus ptirpureus. 
Small flocks of Purple Finches are often seen in the winter and spring. 

65 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 

Spinus tristis. 

Common names for this species are "Flax Bird," "Beet Bird," and "Wild 
Canary." The Goldfinch remains throughout the year, breeding late in the 
season. The male is lemon yellow with black wings, the female dull greenish 
with black wings. Commonly seen eating thistle seeds or passing through the 
air in undulating flight. 



376 THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

66 PINE SISKIN. 

Spinus pinus. 

A little brownish striped bird sometimes noticed in winter and spring. Its 
notes and movements are like those of the Goldfinch. 

67 — SNOWFLAKE. 

Plectrophenax nivalis. 

One specimen of the Snowflake, or Snow Bunting, was observed about ten 
years ago, in December, on the road leading from French Creek to Rock Cave. 
This is a rare bird in this locality, and is never seen except in ver}' cold weather. 

68 — GRASS FINCH. 

Poocaetes gramineus. 

This sparrow has a number of names — Vesper Sparrow and Bay-winged 
Bunting being the commoner ones. It can be distinguished from most of our 
common, dull-colored sparrows by the white feathers which may be seen in its 
tail as it flies. Arrives from the south about the 20th of March and remains 
till late in the fall. 

69 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. 

Zonotrichia leucophrys. 

A large, handsome sparrow — well described by its name — which appears for 
a short time in April and again in October. Comrtion at times. 

70— WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. 

Zonotrichia albicoUis. 

Along old fences, in piles of brush, or among blackberry briars, this bird 
appears in considerable abundance during the migration seasons. Mr. Wm. 
D. Doan, ornithologist of the West \^irginia Experiment Station, about ten years 
ago, reported this species and the preceding one as winter residents in this 
state. I have not observed either one during the winter months. 

71 — TREE SPARROW. 

Spisella monticola. 
Common in winter ; closely resembles the next species except it is larger. 



THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 377 

72 — CHIPPING SPARROW. 

Spizella socicnUs. 

The common little sparrow that builds so plentifully in our orchard trees. 
Very common. Appears here about the last of March and stays till the latter 
part of October. 

73 FIELD SPARROW. 

Spizella pusilla. 

This bird very closely resembles the Chipping Sparrow. It may be dis- 
tinguished from it, however, by its pink bill and feet. It is inclined to live in old 
fields rather than orchards. 

74 — SLATB-COLORED JUNCO. 

Junco hyemalis. 

Abundant in winter time — commonly known as Snowbird. The Junco 
comes from its northern breeding grounds about the middle of October and 
remains with us until the first of May. It is possible that it may breed in the 
higher portions of this county, as it does elsewhere in this state, but I have no 
proof of this. 

75 — SONG SPARROW. 

Mclospisa fasciata. 

The first song of the season is generally from this famous singer. It 
frequently sings on warm winter days and, when spring begins to come, it 
may be heard almost everywhere. Resident throughout the year. Easily dis- 
tinguished from other common sparrows by its black "breast-pin." 

76 SWAMP SPARROW. 

Melospisa georgiana. 

Rare ; the writer has seen only one during fifteen years of observation. It 
is elusive, however, and may be commoner than it appears to be. 

yy — Fox SPARROW. 

Passerella Uiaca. 

This large thrush-like sparrow is frequently seen in brushy places during 
the spring and fall. Scarcely ever does it become common. It has a song 
totally unlike that of most of our sparrows. 



378 THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

78 TOWHEE. 

Pipilo erythrophthalmus. 

Every kind of fami land has its own peculiar birds. There are birds which 
frequent the pasture, the meadow, the swamp, the high upland field, the edge of 
the woods, the old grown-up fields alias blackberry patches, the orchard, and 
the garden. Each place has its own peculiar species. The Towhee, or Chewink, 
is always found in bushy places — in old, neglected fields and fencerows. The 
neat and prosperous farmer has dearth of Towhee music. Sometimes remains 
throughout the year; common in summer, rare in winter. Many persons call 
this bird the Ground Robin. 

79 CARDINAL. 

Cardinalis cardinalis. 

The "Redbird," or Cardinal, is common at all seasons of the year. It does 
not migrate, and is exceedingly local in habits. Well known on account of its 
bright red color. 

80 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. 

Habia ludoviciana. 

A bird of wondrous beauty. White, black, and clear rose are its conspicu- 
ous colors. It is not often seen by a careless observer, but can scarcely be mis- 
taken for any other species by one who is on the lookout for it. Probably breeds 
in the southern end of the county. I have once or twice observed young birds 
in the fall. These brilliant birds are enemies to the Potato Beetle. 

81 INDIGO BUNTING. 

Passerina cyanea. 

A bird that is everywhere common in field and forest. The male is deep 
blue with black wings; the female is brown. Very common after May i. One 
often sees its nest of white eggs, and hears its light, joyous song around the edge 
of woodland. 

82 — DICKCISSEL. 

Spisa amencana. 

Not often noticed in that section of the county in which the writer is 
accustomed to study birds. 

83 — SCARLET TANAGER. 

Piranga rubra. 

Common throughout the county wherever forests are found. A bird of 
very brilliant plumage. The male is fiery red with black wings; the female is 
greenish. It arrives in this county near the 25th of April and remains till the 
middle of October. 



THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 379 

84 PURPLE MARTIN. 

Progne subis. 

Martin boxes are often seen about the farm houses and around our towns. 
The inhabitants of these aerial houses are well known. These birds often 
appear during the last days of March. Few birds are held in higher esteem. 
The writer observed, some months ago, eleven martin boxes near one farm house 
on Turkey run. The Indians used to hang up gourds for the accommodation of 
these semi-domestic birds. 

85 — CLIFF SWALLOW. 

Petrochelidon lunifrons. 

I have scarcely ever observed this bird in Upshur county except during 
the migration seasons, when it is occasionally seen. A beautiful swallow. 

86 BARN SWALLOW. 

Chelidon erythrogaster. 

Wherever barns are found in this county, this swallow is found. However, 
it is more inclined to nest in barns and other buildings that are erected along the 
larger streams. Common along all the country roads that lead into Buckhannon. 
The young birds, especially, seem to delight to sit on the telegraph and telephone 
wires. First appearance, April 15 to 20. 

( 87 — CEDAR WAXWING. 

AmpcUs cedrorum. 

A beautifully colored, but unmusical, bird. Often seen in very large 
flocks in the fall. Breeds, commonly, in our orchards and along streams. 

88 RED-EYED VIREO. 

J^ireo olivaceus. 

A woodland bird. All the Vireos are plain, sober birds which are not often 
seen by any one excepting the ornithologist. This species sings from morning 
till night, and scarcely stops even in those warm, mild, midsummer weeks when 
all nature is unnaturally still. 

89 WARBLING VIREO. 

* Vireo gilvus. 

Unlike the other Vi'^eos, this species haunts orchards or the open woods 
along streams. It is often heard in towns, and its habits are in peculiar contrast 
to the other members of the Viriondae. A sweet singer. 



380 THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

90 YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 

I'ireo fiaznfrons. 

As the name indicates, this V'ireo is known by its clear yellow breast. It 
is larger than our other species. 

91 BLUE-HEADED VIREO. 

P'ireo soiitarius. 

For a number of years, both in this county and elsewhere, on the very 
same day that the Golden-crested Kinglet reaches us from the north, this 
handsome Vireo arrives. Why they should be so constant in their companion- 
ship, I can not tell. They appear during the first week of October, generally 
when the first genuine autumn days come. 

92 BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER. 

Mniotilta varia. 

The family of Warblers — SylvicoHdae — is a very large one and few of the 
species are generally known. Nearly all of them are small forest birds, with 
every imaginable combination of colors, and as delicate, almost, as humming- 
birds. Some of our species are very rare, and the whole family has a charm 
and beauty that is scarcely seen in other birds. Our woods are full of these 
birds — some of them half-tropical species, colored as exquisitely as a rainbow, 
and as delicately as their constant companions, the wild flowers. Although the 
writer has made a special study of this family, he scarcely thinks it necessary to do 
more than give the names of the species which he has observed in this county. 
Only a few of these birds, so far as they are known at present, are of particular 
economic importance. From the 20th of April to the 15th of May, and again 
in the last weeks of September and the first half of October, many thousands 
of these birds pass us as they are migrating to and from their northern breeding 
grounds. 

The Black-and-White Warbler is a common species with many of the habits 
of the Nuthatches. 

93 — WORM-EATING WARBLER. — Hehiiitlicnis vermivorus. 

94 — BLUE-WINGED WARBLER. — HdiiiiiitlwpkHa piniis. 

95 — GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. — Hclinintlwpliila chrysoptera. 

96 — NASHVILLE WARBLER. — HeliuiiithophUa ruficapilla. 

97 — TENNBSSEE WARBLER. — Hcliiimthopliifa peregrina. 

98 — PARULA WARBLER. — Panda iviicricmia. 

99 — CAPE MAY w.\RnLER. — Dciidroica tigrina. 

100 YELLOW WARBLER. • 

Dendroica aestiva. 

None of the Warblers are so common in orchards as this little yellow 
bird. Its song is unusually cheerful. This bird is often carelessly confused 



THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 381 

with the Goldfinch by persons who are not sufficienty observing to note the 
great difference between a sparrow and a warbler. The Goldfinch has black 
wings ; this species has no black markings. 

lOi — BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. — Dciiroica cacritlcscens. 
I02 — MYRTLE WARBLER. — Dcndroica coronata. 

103 — MAGNOLI.\ WARBLER. 

Dendroica maculosa. 

One of the most beautiful of the feathered kind that ever lend us their 
presence. The beauty of a full plumaged male is almost startling when one 
suddenly flies into view. Only seen in fall and spring. 

104 — CERULEAN WARBLER. — Dciidrolca cacrulea. 

105 — CHESTNUTSiDED WARBLER'.) — Dcndroica pennsylvanicus. 

106 — BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. — Dendroica castanea. 

107 BLACK-POLL WARBLER. 

Dcndroica striata. 

Common — even abundant in the fall, but I have never seen one during the 
spring migration. 

108 — BLACKBURNiAN WARBLER. — Dcndroica blackburnhe. 

109 BLACK-THRO.\TED GREEN WARBLER. DcildroicO virCnS. 

no — PALM WARShtR.— Dendroica palmarum. 

1 1 1 — ovENBiRD. — Seiurus motacilla. 

112 — LOUISIANA WATER THRUSH. — Sciiinis motacUla. 

113 — KENTUCKY WARBLER. — Gcothlypis foniiosa. 

114 MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. Gcotlllypis trichaS. 

115 YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. 

Icteria virens. 

A very large warbler that nests in old grown-up fields. It has a very 
peculiar song. These birds are greenish with yellow breasts. 

116 — HOODED WARBLER. — Sylvauia mitrata. 
117 — Wilson's warbler. — Sylvania pusilta. 
118 — CANADA warbler. — Sylvaiiia canadensis. 
119 — AMERICAN REDSTART. — Sctophaga ruticUla. 

120 CATBIRD. 

Galeoscoftcs carolinensis. 
The Catbird is as well known, perhaps, as any of our common birds. For 



382 THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 

some reason — doubtless from its inclination to steal fruit once in a while — it is 
rather unpopular. Yet it is a fine songster, and feeds almost entirely upon 

insects. 

121 — BROWX THRASHER. 

Harporhynchus rufus. 

Many persons call this bird Mockingbird. It is verj- much like the true 
southern Mockingbird in song and in form, but diflters wtry much in color. 
This Thrasher builds its nest on fences or in brush heaps. I generally hear the 
first song from this bird near the middle of April, but, sometimes, not till the 
twentieth. 

122 C\ROLIXA WREX. 

Thryothorus hidovicianus. 
A verj- large russet-brown wren that remains here the whole year. 

123 — HOUSE WREX. 

Troglodytes aedon. 

Like the Purple Martin and the English Sparrow, the House Wren may be 
considered as semi-domestic. If one does not know the House Wren, let him 
put up an old shoe or a small box under the eaves of some outbuilding, and these 
birds will soon appear, introducing themselves with cheen.- song and affable 
mien. 

124 — WIXTER WREX. 

Troglodytes hietnalis. 

In the last weeks of October — month of nuts and yellow leaves — the Winter 
Wren may be found in the woods among fallen timber, whither it has come from 
its summer home in the north. It remains here all winter, and. occasionally, 
on a bright winter day, I hear its liquid song. I always think how appropriate 
are its siU"roundings when it sings near some clear, cold stream. 

125 — BROWX CREEPER. 

Certhia familiaris americana. 

This little creeper is one of our smallest birds. It may be seen, once in a 
while, in the woods as it is clinging close to the bark of some tree. 

126 — WHITE-BREASTED xrTH.\TCH. 

Sitta carolinensis. 

"Sapsucker" is the common name for this bird. Its impudent ways and 
frequent appearance tend to make this species well known. 



■ THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 383 

127 — RED-BREASTED XUTHATCH. 

Sitta canadensis. 

Much like the foregoing, but smaller and rarer. A dull pinkish color 
covers is breast. When once one becomes familiar with its nasal note it is not 
easily forgotten. This bird is seen only in spring and autumn. 

128 — TUFTED TITMOUSE. 

Panis bicolor. 

.\mong all our birds there is not one whose acquaintance it is easier to 
make. It seems almost omnipresent, since it is seen in orchard, garden, and 
dense forest alike. This titmouse is almost entirely slate-color. It remains 
throughout the year, and nests in holes in trees. 

129 CAROLIXA CHICKADEE. 

Parus caroUnensis. 

Our common chickadee. This species is not quite so common as the last, 
and is much smaller. It can always be distinguished by its black cap. Remains 
here all the year. 

130 — GOLDEX-CROWXED KIXGLET. 

Regulus satrapa. 

A tiny bird that spends the winter with us. I often see it in all the 
months from October to April. It is a gray bird with a flaming orange erectile 
crest. 

131 RUEY-CROWXED KIXGLET. 

Regtdus calendula. 

Much like the last species except that it is slightly larger and has a ruby 
crest which is ordinarily concealed. It passes on farther south to spend the 
winter, but is quite common while migration seasons last. 

132 — BLUE-GRAY GXATCATCHER. 

Polioptila caerulea. 

If one can imagine an exceedingly dimutive mockingbird, he will have a fair 
picture of this bird. Its song also seems like a whisper song of the renowned 
polyglot. This little bird which comes to us about the middle of April may be 
seen almost any day feeding among the apple trees. 



384 THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR ' COUNTY. 

133 — WOOD THRUSH. 

Turdus mustelinus. 

It seems to me that this is our best songster. Its voice can be heard, 
about sunset, far oflF in the woods. It is wonderfully plaintive and sweet. Some 
suggest that its instrument is made of gold. It has in its song the very spirit 
of the lonely woods, and it sings a good-night song to all the wild creatures. 
I always expect to hear the first Wood Thrush song on April 27, and it is very 
seldom that I am disappointed. 

134 — Wilson's thrush. 

Turdus fuscescens. 

Rather rare ; does not breed here. 

135 OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. 

Turdus ustulatus swainsonii. 

A very abundant bird during migration. It is smaller than the Wood Thrush 
and is not so musical. 

136 HERMIT THRUSH. 

Turdus aonalaschke pallasii. 

Aududon, the great ornithologist, thought this bird to be almost songless, 
but, in the mighty forest symphony, no sweeter voice is heard than that of the 
Hermit Thrush — the "Swamp Angel." The Wood Thrush has richer brown 
on the head and duller on the tail, but in the Hermit, the coloration is reversed. 

137 .AMERICAN ROBIN. 

Meriila migratoria. 

No one cares to read a description of the Robin. It has been known to all 
of us since childhood. Yet, as each winter passes and the new spring comes, 
from year to year, the Robin's song is no less sweet. Only a few remain in our 
latitude during the entire year. Those that do stay in winter are probably the 
ones which have been reared far to the north of us, while those that have made 
their nests in our apple trees pass farther south. The number of robins generally 
begins to increase about the 25th of February, and from that time till December, 
they are quite common. 

138 BLUEBIRD. 

Sialia sialis. 

In some sections of our state, the Bluebird is becoming quite rare, but it is 
still very common in Upshur. John Burroughs, the great essayist and omithol- 



THE BIRDS OF UPSHUR COUNTY. 385 

ogist, finds in the blue of the Bluebird's back a suggestion of the sky and, in 
the rich color of the breast, the hue of the earth. The seasonal abundance of 
this species varies somewhat as that of the Robin. Like all our thrushes, the 
Bluebird is possessed of a sweet song, and it is of great importance to the farmer 
because of its insectivorous habits. 

ADDITIONAL LIST. 

This list contains several species that have been reported from this county. 
Some species are admitted from doubtful observations made by the writer, and 
others are admitted on the authority of Bulletin No. 3 of the West Virginia 
Agricultural Experiment Station. It is doubtless true that nearly all of these 
species are found in this county, yet the writer prefers to place them in an 
additional, hypothetical list. 

I — holbge:i.l's grebe. — Colymbus holboellii. 

2 — HERRING-GULL. — Larns argentatus smithsoniamis. 

3 — GADWALL. — Anas strepera. 

4 — GREEN-WINGED TEAL. — Anas carolinensis. 

5 — WOOD DUCK. — Aix sponsa. 

6 — LEAST BITTERN. — Botaurus exilis. 

7 — AMERICAN EGRET. — Ardca egretta. 

8 — SAND-HILL CRANE. — Grus mexicona. 

9 — COOT. — Fulica americana. 

10 — NORTHERN PHALAROPE. — Pltaloropus lobatus. 

II — Wilson's snipe. — Gallinago delitata. 

12 — BARTRAMiAN SANDPIPER. — Bartramta longicauda. 

13 YELLOW-HEADED RLACK BIRD. — XailthocephaluS. 

14 — BLUE GROSBEAK. — Guiraca caerulea. 
15 — SUMMER TANAGER. — Piranga rubra. 
16 — ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. — Stelgidopteryx serripennis. 



PREFACE 

The collection of data for my own family history was the inspiring motive 
which produced ultimately the History of Upshur County as contained in the 
preceding and following pages. At the close of the year's teaching in the 
Preparatory Department of the West V^irginia University, I was the possessor 
of a scholarship in Economics and History at Columbia University, New York 
City and after hesitation and thought I finally concluded to resign my position 
and accept the same, although I had no experience whatever in making original 
researches and collecting original data for a thesis such as a Doctor of Philosophy's 
course would demand. 

Therefore, my summer vacation was given over to mental flounderings as to 
what topic would be the subject of this paper should I be so fortunate as to com- 
plete a course. It matters not now what subject I chose, suffice it to say that 
in my cross country rides and mental perambulations I gathered from the oldest 
native citizens of my own and adjoining counties much information concerning 
the early settlers of Upshur County including, of course, that of my own family. 

Two successive summers following found me earnestly engaged tappping 
these rich veins of native folklore about early families, their manners of living, 
their ways of trade, their forms of worship, their mode of dress, etc. 

To the data collected then I am most profoundly indebted for this book. 
The chief contributers to my store of knowledge were Hon. W. C. Carper, Ben- 
jamin and Ashley Gould, Albert and Isabella Cutright, Isaac Morgan, Chester 
W. Morgan, Amaryllis Young, Sophronia Phillips, Jacob W. Crites and my par- 
ents. After undertaking this work, I was helped and assisted in collecting data 
for the family history greatly by Luther J. Burr, David Poe, Homer H. Westfall, 
William F. Fidler and wife, and Mrs. J. W. Heavner. In addition to these 
valuable service was rendered by persons who saw the importance of the work 
and were willing to assist. To all these the author feels under lasting 
obligations. 

Every effort has been made to eliminate mistakes and correct errors, and it 
is hoped that the public will not be able to find many of either in this part of 
the book. The older families have been given considerable more space and atten- 
tion than those who came later, because in the process of condensation which was 
necessary to be applied to all notes and incidents, more facts remained concerning 
them than the later families. 

My earnest hope for this part of the book is, that it may accomplish the one 
purpose, that is, that each family living within the bounds of Upshur county will 
have pride enough and therefore determination to have for itself its own family 
history so that after generations may know what past generations have been, 
where they have gone, what they have achieved and in what they have failed. 



Part Third 

Family History 




JOHN L. SMITH. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



FAMILY HISTORY 

DAVID ADAMS was a confederate soldier and member of Co. A, under 
Captain Davis. He was captured near Richmond during the war and imprisoned 
at Fort Deleware. Is now a farmer of Washington district. His first wife was 
Bernie Lawson and to this union the following named children were bom : Mary 
Melvina, John William, Charles E., Georgia S., John T., Addie L., Henry C, 
and James. His second wife was Sarah Smith and their child was C. J. 

SOLOMAN GEORGE ALEXANDER, Carpenter, son of John and Dehen 
(Alor) Alexander, born May 29th, 1839, in Augusta County, Va. His grand- 
father, Simon Alexander, emigrated directly from Scotland. His parents moved 
to Buckhannon in 1845 ^'^^ lived a few years in a house where the present Court 
House stands. His father was a mechanic and stair builder. And the son natur- 
ally took up the father's calling and has built many houses in Buckhannon among 
which is the Virginia Hotel on Depot street. 

He married Abagail O'Neal of Barbour County, daughter of John and 
Abagail (Anglin) O'Neal, August 28th, 1858. 

For a few years he was restless, moved from Barbour County to Upshur, and 
from Upshur to the state of Ohio and then back to Upshur. 

He was a member of the militia at the outbreak of the war, was a scout and 
guard at Philippi, before the battle at that place, and claims to have fired the first 
gun in defense of his country, from the west end of the covered bridge a few days 
before the battle at Philippi. He identified himself with the Free Masons in 1871, 
joining the Franklin Lodge, No. 7. 

Children living : Allen Thomas, Celia Alia, Anna. 

NATHAN ALLMAN; born December 14, 1829, on Bridge run. Son of 
Abram Allman and Winifred Crites, a daughter of Michael Crites, settler of the 
Buckhannon settlement prior to the Nineteenth Century. Abram Allman was 
a son of William Allman, whose wife was a Miss Wetherholt and their children 
numbered thirteen. The subject of this sketch being the oldest. 

Nathan Allman married Elizabeth Bligh, a daughter of James and Mary 
Bligh, who moved from Rockingham County, Va., to the bounds of Upshur 
County in 1846, settling on Little Pecks run, then in Barbour County. Mary 
Bligh was the daughter of John Burkholder, whose wife's maiden name was 
Rose Blaine, and the granddaughter of Jacob Burkholder, a Pennsylvania German, 
who moved from Pennsylvania to Rockingham County, Va., prior to the year 
1800. 

Children of Mr. Allman: Alexander Simpson, who married Nancy Abbott, 
George C, lives in Washington State, Thomas, married a Miss Rinehart, William 
Jefferson, whose first wife was a Miss Rinehart and whose second wife a Miss 
Gross, John, lives in Washington, Theodore, married a Miss Rinehart, Lorana, 
wife of Mallory Clark, Mattie, wife of Charles Betts. 

The subject of this sketch is a farmer and carpenter, has always lived on Bridge 
run. Belongs to the Methodist Protestant Church and is a Democrat. 

LORENZO DOW ANDERSON, born January 25, 1841, near Walkersville, 
Lewis County, where he has always lived. He was a soldier in the Third West 
Virginia Cavalry, Company I, George A. Sexton, Captain- Soon after the war he 
married Rebecca Wilson, daughter of Samuel Wilson of Frenchton, Upshur 



388 FAMILY HISTORY 

County, and in this union were born five children, Luther Colfax, graduate of the 
Ohio Wesleyan and the West Virginia University, now a lawyer of Welch, W. 
Va., Alonzo Dow, student of the West Virginia Conference Seminary, at the time 
of his death in 1894, Charles Frederick, graduate of the West Virginia Conference 
Seminary, Ohio Wesleyan and Boston Theological Seminary, now pastor of the 
M. E. Church at Beckley, W. Va., Lucetta and Lillian, two daughters are at 
home with their father on the old farm near Walkerville, W. Va. 

All the family are members of the M. E. Church. 

JOSEPH E. 'ANDERSON, son of William E. Anderson, the grandson of 
James Anderson and the great grandson of Joseph Anderson, who emigrated from 
Ireland to Rockingham County, Va., in 1790, his children were, Samuel, William, 
James, John and Andrew. 

James Anderson was born January 14, 1800, married Sarah Siron in 1825, 
and their children were, John S. Anderson, Martha Jane Anderson, Margaret 
Anderson, Josiah, Roxanna. James Morgan, William Damron, Matilda, Lorenzo 
Dow, Samuel Hunter, Jemima and Victoria. 

William Damron Anderson, born March 12, 1837, married Hulda Siron, 
born May 12 1850, and their children were. Flora (Anderson) Hiner, Joseph F., 
J. Howard, Efifa (Anderson) Smith, William E., Annie B., Charles O., and 
Waitman C. 

Joseph E. Anderson was born near Walkerville, Lewis County, March, 1873, 
he lived there until 1898, when he married India B. Queen, daughter of John 
L. Queen, M. D., a former resident of Upshur County. 

After his marriage he moved to Buckhannon, where he still resides. He com- 
pleted a course in the West Virginia Conference Seminary in 1897. Taught 
school thirteen years, six years in Lewis County, and seven years in the Public 
Schools of Buckhannon. 

Children : Herald Queen, born January 23, 1900, George Hamlin, born 
December 24, 1901, Robert Reger, born December 20, 1904. 

The father of the subject of this sketch, William D. Anderson, enlisted 
in the U. S. Army, September, 1861, as a private in Company A, loth W. Va., 
Infantry Volunteers, under Morgan A. Darnall, Captain. His company partici- 
pated in many battles among which were Droop Mountain, Fisher's Hill, Win- 
chester, Cedar Creek, etc. He was mustered out on March 12, 1865, and began 
farming in Lewis County. He has been a local preacher in the M. E. Church and 
class leader of Kedding Chapel for a number of years. 

He now lives on his farm near Walkersville, Lewis County. 

DAVID NEESON ARMSTRONG was born May 20, 1851, at Frenchton, 
Upshur County, W. Va. His father was John Wilson Armstrong, who was cap- 
tured with the Upshur County Militia at Centerville, September 12, 1863, and 
died in Andersonville, Ga., in August, 1864. 

His grandfather was John Armstrong, who immigrated to Upshur County 
from Highland County, Va. His great grandfather was William Armstrong, Jr., 
and his great, great grand father was William Armstrong, Sr., who immigrated 
to the U. S. A. from Wales in an early day. 

John W. Armstrong, the father of David N. Armstrong, was born, February 
2, 1820, in Highland County, Va., and married Sarah Talbot, daughter of Samuel 
T. Talbot, of now Upshur County, W. Va., December 14, 1843, by the Rev. 
Gideon Martin. They had ten children ; Granville B., who was captured with 
the Upshur County Militia and died at Andersonville, Ga., June 10, 1864; Sarah J. 



FAMILY HISTORY 389 

wife of David P. Riffle ; George W., dead ; David N. ; Mary L., wife of L. B. 
Simons ; Garlin T., married Arminta S. Wilson ; Margaret B., wife of W. W. 
Hull; John Q., married Clara Phillips; Lyda S., married Rispah Wilson; Ella G., 
wife of C. C. Page. 

David N. Armstrong married Dora M. Simmons, September lo, 1885, of this 
union one child was born, Reta Cloe. 

Dora M. (Simmons) Armstrong, was the daughter of Emanuel Simmons, 
who was captured with the Upshur County Militia and died in Andersonville, Ga., 
August 10, 1864. 

David N. Armstrong was educated in the common schools of Upshur County, 
and at the French Creek Academy. He taught in the common schools of the 
county for twenty years. 

His mother was left a widow when he was twelve years old, with a family of 
small children and by his industry and frugality he reared the family. 

He now owns the farm on which he was born, upon which is a beautiful 
residence over-looking Frenchton Station, on the placid waters of French Creek. 
He is one of the substantial citizens and farmers of Upshur County. 

ELIZA J. ANDREWS, wife of Enoch Andrews, a native of Upshur County 
and daughter of Samuel B. and Nancy E. (McCoy) Allman. She married 
Enoch Andrews March 4, 1878. Husband was a blacksmith and gun smith of 
Rock Cave for twenty-five years before death, June 3 1895. Children: William 
E., Oran Kemper, Bavard Columbus, Hillarv, Thurmond, Cecil and Maggie. 

ARDEN HUGH ARMSTRONG livesat Rock Cave, is a well-driller by oc- 
cupation, and son of John M. and Elizabeth (Curry) Armstrong. Was born 
August 6, 1876, and was married September 20. 1899, to Delia Belle Kincaid, 
who was born August 18, 1877. His wife is the daughter of Emmitt and Clara 
(Jones) Kincaid and the granddaughter of James Kincaid of Highland County, 
Va. 

The children to this union are : Dennis Robert, Erena Meryl, Ethel May. 

Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are members of the M. E. Church at Centerville, 
W. Va., and are good citizens. 

GARLIN THOMPSON ARMSTRONG, son of John Armstrong of 
Frenchton, was born June 29, 1855, and his wife whose maiden name was Arm- 
inta Wilson was born July 10, 1858. Their marriage occurred August 13, 1876, 
and their children are : Rosa Gertrude, Mertie Edna, John Frederick, Willie 
French, Lucetta Elva, Libby, Maggie Nola, Mollie Joyce. 

Mr. Armstrong is a carpenter and lives at Rock Cave. 

WARD B. ARMSTRONG, a native of Union District, born March 29, 1870. 
Son of Benjamin F. Armstrong and Rebecca J. Hudson. His parents came from 
Pocahontas County to Upshur County, soon after the close of the Civil War. His 
father was a member of the County Court of L^pshur County and took an active 
part in the great land suit, prosecuted by Benjamin Rich and others against 
the free holders of Union District, 

The subject of this sketch married November 14, 1894, Sarah M. Dickinson, 
and unto this union were given five children, whose names are : Louie, Audrey J., 
dead, Ida, Neva B., dead, Minnie D. j ■ 

Mrs. Armstrong was a daughter of J. M. Dickerson.^.., . 

March i, 1906, he married for his second wife, Sarah E. Lewis, the daughter 
of John Lewis and Louvina Ward. Mr. Lewis was a soldier in the Union Army 
during the Civil War. 



390 FAMILY HISTORY 

The subject of this sketch is a farmer, a member of the U. B. Church and 
a citizen interested very much in good local government. 

GEORGE EARNEST ASHWORTH, oldest son of James, who was the ^ 
son of James. His mother's maiden name was Margaret Ball, his parentage on 
both sides are natives of England. Is a farmer of Banks District, owns one hun- 
dred and four acres of land and a republican in politics. December 25, 1888, he 
married Mary E. Props, daughter of John Props of Harrison County. Children : 
Berta, born March 27, 1890 ; James D., born October 22, 1891 ; Madge, born May 
II, 1896, and Mollie Alice, born October 20, 1898. 

JAMES HENRY ASHWORTH, County Superintendent of the Public 
Schools of Upshur County, 1907-1911, was born May 7, 1879, in Lewis County. 
His parents were James H. and Margaret (Ball) Ashworth. He was raised on ~ 
a farm, was educated in the common school, and for the past two years has been 
a student at the West Virginia Wesleyan College. He is of English descent, 
his father and mother both being natives of England, the former having crossed 
the ocean seven times before settling permanently in America. 

His father was stone mason at the Weston Asylum, at the time he decided to 
settle in Lewis County. 

The subject of this sketch married Esta McCartney, a daughter of C. S. and 
Emily (Romine) McCartney, and to them have been born two children, whose 
names are, Hermit Roosevelt, born September 10, 1901, and Wesse Lee Ball, 
born November 14, 1904. 

Mr. Ashworth is now a citizen of Buckhannon and has his ofSce in the east 
room of the second floor of the Court House. 

WILLIAM H. AVINGTON, son of George W. Avington, who was the son 
of George Avington of Ireland. His mother was the daughter of David Hines 
of Ireland and her christian name was Margaret. His parents came to the 
United States in 1840, landing in New York, and moved out to Grafton, Virginia, 
in 1878, his father settled on the Middle Fork river, having purchased a farm of 
two hundred acres of land, and lived thereon till his death, March 13, 1905. 

The son and subject of this sketch lives at the homestead and follows farming 
for a livelihood. His brothers and sisters are : Michael V., George, John, Alice, 
(all dead), and Mary J., wife of Arthur Quinn, and Sarah C, wife of Michael 
McLaughlin and Thomas, living. 

CHARLES ANDREW BAILEY, wagon maker and blacksmith of Buck- 
hannon. born August 25, 1847, son of John P. Bailey and Sarah Mildred Roth- 
well. His parents came from Virginia in 1846, settling on Big Sand run. His 
grandfather was Ancil Bailey of Albermarle County, Va. He was the third of 
nine children, his brothers and sisters being Thomas A. (dead), William Henry, 
Elizabeth, wife of Harrison Dean, George W., James F. 

In 1S67, he came to Buckhannon and became an apprentice as wagon maker 
under George W. Johns. He has been in business for himself since 1878. His 
positions of trust have been deputy sheriflf under A. J. Marple and the same under 
J. J. INIorgan. He has been Chief of Police of Buckhannon and councilman 
for many years. He was 2d Lieutenant of the National Guards of West 
Virginia. 

On September 14, 1871, he married Sarah Ann Johns, daughter of G. W. 
Johns and a Miss McNair, the daughter of John AIcNair, and their children 
are: Lucy Clyde, wife of R. S. Folkes ; Emma Lee. wife of F. A. Kiddy, Jessie 
Violet, wife of C. C. McCarty, Maud, and Charles Rothwcll, and an adopted 




J. M. N. DOWNES, Attorney. HON. GEORGE MERVIN FLEMING. 




EUGENE BROWN, 
Clerk of the County Court. 



HARRISON A. DARN ALL, P. M. 




^ 

^ 



HENRY Q, LEWIS. 




A. I. BOREMAN, 





AARON GOULD, Jr 



DR. O. B. BEER. 



FAMILY HISTORY 391 

daughter who is the daughter of Bert Bailey, deceased, Floe. He is a Republican 
in politics and a Methodist in religion. 

ABRAM BENNETT, is the son of Silas Bennett, whose parents emigrated 
from Pendleton County in 1798, settling on the Head Waters of Turkey Run, his 
mother was Rebecca Crites, descendant from the Crites family, who were among 
the first settlers in the Buckhannon valley. His grandparents were Moses Bennett 
and Phoebe Queen. He was born July 12, 1828. At the outbreak of the Civil 
War he enlisted in the First West Virginia Light Artillery, and served in that 
company until 1865, or until the close of the war. He has always been a farmer. 
Has held one political office, that of Constable of Warren District, for eight 
years. 

He married Elizabeth Mick, daughter of Methias Mick and Mary Lambert. 
Children : Izetta Cedora, wife of Joseph L. Reeder ; Mary Rebecca, wife of Gideon 
M. Marple; Emma Victoria, wife of Robert Pickens; Clarence B., married 
Barbara M. Reeder; Oran B., married Mollie Fostter. 

WM. BAXTER BENNETT , farmer and stone mason. Son of Levi and 
Malinda (Campbell) Bennett. Was married March 11, 1869, to Malinda J. Dean. 
Louverta, Ella, Richard Baxter, Daisy, Ora. 

Children : Ida Jane, Emma, William Preston, Florence Estelle, Cora, 
Louverta Ella, Richard Baxter, Iva H., Dassie. 

ORMSBY ELLSWORTH BENNETT, son of Elias Bennett and Elizabeth 
Marple, grandson of Moses Bennett of German decent, who came from Pendleton 
County, to Lewis County, now Upshur. Moses Bennett's mother was an Ells- 
worth and his father was Levi Bennett a Revolutionary soldier. Children of Elias 
Bennett were Silas W., Isaiah M., and O. E., the subject of this sketch. He was 
raised on Hackers Creek on the farm he now owns. In 1867, February 3, he 
married Mary E. A. Lorentz, daughter of Jacob Lorentz, Jr., and their children 
are, Lafayette Ireland, and Sarah Roxana. 

Mr. Bennett owns a hundred and fifty acres of valuable grass and coal land 
and is a live stockman. 

VERNON LEE BENNETT, jeweler at Rock Cave, born May 6, 1861, son ^ 
of James M. Bennett and Jemima Siron Wilson, the daughter of Rev. Samuel 
Wilson and a Miss Siron. The grandson of David Bennett and Virginia Stuart 
of Highland County, Va., and the great grandson of William Bennett, who early 
in the 19th Century settled in Lewis County. His father, James M., was a 
member of the Militia, captured at Rock Cave, taken to Richmond, put in prison, 
escaped and returned home. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm 
and early made up his mind to be a jeweler. He began the jeweler trade in 
1878, and in 1884 came to Rock Cave and opened up a jewelry store. His only 
brother Clarence was employed in the United States Signal Service at San Diego, 
Cal., until his death. His father owned the first tannery in Banks District and 
V. L. took some lessons in tanning. His grandfather's children were Jonathan 
M. Bennett, William Bennett, Stuart Bennett, Sarah Jane, Abigail, Virginia, Mar- 
garet, and Rebecca. 

V. L. Bennett was married to Delia Boggs, December 11, 1889, daughter of 
Wesley Boggs and Rebecca McCray, daughter of Robert McCray. 

CHARLES BEAN, merchant at Beans Mill, fifteen miles south of Buck- 
hannon, is a native of the County. Born in 1856, his parents were Henry Bean 
and Julia A. Bosley, who immigrated from Hampshire County to Upshur County ,- 



392 FAMILY HISTORY 

in 1852. Mr. Bean was raised on a farm and in the mill now owned by him. 
He has been a successful merchant as well. 

He married Isabella Phillips, daughter of Lafayette Phillips, and to this 
union have been bom three children whose names are Wesley, Floyd, Lavidia. 

GABRIEL BEAX is the son of Henry Bean, who immigrated to this County 
from Hampshire County. The father was a millwright and a miller, and built 
and operated the first mill at what is now known as Beans Mills. 

Mr. Bean married Ladassa Burr, daughter of Eldridge Burr, Jr., and to this 
vmion were bom eleven children, lona, wife of Willis Loudin; Biddy, wife of Dow 
Bosley, Adda, wife of Frank Kutt; Maud, wife of Thomas E. Cunningham, 
Minnie, wife of David McCann, and (the unmarried), Effie, Flossie, Charles, 
William, Cleveland and Benjamin. 

Mr. Bean was a soldier in the Civil War, being a private in the Upshur 
Batten.% Company E. Light Artillery. He ser\-ed throughout the war and is now 
a pensioner. He has been a faithful, loyal member of the U. B. Church at Indian 
Camp for thirt\- vears. and class leader. 

ELAM DOWDEX BEAX, bom July 4, 1864, near Peel Tree, son of Wesley 
Bean and \'irginia Poling, grandson of Benjamin Bean and Xancy Queen. 
Benjamin Bean immigrated from EUicotts Mill near Baltimore, located in Har- 
rison County and married there. His sister, Stella, is the wife of Edward 
Hudkins. of Barbour County. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools, in the Philippi 
school, the Flemington Xormal, graduating from the Fairmont State X'ormal 
in 1888. He taught school for thirteen years and quit the school room to engage 
in the mercantile business. He was clerk for Hodges and Smith at Peel Tree for 
three years, was clerk for Hodges at Peck's run five years, and has been rimning a 
store for himself at Peck'sRun for the past five years. He married Emma Bean, 
daughter of James H. Bean of Barbour Countj- in 1891. Children : Mabel, Roxie, 
Joy, Ava. 

JAMES BEAX is a farmer of Meade District, owner of eighty acres of land, 
was bom 1866, a native of the County, the son of John William Bean and Sarah 
Killingsworth, who was the daughter of John Killingsworth and Jane Dalphin 
of Highland County, \"irginia. The grandson of Henn,^ Bean and Julia A. 
Bosley. Was raised on a farm, worked as assistant sur\-eyor of the B. Sc O. 
engineer corps for twelve years and resigned to go to his farm. 

His sisters are, Emma, wife of Bird Fowler ; Virginia, wife of George Fowler, 
and Lizzie, single. 

X.A.TH.\X' BEAX'. a farmer of Washington District, was bom January 2, 
1844. the son of Henry Bean and Julia A. Bosley. His fatheY moved to L'pshur 
County in 1850. settling on the waters of Indian Camp Run. He married Eleanor 
Bean, January 14. 1873. and to this union were born six children. Cora A., wife 
of R. L. Wamsley : Ertha G., married Mary X'ichols ; Vertie, wife of Harry, 
Beale ; Clark S.. engineer on the B. & O. railroad ; J. Cremar, on Chicago railroad ; 
Truman and Clarence. 

DR. OSCAR B. BEER, bom near Queen's, March 27, 1870, son of G. W. 
and Mar}- M. Taylor. His father was a soldier of the Civil War and belonged to 
Company M, 3d W. \"a. Cavalrj- (L^nion). His grandfather. John Beer, came to 
W. Va. from Clarion Count}-, Pa., just before the Civil War. and located at 
Sago, where he lived until his death. The subject of this sketch was educated 
in the public schools of the county and at the Xormal and Classical Academy of 



FAMILY HISTORY 393 

Buckhannon. He received his medical education and training at the University 
Medical College, Lebanon, Ohio, Maryland Aledical College, Baltimore, Chicago 
Eye, Ear Xose and Throat College, Chicago 111., School of Electro-Therapeutics, 
Chicago, and New York Post Graduate School and Hospital. 

He began the practice of medicine during the summer of 1898, at French 
Creek, moving to Buckhannon in 1903, where he has permanently located. Mar- 
ried Ada J. Sexton, daughter of Worthy L. Sexton of French Creek. They have 
one son, Harold S., born August 28, 1900. The Doctor is a Presbyterian and a 
Republican. 

ROBERT THOMAS HAMILTON BEXSOX, was born April 29, 1834, 
son of Robert A. Benson, who was born July 4, 1792, and Sarah L. Donagaha, 
born April 4, 1794. Their marriage ceremony was celebrated in Bath County, 
\'a., September 12, 181 5. Mr Benson is a prosperous farmer of Washington 
District and is related to the family of T. G. Farnsworth, through his sister, 
Margaret Jane Benson marr\-ing Thomas Marshall, June 20, 1833. 

CHARLES FOREST BERRY, a native of Lewis County, son of Andrew 
Jackson Berry and Arminta Clark, grandson of Ephram Berry and Jacob Clark, 
who came from Albemarle County, Va.. When five years old, his parents moved 
to Lorentz, L'pshur County, where they have since lived and where he was edu- 
cated until he began his apprenticeship as barber, under C. B. Lewis, for whom he 
still works. He married Lena X'ewlon Barrett, daughter of Amos Barrett 
and Ida Cockerill, February 22, 1905. Child; Virginia Lee, bom February 11, 
1906. 

JOHN SYL\^STER BEVERAGE is a farmer of Banks District. Owns 
one hundred and twenty-four acres of land of which sevent\--five are improved, 
with good orchards, residence, etc.. thereon. 

The fami is located on the waters of the Kanawha river. 

He was bom December 22 1850, the son of Andrew and Eliza J. (Eagle) 
Beverage, and the grandson of John and Margaret (Rimmer) Beverage. 

Andrew Beverage, the father of J. S., settled on the waters of Kanawha or 
Cow River in 1852. 

John Beverage, the grandfather of subject, came to this country with his 
brther, Henry, from Germany and settled in this county t\vo decades ago. On 
October 3, 1872. he married Rachel Bland, who was bom April 6, 1S84, and their 
children are: ^linnie E., wife of J. L. Mick of Lewis County; Virginia M., wife 
of W. P. Kincaid of Lewis County, and Georgia A., wife of J. Q. Snyder. 

Mrs. Beverage is the daughter of Job and Margaret (Cunningham) Bland 
of Pendleton County. Her grandinother was a native of Virginia. 

WILLIAM BE\'ERAGE was born April 3, i860, was married September 3, 
1882, to Mary Bell Rexroad, who was bom X^ovember 28, 1861. Their children 
are: Lyde, bom September 16, 1884, married October 27, 1904 to R. C. 
McKissic ; Ford, born ^larch 26, 1890. 

Mr. Beverage was a son of Andrew S. Beverage and Eliza Jane (Eagle) 
Beverage. Andrew S. was a son of John Beverage of Virginia, who was a great 
hunt'^r and trapper in his day. 

Mr. Beverage, the subject of this sketch is a farmer and a stone mason. His 
home is on the waters of West Fork, called White's Camp. He is a faitliful 
member of the Cherry Fork U. B. Church. 



394 FAMILY HISTORY 

REBECCA BLACK, farmer, daughter of Abram and Barbara (Lance) 
Post and wife of Samuel Black, deceased, was born June i, 1874. Child: Cary 
Jane, wife of a Mr. Burrell. 

CHARLES P. BOYLES is a native of Preston County. His father was 
Andrew Boyles and his mother, before her marriage, was Catherine V. Wotring, 
his grandfather was Gilbert A. Boyles, Sr., a soldier in the war of 1812, and the 
son of a German immigrant to America. Andrew Boyles settled near Alexander 
in 1866, where the subject of this sketch has since lived. 

He was the fifth of nine children. Married Jemima E. Huffman, daughter 
of Joseph Huffman, and Amelia Barb, whose parents came from Hampshirs=- 
County. His brother, L. M., who was killed through accident at Grafton, W. Va., 
and S. W., were soldiers in the Civil War. 

Children : L. W., O. F., Daisy C, J. A. and J. B. 

Owns eighty acres of land, works at lumbering and belongs to the U. B. 
Church. His residence is at Indian Camp where he has lived since his marriage. 

WILLIAM H. BOYLES, a native of Preston County, son of Andrew 
Boyles and Catherine Wotring, the daughter of John Wotring, was born August i' 
1849, his father moved to Barbour County, from there t Upshur County when 
William was a boy and there lived anddied. Th e subject of this sketch left his 
home in young manhood and went to Kentucky, and from there to Colorado to 
work in the gold mines. He married for his first wife Josephine Oves and their 
children were : Ceolia, now dead, and Katie Frances, who lives in Colorado. 

His second wife was Rosanna Gould, the daughter of Joseph Gould and 
Lois Howes, the daughter of John Howes and Catherine Pringle, who was the 
daughter of John, who was the son of Samuel Pringle, she was the granddaughter 
of Mathon Gould, Jr., the son of Mathon Gould Sr., who settled on French Creek 
in 1808, and their children are: Russell Willard, born 1901, and Thelma, born 
1903. Mr. Boyles is a farmer of Meade District, owns one hundred and seventy- 
six acres of land. A Republican in politics and the great grandson of Gilbert 
Boyles, a soldier in the war of 1812. 

JOHN THOMAS BOYD, born October 15, 1858, son of Calvin Boyd and 
Louisa Curry, the daughter of John and Mary Curry, and the granddaughter of ' 
James Curry, Sr., the son of John Curry. The subject of this sketch was raised 
on a farm, received his education in the schools near his home. In 1879 he was 
employed by Edward Curry to clerk in his store at Rock Cave, he remained 
with his employer until 1888, since which time he has conducted and owned the 
business for himself. On June 26, 1901, he married Mary Virginia Anderson 
of Lewis County, and to them have been born one son, James E., born March 31, 
1902. His wife was the daughter of James J. Anderson and Lucretia Bly. The 
father of John T. was a member of the Upshur Militia captured at Rock Cave and 
was taken to Richmond, then to Salsbury, N. C, where he died. His brothers and 
sisters are : William H. Boyd, married Ella Brake, daughter of Jacob and Nancv'^" 
Curry, is a blacksmith and farmer, now of Kansas ; Jennie Susan, wife of Robert 
Vincent; Robert Calvin, once merchant at Pickens, now dead, married Jocasto 
Goodwin ; John T., is a republican in politics and has been and is a successful 
successor to his uncle Edward Curry, whose business he closed up. His uncle'*:- 
married Lucretia Wilson, the daughter of Rev. Samuel Wilson of Highland 
County, Virginia. Both his uncle and aunt are dead. 

OTHA W. BONNER, of Union District, Upshur County, was born in 
Marion County, September 22, 1848, son of Joseph and Eliza (Moran) Bonner, 



FAMILY HISTORY ■ 395 

who were both natives of Monongalia County, but who now live in INIiddle Fork 
District of Randolph County. 

Amos Bonner, the grandfather of the subject was a native of Pennsylvania, 
and of Scotch Irish descent. 

Eliza Moran was a daughter of Hezekiah and Rachel (Norris) Moran of 
French descent and were raised near Baltimore, Md. 

In 1861, Mr. Bonner came with his parents to Randolph County, settling near 
Helvetia, where they cleared out an extensive farm, which is still known as the 
Bonner farm. 

On January i, 1870, Mr. Bonner married Jane Queen, a daughter of A. C. 
and Nancy (Starcher) Queen and a granddaughter of Peter Charles Queen, whose 
ancestors came from Ireland at an early date. Mrs. Bonner's parents were raised 
on Hacker's Creek. 

Their children are: Florence May, Leona, Elbert, Moran, Frank, Leslie, 
Nellie, Joseph Sterling, Nina and Pearle. The first, third, eighth and ninth 
of these are now dead. 

At the age of seventeen Mr. Bonner began teaching school and taught fifteen 
terms in succession in Randolph and Upshur Counties. Finally settling at Alton, 
Upshur County, where offices of trust were soon thrust upon him. Such as 
Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of the County Court and President of the 
County Court. 

He has been a Notary Public for many years. 

GEORGE CASWELL BOND is a farmer of Banks District, born Septem- 
ber 30, 1874. The son of Albert A. Bond and Jane Wise, and the grandson of 
Thomas Bond, who by virtue of his labors as a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, 
was permitted and did enter patent on seventy-nine thousand acres of land in what 
is now LTpshur, Webster and Randolph Counties. 

Married Alice Johnson, daughter of James Johnson of Braxton County. 
Children: Anna Bell, born July 14, 1898; Cecil Monroe, born April 25, 1902. 
This last child was accidently burned to death. 

JOHN ADAM BOSLEY, a farmer and lumberman of Alton, W. Va., was 
born May 5, 1854. His parents Henry and Hannah Bosley, emmigrated from 
Mineral County to this county in 1865, settling on the waters of Indian Camp Run, 
where they have lived since and where the subject of this sketch was raised 
on the farm, yet owned and operated by his father, who is now ninety-two years 
old. He had three brothers in the Northern army, in the war between the States, 
namely; Martin V. Bosley, a private in the ist Indiana Regiment, who contracted 
a cold on measles, which caused his death in 1862 ; Robert L. Bosley, a private in 
Company E, West Virginia Light Artillery, and William H. Bosley, a private 
in the 6th West Virginia Cavalry. 

He has two sisters, Roxana, wife of Judson Cutright; Amy, wife of R. H. 
Bosley. 

Married Lorena Heinbaugh of Pennsylvania. Child : Norma Boslev. 

MARY E. (BURR) BOSLEY, the daughter of Eldridge Burr and Nancy 
Jane Jack, the granddaughter of Martin Burr, who was the son of John Burr, 
who came from Massachusetts to Randolph County in the first part of the 19th 
Century, settling on the waters of the Middle Fork river. She married Robert L. 
Boseley, a soldier of the Upshur Battery, December 27, 1880, at Olney, 111. Their 
children are: Burr, Rosco, and Grace. 

They now live in Grafton, W. Va. 



396 FAMILY HISTORY 

JOHN CALVIN BRADY is a farmer of Meade District. Was born Janu- 
ary i8, 1851, son of William S. Brady and Frances Jane Lemon, the daughter of 
James Lemon and Elizabeth Jackson of Bath County, Va., and the grandson of 
John Brady, of Pennsylvania, who emigrated from there to Pendleton County, 
and thence to Randolph County, at the age of twenty-one. 

John Brady was twice married, had four children by his first wife, two 
daughters and two sons, all now dead. One of these daughters was the great 
grandmother of Dr. O. B. Beer. 

John Brady's second wife was Susanna Ware, of Randolph County, and by 
this marriage he had two sons, William S. Brady and Allen Brady, and five 
daughters, Christian, who married an Alkire; Ellen, who married a Coburn; 
Nancy, who married a Simons ; Ruth, who married John W. Abbott ; Sarah, who 
married Eliah Butcher. 

The father of the subject of this sketch settled in Upshur County in 1837, 
on the waters of French Creek. Was a farmer and had fifteen children : Salina 
B., wife of L. R. Cutright; Delilah J., wife of John W. Loudin ; Caswell E., 
married Martha Phillips, the daughter of Ebenezer Phillips and Catherine 
Loudin ; A. W., married Ellen Perry and Celia Burr for his second wife and 
Mary Nixon for his third wife ; Granville B., who married Mary Rowe of 
Barbour County ; Perry S., married Olive Phillips, daughter of Franklin Phillips ; 
Lucretia E., wife of Samuel W. Loudin; James D., married Bertha Gould, 
daughter of Marshall Gould ; Loyd N., married Sarah Crites, the daughter of 
Abraham Crites; Martha S., wife of Sydney Perry; William Tecumseh Sherman, 
who married Hattie Thorp, daughter of Major Thorp ; Idella Alice, married Ward 
Phillips, son of David Phillips, and now the wife of Henry Alestock. 

The subject of this sketch married Malissa E. Phillips, the daughter of 
Ebenezer Phillips, the granddaughter of William Phillips and the great grand- 
daughter of David, and to this union have been given six children, two now 
living whose names are: Loyd D., born 1873, now dead, married Lauda Loudin; 
Royal Preston, born 1877, died 1896; George T., born 1880, dead; Don G., born 
1877, dead; Eula ]M., born 1885; Minnie D., born 1890. 

J. C. Brady was educated in the common schools and has been farming all his 
life, except the time he was engaged in performing the duties of political offices. 
He has been constable of Meade District, Jailor of Upshur County under Sheriff 
A. J. Marple, and guard at the Moundsville Penitentiary eight years, from 1897 
to 1906. 

He owns a farm on the waters of Grand Camp of French Creek in Meade 
District, where he now lives, pursuing his favorite occupation in his well inherited 
Scotch-Irish ways. 

Caswell E. Brady, the present Superintendent of the Poor Farm of Upshur 
County has held that position for two years. He was the oldest son of his parents. 
Was a soldier in Company G, ist West Virginia Cavalry during the war, under 
Captain Hagans, enlisting March 3, 1865, and being discharged July 1865. His 
children are : Stella F., the wife of John Smalldridge, Jr. ; Catherine Edna ; Mellie 
French ; Anna Lee ; Victor Francis. 

At the time he was made superintendent of the poor farm, he was a farmer of 
Meade District, where he owned eighty-five acres of gaad land, on which he had a 
grist mill, which he operated for several years with success before the introduc- 
tion of improved machinery. 



FAMILY HISTORY 397 

He is a decendant of Samuel Brady, the noted Indian Scout of Ohio, as are 
all the Brady family of Upshur County. 

Samuel Brady will always be remembered by the great leap he made, when 
pursued by Indians, and the spot of the leap and the incident of its occurrence is 
known in American History as Brady's Leap. 

GILMORE F. BRAKE, son of Isaac Brake and Jemima M. Queen, daughter 
of Armstead Queen, born October 13, 1853, on Turkey Run, was raised a farmer 
and now owns twenty-six and one half acres of land. He married Mary E. Mick, 
daughter of Nicholas Mick, granddaughter of Matthias Mick, on May 5, 1880. 
Children : Claude Andrew, student at the Wesleyan College of West Virginia. 
Born May 13, 1881 ; and John Aldace, born May 26, 1887. 

HYRE BRAKE, born April 16, 1839, son of John Brake and Sophia Sexton, 
grandson of John Brake, who was captured by the Indians. His mother was a 
daughter of Noah Sexton and a Miss Watt of Mass. He was raised on a farm 
and is a farmer, owning a good tract of land on Mud Lick Run. 

In 1857 he was married to Narcissa Bailey, daughter of William Bailey and 
Susanna Xewlon, of Taylor County, and the granddaughter of Joseph Bailey of 
Fauquier County, Va. 

Children : Lloyd, Dora, Mary, Loomis, Ella, Albert, Arthur and Maud. 

Lloyd, Ella and Maud are now living. 

Mr. Brake is a member of the Baptist Church. 

MAJOR BRAKE, son of Lemuel and Sarah M. (Krise) Brake, born April 
14, 1876, on Cutright's Run. His father was a son of John Brake and was mar- 
ried twice, his first wife, Polly Hyer, the second wife, the mother of this sketch. 
Ma:rried Rhody Lane, daughter of T. Brasher and Mary (Williams) Lane, 
October 22, 1896. 

Lemuel Brake was born June 15, 1819, and died May 30, 1896. Sarah M. 
(Krise) Brake, born February 26, 1830. and died July 24, 1902. 

ROLANDUS CLARK BRAKE, born May 5, 1856, son of Elmore Brake 
and Harriet Little, who was the daughter of James Bryan of Botetourt County, 
Va. His grandfather was John B. Brake, the son of John Brake, who was cap- 
tured by the Indians and taken to Ohio, where he lived with them for twelve years, 
or until he was twenty-four years of age, when one of the Bozarths brought him 
home. His father's first wife was a Miss Looims and their children were Martha, 
wife of Moses Famsworth, Louise, wife of George M. Rohrbough ; Albert R., and 
George J. His father's second wife was the widow of James Little and their 
children were John M., Lawyer and the subject of this sketch, who married 
Rebecca Ann Shockey, the widow of Izaiah Shockey. Her maiden name was 
Burdette. 

R. C. is a farmer, and owns thirty-seven acres of land on Brushy Fork. His 
father's third wife was a Miss Malone. 

BRAIN FAMILY. 

BENJAMIN BRAIN, the ancestor of the family in this part of the state 
emigrated from England to the United States when a mere boy, and after wander- 
ing several years from settlement to settlement, he married and lived at a fort on 
the frontier on the waters of Snowy Creek. 

In 1779, he and his two sons had an encounter with the vindictive savages, 
who frequented the neighborhood about the fort, which protected his family. 



398 FAMILY HISTORY 

Benjamin was killed and the two sons, Benjamin, Jr., twelve years of age, and 
Isaac, nine years of age were taken into captivity. 

Benjamin, Jr., was carried into the Northwestern territory across the Ohio 
river and was there adopted into the family of the chief of the tribe which had cap- 
tured him. Isaac was carried South by the Indians and contracted a fever, which 
caused his death. Benjamin, Jr., escaped from the Indians after living with them 
six years, returned home and married at the age of twenty-nine. His children 
were: Elijah H., James, Rachel, Annie, Miriam. 

Miriam married Henry Swisher and settled in Marion County ; Annie married 
Jacob Vincen and went west. Elijah H., at the age of sixteen was made an 
apprentice to learn the carpenter trade, served out his time, was proficient and went 
out to work for himself. He finally came to Marion County and there married 
Roanna Swisher, daughter of Jacob Swisher and granddaughter of John Swisher, 
who emigrated from Germany. 

Children of Elijah H. Brain: Rufus, Susan, Elma, Isaac, Harriet, Benjamin 
F. Alcinda and J. O. Three of these children, Susan, Isaac and Harriet died 
while young. In 1859, Elijah Brain bought land in the southern portion of 
Upshur County and on account of the complete density of the forest was obliged 
to rent a farm near where the Carter Postoffice now is, until he was able to erect 
a log house on his land and clear out a small patch around it. 

His eldest son, Rufus, at the outbreak of the Civil War, enlisted in Company 
E, 3d West Virginia Infantry and reenlisted in Company C, 6th West Virginia 
Cavalry, serving almost continuously from the beginning to the end of the 
Rebellion, and when this war closed his Company was ordered West to guard the 
frontier against invasions of Indians. And on account of this service to his 
country by his eldest son, Elijah had very little help during the first years of his 
settlement in the upper end of the county. 

Rufus Brain married Celia Scott, Elma married Michael Guyer, Alcinda 
married Peter J. Smith, Miriam married J. M. Vangilder, Benjamin F. married 
Ida Lewis and J. O. married E. C. Lewis. 

J. O. Brain was a school teacher for one term, he is now a carpenter and 
farmer at Selbyville, W. Va. 

RUFUS BRAIN, a farmer of Washington District near Hemlock, W. Va. 
Was born February 4, 1841, in Marion County. Son of Elijah H. and Roanna 
(Swisher) Brain. His father was a farmer and mechanic and for a broader field 
of action moved to Upshur County in 1859, near Kings Palace, now Palace Valley. 

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Brain enlisted in Company E, 3d West 
Virginia Infantry, and served therein until 1865, when he reenlisted as a veteran 
and went across the plains to guard the frontier settlements against Indian 
invasions. 

During his war record he was not wounded or captured or was sent to an 
hospital. He is now a pensioner under the general disability law. 

In January, 1865, he married Celia Scott, a daughter of William and Susa 
(Channel) Scott of Randolph County, and to this union have been born seven 
children, six of whom are living; Alice, wife of Asbury Taylor; Clamanzie, wife 
of E. H. Markley ; Olive, wife of Joseph Radabaugh ; Lizzie, wife of Willis Coff- 
man ; W. T., married Matilda Wolf ; George H., married Eliza Currence. 

For genealogy of subject see Brain family. 



FAMILY HISTORY 399 

BASCOM L. BROWN, Deputy County Clerk of Upshur County. Was 
born July 12, 1856, son of Edward J. Brown and Margaret Young, and the 
grandson, on his mother's side, of Gilbert and Amaryllis (Barrett) Young. 

The subject of this sketch was married to Victoria L. Rohrbough, the 
daughter of Isaac Rohrbough and Margaret Dolly Linger of Lewis County, 
October 2, 1887. Their children are. Maggie Lenore, born January 16, 1889; Eva 
Leota, born July i, 1890; Edward Lloy, born October 21, 1892; Elden Leo, 
born April 8, 1896. 

Mr. Brown has in his possession a book of writing done on paper of the old 
hand made variety, given to him by his grandmother on the maternal side, 
Amaryllis Young (nee Barrett), presented to Amaryllis Young by her mother, 

Mary Barrett, (nee Dow), presented to Mary Barrett by Clark, and 

to her by John Clarke, her father, and the author of said penmanship, which was 
executed by him in the year 1708, and pronounced by all experts, who have 
examined same, to be second to none in existence. 

Mr. Brown for years prior to his acceptance of the Deputy Clerkship of 
the County Court of Upshur, was engaged in the carpenter trade and the music 
business. He is a good machinist. 

EUGENE BROWN, County Clerk, born February 19, 1854. Son of 
Edward J. and Margaret F. (Young) Brown, grandson of Gilbert and Amaryllis 
(Barrett) Young, whose children are Ruhama, Lydia, wife of Adolphus Brooks, 
Mary, wife of Uriah Phillips, Ann, wife of Jacob Hart, Margaret, wife of 
Edward J. Brown, Estelle, wife of George Phillips, Martha, wife of W. Page, 
and Asa B., who died in AndersonviUe Prison, being captured at Rock Cave as 
a member of Upshur Militia. 

Educated in Public School and French Creek Academy. Teacher for 
thirty years, in Upshur and Randolph Counties, W. Va., and the state of Kansas. 
County Assessor of Second District, 1897 to 1901. County Clerk, 1903 to 1909. 

Married Delia Beegle, born July 26, 1864, at Lena. Illinois. Met her at 
Hutchinson, Kansas. Married her November 30, 1882. 

Children : Edna Lauretta, born September 12, 1888 ; Willard Eugenia, born 
March 20, 1898. 

FRED IDYAN BROWN, born July 12, 1882, near Rock Cave, son of 
Charles L. and Mary E. (Young) Brown. Charles L. Brown was county super- 
intendent one term, he resigned to go West and is now serving his third term 
as district attorney in Arizona. His son Fred I. Brown was educated in the 
common schools and the West Virginia Conference Seminary. 

SAMUEL ISAAC BROWN, son of Archibald Brown, born November 18, 
1844, in Pocohontas County. Was soldier in Company F, Virginia Infantry, 
under Captain Nimrod Hyer and Lieutenant Samuel Rollison, was scout under 
Rosencrans and was with Averill in the Salem raid. He married Caroline 
E. Smith, whose mother was a Farnsworth of New Jersey. 

Children: Shelton C, Maggie L., Austin Blair, Millie Ann, Dona Bertha, 
Washington Lee, Eliza J., Woodsev, Nellie and James Averill. 

WILLIAM I. BROWN, was' a private under Captain S. B- Phillips, of 
Company E, Third Regiment of West Virginia Infantry, enlisted on the 22d 
day of June, 1861, to serve three years or during the war, was discharged at 
Martinsburg, W. Va., on the 28th day of February, 1864, by reason of re- 
enlistment as a corporal of Captain Robert E. Lindsey, Company C, Sixth West 
Virginia Veteran Cavalry. On the 29 day of February he reenlisted at Martins- 



400 FAMILY HISTORY 

burg and was discharged at Fort Sedwick, Colorado, on the 27th day of 
February, 1866, by reason of disability. After enlisting the first time, his 
company was moved to Clarksburg, W. Va., but was soon returned to Buck- 
hannon as General McClellan's body guard and served in that capacity during 
his (McClellans) West Virginia campaign. After the close of the war, he 
went to Colorado and Wyoming with his company, in which he last enlisted to 
guard the overland route and pioneer emigrants. 

Married Marion Phillips, daughter of Edwin Phillips and Sophronia Young, 
who was a daughter of Robert Young. Children : Elden Brown, now clerk in 
State Auditor's office, and Geo. E. Brown of French Creek, W. I. Brown, is son 
of Edward J. Brown. 

ALONZO BEECHER BROOKS, surveyor and civil engineer, born May 
6th, 1873. Educated in the public schools and the West Virginia Conference 
Seminary. Took an apprenticeship in surveying under Linn T. Phillips. Formed 
a partnership with Prof. W. O. Mills in 1903. Taught school in Upshur County 
six years ; Assistant County Clerk in 1904-5. 

Married June 22, 1899, to Nellie Coburn, daughter of Edgar and Mary E. 
(Young) Coburn. Made a complete map of Upshur County, indicating farms, 
farm houses, roads, streams, churches, school houses, district lines, postofifices, 
etc., and published the same 1905. A student in the West Virginia University at 
this date. 

LUKE P. BROOKS, born June 7, 1847, in Boone County, Va., son of 
Rev. Richard L. Brooks and Judith Atkinson, raised a farmer, educated in the 
public schools, married Barbara J. Rexroad, daughter of Thomas Rexroad and 
Sarah Pullins and have nine living children and one dead. Richard Thomas, 
Bessie, wife of J. Arthur Crawford, Sarah J., wife of William R. Leachman, 
Laura, Benson, Mary L., Edgar A., Cosby Ruth, Olga K., and Myrl. He 
has been Justice of the Peace of Banks District, Assessor of Personal Property 
in the Second District of Upshur County, and County Superintendent of Public 
Schools. He was a soldier in Company B, Tenth West Virginia Infantry, under 
Captain J. L. Gould. He is a pensioner. His parents were natives of Tazwell 
County, Va. 

WILLIS W. BRUCE, a native of Pennsylvania, born January 9, 1855, son 
•of Riley Bruce and Mary Dean, and a grandson of George Bruce, and a Miss Cox 
of Virginia. His grandfather was a native of Scotland, immigrating to the 
United States just before the war of 1812, and was nearly related to the Bruces 
of Maryland. The subject of this sketch was raised in Pennsylvania, educated 
in the public schools, Grove City College and McElwain Institute. For fifteen 
years he worked in the oil fields of Pennsylvania, and for ten years at the plumb- 
ing business in Erie, Pa. In 1895, he came to Mannington, W. Va., and after 
a short stay there, went to Parkersburg to pursue his calling. He arrived in 
Buckhannon November, 1899, and opened up a large plumbing shop, preparatory 
to doing work for those who would be willing and ready to receive gas, which 
arrived in January, 1900. He followed the plumbing business here eighteen 
months and was promoted to the Superintendency of the Buckhannon Gas Com- 
pany March, 1901. He still holds this position under the West Virginia Central 
Gas Company. He married Miss Lottie C. .Anderson, daughter of M. J. .Ander- 
son of Warren, Pa., 1880. 



FAMILY HISTORY 401 

CHARLES M. BUSH, born October 24, i860, at Gaston, Lewis County. 
Son of Nathaniel Bush, whose wife was Martha Jackson, a daughter of Jacob 
J. Jackson, the son of John Jackson, Jr., the son of John Jackson, Sr. 

Nathaniel Bush was a son of Jacob Bush, the son of George F. Bush, who,- 
prior to 1800, owned considerable land on the Buckhannon river, below Buck- 
hannon town. His father was John Bush, after whom the Fort of that name, 
located below Buckhannon, was called. 

Nathaniel Bush, once a sheriff of Lewis County, was the father of nine 
children, whose names were: A. C, who married Tillie Dawson and lives 
in Clay County, Kansas; J. E., who married Lilian Nichols of Lewis Co.; P. A., 
who lives in Clay City, Kansas ; Fanny, the wife of W. J. Matheny of Terra Alta ; 
Mollie, the wife of D. B. Lawson of Berlin ; A. L., who lives in California ; Flora, 
at home; Isaac, dead; and Charles M., subject of sketch, who now lives at 
Buckhannon, a mechanic in the employ of the Viehmier Planing IMill Company, 
and whose wife was Sarah Stalnaker, a daughter of Marshall Stalnaker, direct 
decendant of the Stalnaker family, among the first settlers of Randolph County. 

GEORGE DAVIS BUTCHER, lumberman and mill operator, principal 
works at Bean's Mill. Was born January 15, 1862, in Lewis County. His 
parents were John S. Butcher and Credalai Gaston. His grandfather was 
Casper Butcher and his great grandfather, John A. Butcher. Among the first 
settlers of Lewis Countty. He is of German descent, his foreparent having 
emigrated from Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools and at 
his majority, began his career as a lumberman, which he has pursued assiduously 
and without break for twenty-three years. He has operated exclusively in West 
Virginia, in the counties of Lewis, Upshur. Randolph, Webster and Greenbrier. 

He married Mary Turner, daughter of Marshall Turner, in 1884. Children, 
Alefa, Mollie, Willie, Nellie and Frankie. His oldest daughter is the wife of 
Antanus Zickefoose. 

JOHN WILLIAM CALHOUN, a farmer and travelling salesman. Son of 
William J. and Mary (Rohrbough) Calhoun. His mother was the daughter 
of Benjamin and Lucinda (Hyer) Rohrbough. He was born October 23, 1856, 
and married Phoebe L. Summers, daughter of George W. Summers. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON CAMPBELL, born December 15, 1888, son of 
De.xter S. Campbell and E. V. Regester, his brothers and sisters are Henry' V., 
Arlie O., Levander M., Londie W., and Minnie. His father is the son of Jacob 
Campbell, Jr., and Sarah Suder of Barbour County, and the grandson of Peacher 
B. Campbell, Sr., and Margaret Decker, and the great grandsnn of James 
Campbell, who came to Barbour County from Pendleton County, his grandmother 
was the daughter of Solomon Suder and Dorcas Bennett, who was the daughter 
of David Bennett and Sarah Simon, and the granddaughter of Moses Bennett 
and Phoebe Casto. His mother is the daughter of James K. Regester and Susan 
Oldaker. His father is a member of the Democratic party, the Christian Church 
and follows farming for a living. 

ASAHEL CASTO, born on Turkey Run, the son of Isaac and Dorcas 
(Cutright) Casto, and the grandson of David Casto, who immigrated in an early 
day to the settlement on the Buckhannon river and whose home fami is 
now owned by one of his sons by the name of David Casto. His brothers and 
sisters were: Rebecca. Mary Jane, Luther B,. Manley, Gideon, a confederate 
soldier, Diaemma, Wingfield and Willis. Asahel, the child, was also a Confed- 
erate soldier, serving two years on the Southern side. 



402 FAMILY HISTORY 

After his return home from the war, he engaged in farming, which pursuit 
he still follows in Lewis County, where he now lives. He is a member of 
the Methodist Protestant Church. 

He married Sarah Jane Peterson, daughter of Aaron D. and Lydia 
(Talbot) Peterson. 

Children : Olive, Didemma, Jasper N., Samuel G., Ruhama, Aaron D., 
Jemima, Job, B. P., Luther D., Willis P., Harry G. (dead), Charles J., Icy J. 
and Etta. 

PARIS CASTO, farmer and plasterer. Born April 3, 1835, on Brushy 
Fork. Son of David D. and Francis (Abbott) Casto. Father's brothers, George 
and John Casto, left this county and moved to Jackson County in young manhood, 
their sister married a man by the name of Bennett. 

The Casto family of Irish descent came here from Pennsylvania. Paris 
Casto had two brothers, George \\'., still alive, and Biven, dead. Mr. Casto was 
a shoemaker at Lorentz. and Buckhannon several years. In Buckhannon he met 
Miss Martha R. Hays of Albermarle County, Va., who was visiting her brother- 
in-law, Joseph Little, acquaintance grew into love, and marriage ensued, Novem- 
ber 27, i860. 

Children : Nine born, seven living. George, died in infancy ; Eva, born in 
September 26. 1864, married J. Allman ; Joseph, died in infancy; Fannie, married 
Emory Reger; Lafayette, born January 27, 1870; David D., born September 29, 
1871 ; Ada. wife of C. Lee Mearns; \'irginia E.,; Charles B. 

CHARLES B. CASTO, born April 2, 1877, and lived on the farm till 22 
years of age. In 1899 he was employed by the Centurj' Coal Company as assis- 
tant surveyor for a large tract of coal land in Barbour and Upshur Counties. 
After completing this task he was engaged by C. L. Mearns of Selbyville to clerk 
in his store, which position he held until he joined his brother, D. D. Casto, in the 
mercantile business at Buckhannon. He married Bertha Shaw, daughter of 
Joseph K. Shaw and Jennie Maher Shaw, September 7, 1904. 

DAVID D. CASTO, merchant, member of Casto Bros., was born September 
29, 1871, near Lorentz. Was the sixth child of Paris and Martha Randolph 
(Hays) Casto. His mother was the daughter of David Hays of Albermarle 
County, Virginia. He began mercantile life as clerk for L. P. Shinn. remaining 
with him until he retired from retail business. On March 15, 1902, he entered 
into a partnership with his brother Charles B., and bought A. A. Simpson's store, 
at which stand they are still doing business. He married Loretta May Lewii 
September 3. 1895. 

Children: Viva, born November 23, 1896; Reta Lee, born December 5, 1898; 
Ernest Paul, born October 13, 1904. 

CHARLES LOMAN CASTO, born 2d of May, 1880, son of John W. Casto 
and Parthena Cutright, daughter of Asel Cutright, his father was a son of 
Martin E. Casto and Susan Morrison. 

Charles Loman married Dora May Hess, daughter of Seymour Hess and 
Loreta Wilfong. Is a resident of Meade District, is a farmer and owns a farm of 
sixty acres on the waters of the Buckhannon river, about two miles south of the 
Postoffice of Sago. 

JAMES LEE CASTO, a farmer of Warren District, was born October 24, 
1859. Son of David A. Casto and Angeline F. Karickhoff, grandson of David j. 
Casto and Sarah Ward, who is related to the Ward family of Barbour and Harri- 
son County. He was raised on a farm, on Turkey Run, was educated in the public 



FAMILY HISTORY 403 

schools and is now owner of a farm of fifty acres, which is given entirely to small 
fruit growing and livestock. 

His first wife was Laura C. Andrews, who is now Mrs. Armstrong of 
Cleveland, Ohio, to them were given two children, Fred and Denver Casto. The 
latter is dead. 

His second wife is Annie V. Childers, daughter of T. H. Childers. Mr. 
Casto is a Republican in politics, was Justice of the Peace of Warren District for 
eight years, and a representative citizen. 

A. BAKER CARTER son of Thomas Addison and Sarah E. (Ours) Carter, 
(for further genealogy see history of Leroy Carter). Is a native of Upshur 
County, the youngest son and youngest child in his father's family. Owns his 
father's homestead on the waters of Grassy Run. Is unmarried and has given 
almost all his time since he left the public schools to lumbering, such as grading, 
superintending and manufacturing lumber out of timber. Most of the time he 
has worked in West Virginia, a part of the time he has worked in Tennessee. His 
home is now Tallmansville, W. Va. 

JOHN BUNYON CARTER, is a farmer of Washington District, was born 
October 7, 1877. Is a son of Thomas x^ddison Carter and Sarah E. Ours. His 
paternal grandparents were Henry Carter and Martha Dameron. his maternal 
grandparents were Abram Ours and Rebecca Radabaugh. 

He married Christina Gibson and to them are born two children, Ruth and 
Mary. 

JOHN CURTIS CARTER, son of Thomas Addison Carter (for further 
genealogy see history of Leroy Carter). Was raised in Washington District, 
on the waters of Buckhannon river, near the postoffice of Tallmansville and on the 
hills overlooking the Buckhannon river, where his father owned a large farm. He 
is the second son of his father's family. Early gave himself to educational pursuits 
and soon began teaching in public schools, which profession he followed for 
several years with eminent success. He next became a salesman on the road 
and after following this vocation for years, he became an employe of the Coal 
& Coke R. R., which was being constructed through the central part of West Y'lv- 
ginia. It was while working for this company, he saw the opportunity of the 
mercantile business at Sago, the point where the Coal and Coke and B. & O. rail- 
roads intersect and there he put up a store, which he ran for years. He was 
chosen chairman of the Upshur County Republican Executive Committee, which 
position of trust he fulfilled satisfactorily, and in 1906, sold his store and went 
to Pittsburg to do clerical and superintending work for the Pittsburg Street 
Railway Company, and the Pennsylvania R. R., which position he now holds. 

He owns a farm of eighty acres of valuable land near the depot of Strader 
on the C. & C. R. R. 

LEROY CARTER, oldest son of Thomas A. Carter and Sarah E. Ours, born 
March 9, 1872. His father was born January 28, 1846, near Sago, Upshur 
County, enlisted in Company B, Tenth West Virginia Infantry, 1862, and served 
until 1865, was wounded twice in Webster County and Kernstown, Va., respec- 
tively. His father's army service began at Camp Canaan and continued through 
various parts of West Virginia, through Shenandoah \'alley, under Generals 
Milroy and Sheridan and before Petersburg and Richmond, and ended with the 
last fighting. Just before the surrender of General Lee, on which occasion he 
was fortunate in getting a piece of the apple tree which shaded the parties making 
the peace contract. His father was corporal in Company B, and for many years 



404 FAMILY HISTORY 

prior to his deatli, December 3, 1903, was a pensioner of the United States. His 
father married Sarah E. Ours February 16, 187 1. 

The grandfather of this sketch, Henry T. Carter, was a native of Nelson 
County, Va., born March 18, 1807, died August 10, 1885, near Sago, he married 
Martha Emerson of Nelson County, Va., February 16, 1836, and lived in Virginia 
till the Fall of 1843, when he settled in what is now Upshur County. His children 
were: Rev. John W., Henry T., Jr.. Thomas A., Page B., Martha, Eliza, Delia, 
Lena and Mary the wife of ElijahPhillips. 

His great grandfather, John Carter was born June 17, 1778, in Lancaster 
County. Va., and came with his father to Buckingham County, remainmg there 
until manhood. His wife was Mary S. Damron of Nelson County. In 1843 he 
moved to what is now Upshur County and after living here some years moved to 
Barbour County, where he died November 22, 1861, and his wife died January 23, 
1868. 

His great, great grandfather, Thomas Carter, was born in Lancaster County, 
Va., June 19, 1753. He was a man of enormous physical strength and a soldier 
in the Revolutionary war, he moved to Buckingham County, and from there to 
Hanover County, where he died February 9, 1825. From him it has descended 
that he was the son of one of three brothers, who migrated from England and 
settled on the eastern shores of Virginia, in a very early day. 

The subject of this sketch married Ionia L. Cutright, the oldest daughter of 
Jerome and Ellen (Neely) Cutright, May 5, 1897. His wife was born February 
4, 1877. Her father was the son of Dexter W. and Julia Ann (Kiddy) Cutright. 
Her mother's father was David Neely. 

Nina M. Carter, born April 27, 1901, is the only child of the subject of 
this sketch. 

Mr. Carter owns three hundred and fifty acres of land on Grass Run in 
Washington District. He taught school several years in his young manhood, 
was a merchant at Tallmansville and Sago for a few years and is now giving 
all his attention to the theory and practice of the most independent profession, 
known in this or any other land, that of farming. 

LORENZO DOW CARTER, a merchant and farmer of Meade District, was 
born January 19, 1884. His parents were Isaac Carter and Barbara C. Houser. 
Isaac Carter was a member of Company C, 133 West Virginia State Militia, under 
Captain Daniel Gould. Was captured at Centerville September 12, 1863, and 
taken to Richmond, where he was confined in Libby Prison, and underwent all 
the hardships of prison life. He returned home on the 9th of June, 1864, a living 
skeleton. Mr. Carter has been trustee of schools of Upshur County. Is a 
farmer, a Methodist in religion and a Republican in politics, and Upshur County 
has no better or more upriglit citizen than Isaac Carter. 

His grandfather was Albert Carter of Virginia, who immigrated to what is 
now West \'irginia, in 1858. settling on the farm now owned by Isaac Carter, 
Albert Carter died at the age of 67 years. Served in the war of 1812. M the 
beginning of the Civil War, his father enlisted in Company C, 133d West Virginia 
State Militia and was among those captured at Centerville in 1862. He was 
educated in the common schools and has had much experience m optioning and 
selling coal lands in the neighborhood where he lives, and has lived for the past 
five years. v 

ABRAHAM CARPER was born in Reading, Pa., in the year 1763. His 
father, Paul (Kerber) Carper, was born in Germany and died in Reading, Pa., in 



FAMILY HISTORY 405 

1777. At the time of his death he was assistant quartermaster and recruiting 
officer in the Colonial Army. 

In early manhood, Abraham Carper moved to Moorefield, Va., where he 
married Permilia Hamis. Jn June, 1800, he moved his family to a then nameless 
region, and built, in a dense forest, a log house, located on a site with the present 
(1906) Campus of the West Virginia Wesleyan College. This was the first 
dwelling house erected within the corporate limits of what is now Buckhanon. 

By trade he was a hatter. A man of sterling integrity, of more than ordi- 
nary intelligence, and a most ardent believer in the Christian Religion. He was 
brought up in the faith as taught by the German Lutheran Church, and was 
a recognized member of that denomination. At the time he came to Buckhannon, 
ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church preached, at stated intervals, about 
ten miles distant near the present Reger Church, in the home of John Reger, 
great grandfather of Dr. R. A. Reger. At first he stoutly antagonized these 
itinerants and their doctrine. After awhile, however, he approved and accepted 
the faith which he formerly tried so hard to destroy. Soon thereafter he and 
his wife identified themselves with the Methodist Episcopal Church and he was 
constituted a licensed exhorter and a class leader for more than fifty years. The 
slaves then in his possession were granted their freedom, some of whom, however, 
preferred to remain with their "Old Master," faithfully serving him to the end 
of his life. 

One of the number, Sampson, became a missionary to his own race in Liberia, 
Africa. Henceforth that Carper home was a home and resting place for the 
traveling preachers. Here also were held class and prayer meetings and regular 
preaching service, until about the year 1820, when a log "Meeting house" was built 
on a site on the upper side, and a little west of the corner of Kanawha street and 
College avenue, known as the "Carper Church." Here it remained until 1850, 
when it was removed near Depot street and used as a work shop, but was 
soon destroyed by fire. In December, 1823, his devoted wife, Permelia, died and 
he deeply lamented her. 

During the last thirty years of his life he was afflicted with Ptosis or paralysis 
of the upper eye-lids. In order that he might see an object he was necessitated 
to lift and keep lifted that palsied member. The pilgrimage of this old Patriarch 
was ended June .17, 1850, in the ninety-first year of his age. His twelve children 
were : ist : Joseph 1789-1867, married Jane Harper, to whom were born Homer M. 
and Elizabeth A. 2d; Abram, 1791-1880, married Margaret Steward, their 
children were : Patsy. Burgess and Nehemiah. 3d ; George, 1793-1882, married 
Rachel White, their children were: Isaac W., Asa, Daniel J. G. Columbus, Min- 
erva, Sarah, Abram, Permelia and Virginia. 4th; Adam, 1705-1883, married 
Jeminia Currence, whose children were : Joseph, William C, Benjamin. Emily, 
Jane and Mary. 5th: Elizabeth, 1797-1880, married Nathan Davisson, to whom 
were born: Melville. Austin, Benjamin, Debby Ann, Olive Milly, Virginia, Carry, 
Harriet, Sarah. Jenette and Martha. 6th; Permelia, 1799-1850, married Elmore 
Hart, and their children were: Caroline, Ira and Elizabeth. 7th; Sarah. 1801- 
1886, married William, brother of Nathan Davisson. 8th; Jacob, 1806-1819. 
loth. ; Benjamin, 1813-1835. nth and 12th; Asa and Isaac, died in childhood. 

9th; Daniel, 1808-1897. being the last to remain at home, came in possession of 
the old homestead and assumed the care and support of his aged father. On 
August 21, 1845. Daniel married Sarah Jane, daughter of Colonel Asa Squires, 
of Salt Lick Bridge, Braxton County. 



406 FAMILY HISTORY 

The home life in the old domicile, notwithstanding the addition of such a 
member to the family, was continued much as heretofore only, possibly, with more 
efficient management, broader and more beneficient hospitality. It became a 
noted social and religious centre not only for the large Carper family and friends, 
but also for preachers and their families, as also for the meeting-going people in 
general. Little children were delighted to visit "Uncle Daniel and Aunt Jane." 

In the year 1848, he built a frame house on the spot where now stands the 
beautiful brick residence owned and occupied by S. C. Rusmisel, M. D., distant 
about 400 yards west of the old log dwelling. It was in this house where "Father 
Carper" died. He was buried by the side of his beloved Permelia, about 200 
yards southeast of the home. The monument to his memory remains there unto 
this day. 

It was also in this building where all the children of Daniel were born, save 
the eldest, who was born in the old log house. The names of his children are : 
Abram, (1847) married Ella Bassel ; Benjamin F., (1849) married Amelia 
Hutton; Clara Childs and Catherine Coogle. Luther E., 1851-1858; Wilbur F. 
(1853); A. Harnis, (1856); Sara, (1859). In December 1875 his wife Jane 
took to foster a little motherless child of nine days old. daughter of their son 
Benjamin. This grandchild, Minnie Florence, remained in the family until Sep- 
tember, 1898, when she was married to G. F. Aldrich. They now live in Texas, 
and their children are : Justin F. and Olin G. 

In 1865, Daniel Carper moved in a southwestern direction to Radcliffe Run, 
one anda quarter miles away, remaining there four years, then moving to a farm 
on a part of which now stands, what is known as North Buckhannon. He was 
a man of excellent business qualifications, and was successful in all his business 
pursuits. He delighted in reading the Bible and was familiar with Scripture 
characters. A liberal supporter of all Church enterprises, and generous towards 
his relatives and his needy neighbors. A good man, a lover of good men, sober, 
just, temperate. A few years prior to his death, he transferred his land estate 
and committed himself and wife to their son, Wilbur Fisk, for sustenance and 
protection for the remainder of their lives. That reposed trust in that son has not 
been betrayed. In 1889, Wilbur took his parents, sister and niece to live on a farm 
at the mouth of Turkey Run. It was from this place on September 17, 1897, 
his father departed this life, lacking twelve days of being ninety years old. After 
ten years of residence at Turkey Run. he moved to Buckhannon, but farming on 
Peck's Run. At this date (1906) his mother is the only surviving member of 
both the Carper and Squires families of that generation. Although she is now 
84 years old, the same amiable hospitable and pious demeanor, which characterized 
her in her earlier days, is manifest in these declining days of her useful and 
beautiful life. For two successive years she has won a premium on a silk shawl 
made by herself, about two years ago. Her daughter, Sara, was married Septem- 
ber 5. 1889, by Rev. N. H. Prince, to Rev. S. D. Tamblyn, who. two years prior 
was pastor of the family. The Tamblyn children are Grace and Wesley Carper. 

CATHERINE (HEAVNER) CARPER, wife of D. J. Carper, daughter 
of Elias and Elizabeth (Hyer) Heavner. Born in the house, situated on the hill, 
now the site of the Heavner Cemetery. Her father was the youngest son 
of Nicholas and Mary (Props) Heavner of Greenbrier County, who emigrated 
to the Buckhannon Valley in 1800. The Heavners are of German descent. Her 
father's children were: Benjamin T. S., M. -H., Mordecai,' Jacob W., Clark W. 
and H. L. Elias Heavner built the hotel known as the Valley House in 1868. 



FAMILY HISTORY 407 

Married Daniel J. Carper, son of George and Rachel (White) Carper, Feb- 
ruary 23, 1865. Husband was in the Civil War, enlisted with the U. S. Govern- 
ment under Col. R. E. McCook, in June 1861, at Philippi, W. Va., first as a scout 
and despatch bearer, and in March, 1864, enlisted in Company A, First West Vir- 
ginia Cavalry, where he served until July 19, 1865, the date of his mustering out 
at Wheeling, W. Va. Is a pensioner of the U. S. 

Children : Minnie E., wife of the late P. V. Phillips, son of Walter Phillips 
and a Doctor of Medicine and the second wife of Dr. C. E. White. 

WILLIAM C. CARPER. A once active and successful, but now retired, 
lawyer of Buckhonnon. Born on Turkey Run, Lewis County ; in 1826, the third 
of six children, born to Adam and Jemima (Currence) Carper, natives of the 
Old Dominion. His grandfather, Abraham Carper, was a native of Pa. and 
moved to the South Branch in Virginia when he was about twenty-one years old 
and there married Miss Harness, after which time they moved to Upshur County, 
in 1800, and settled above the town of Buckhannon, nearby where Dr. Rusmisel 
now lives. His maternal grandfather, William Currence, was born in Randolph 
County, Va., and his father was born in Ireland and was one of the early 
emigrants to this country, settling in Virginia. He was shot from his horse in 
Randolph County, Virginia, by the Indians in 1770, he also bore the name of 
William. Paul Carper, the father of Abraham was a quarter master in the 
Revolutionary Army. Adam Carper the father of this sketch was a farmer of 
Lewis County, all his life. William C. Carper was educated in the Clarksburg 
Academy and the Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa., after which he studied law 
imder Judge Brockenbrough and in 1854, was admitted to the Bar. He at once 
entered upon the practice of his profession in Buckhannon. and in 1870. was 
elected to the Senate of West Virginia, and while a member of that body was 
chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and on account of his previous experience in 
legislation as a member of the General Assembly of Virginia, in 1855 and 1856, 
acquitted himself with great credit. In 1856 he married Miss Mary Martha Hut- 
ton, a native of Randolph County, Virginia, she died in 1862. In 1863, he mar- 
ried Mrs. Martha Bassell White of Harrison County. West Virginia, and to this 
union three children have been born ; William B., Adam and Alvin B. 

Mr. Carper is one of the scholarly and cultured professional men of Buck- 
hannon. Is widely read, was an eloquent and forcible pleader at the Bar, has a 
mind pregnant with facts and incidents and relationships of all the first families 
living in the county and is kind and considerate in his home. 

His life has been well spent in the acquisition of that fund of knowledge, which 
now makes his retirement quiet, instructive and enjoyable. 

He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 

EDGAR P. CARPENTER, a farmer of Washington District, his home is on 
the hill above the postofifice of Hemlock. His nativity is Barbour County. The 
date of his birth is fixed as June 4, 1870. His parents were Daniel and Almira 
(Weaver) Carpenter. His grandparents were Coonrod and Elizabeth (Harper) 
Carpenter. His paternal ancestors settled in Upshur County, near Hemlock, in 
1875, and raised the following family there: Polly, dead; Minerva, dead; Lucy, 
Eli, E. P., Martha, Adeline Virginia Rachel, Ira, dead; and Ida, twins; Cynda, 
Benjamin. 

Mr. Carpenter owns a farm of 281 acres, which is given to the growing of 
nutritious grasses and nourishing cereals for the raising of live stock. 

Mr. Carpenter married Susan Zickefoose, a daughter of Sampson and 
Marietta (Queen) Zickerfoose. 



408 FAMILY HISTORY 

Children: Jonas, born September 7, 1891, dead; Simon W., born September 
25, 1892 ; Jessie H., born May 4, 1896 ; Stella M., bom September 3, 1899 ; and 
Worthy, born December 8, 1902, dead. 

He is a representative citizen, belongs to the I. O. O. F., and the Republican 
party. 

AMOS F. CARR, a farmer of Union District, lives two miles east of Buck- 
hannon. Son of James Madison and Elizabeth (Cost) Carr, natives of Loudin 
County, Virginia. Born in 1840 and moved with his parents to Harrison County 
in 1848, was a soldier in the war between the states and enlisted on the 4th day of 
July, 1862, in Company E, 3d West Virginia Cavalry, and served therein until 
the war closed. Was with General Averill in all of his raids, was flag bearer for 
his squadron for two years, was slightly injured several times and seriously in- 
jured the 3d day prior to Lee's surrender and would have been killed had it not 
been for a day-book and testament in his pocket, the latter of which his mother 
gave him. These prevented the ball from entering his body deep enough to 
seriously wound him. From this injuury he rallied sufficiently in a few hours to 
be with his regiment at the time of the surrender. His regiment was a part of 
the body guard of General Grant at the time that Lee and Grant signed the terms 
of surrender. 

He was discharged with his company at Wheeling July 30, 1865, returned 
home and there on January 6, 1868, married Harriet V. Stone of Loudin County, 
Virginia. 

To this union have been born seven children : John W. M., Edna R., .-Mbert 
O., Charles W., Susan E., Daisey (dead) and Mattie B. 

His father was a son of James and Mary (Brown) Carr. The Carrs are 
of Irish descent. His mother was the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Grows) 
Cost of German descent. 

His wife was the daughter of John Stone of German descent. 

Mr. Carr is a leading Republican, farmer and gardener of Upshur County. 
He is a member of the New School Baptist Church. 

WILLI.^M H. C.\TELL, more often known as Kittle, born in 1858, in 
Barbour County, on June 18,. The son of Smith Catell or Kittle, who was the 
son of William C. Catell. He has been twice married, his first wife was .\llie 
Lantz, the daughter of Isaac Lantz and Lettie Montgomery, the daughter of 
Moses Hornbeck and Betsy Montgomery, a widow. 

Mr. Catell has thirty-two acres of land on the headwaters of Little Sand 
Run. He is a farmer, a stone mason, a carpenter and coal miner. His second 
wife was Miss Emma Ryan, the daughter of Wm. and Nancy Ann (MostiHer) 
Ryan. Children by first wife: Madison, Elijah W., Nola, James Alfred, William 
Gofif. By second wife : Edward. 

He is a Methodist in Religion and a Republican in politics. 

GEORGE HENRY CLARK, born December 16, 1832, in Fall River, Mass. 
Moved to a farm near Sago, 1839, and lived there with his parents twelve years, 
when he came to Buckhannon and served an apprenticeship as saddler under 
John L. Smith. He set up for himself in 1859. and has been making saddles 
and harness ever since. His parents were George and EHen E. (Barnaby) 
Clark. Their children were: George H., the subject of this sketch ; Ellen E., wife 
of John L. Smith, Adeline E., wife of Elonzo Bunten, and A. Shutterly and Albert 
Smith, and A. B. 

He married Susan E. Woods and to them were born, Joseph S., Nellie, Isora 
and Margaret, now all dead. 



FAMILY HISTORY 409 

THOMAS E. CLARK, was the only son of Isaac Worth Clark. He married 
Martha A- Romine, a daughter of Levi and Jemima (Dennison) Romine, of Vir- 
ginia, and to whom were born Arnett R., Lectie, Ophie H. and Latie. 

Mr. Clark was a soldier in Company M, Third West Virginia Cavalry under 
Captain J. W. Heavner. During his service in the army his eye sight was affected 
materially by powder, from which he never recovered fully. For many years 
after the war his monthly stipend from the government was seventy-two 
dollars, which was reduced to thirty dollars upon examination by an expert sent 
out by the government to examine and treat his eyes. 

MOSES KINCAID COLERIDER, is a farmer of Meade District, born, 
April 25, 1866, the son of William L. Colerider and Cebra Kincaid, the daughter 
of Moses Kincaid of Monongalia. Is the grandson of Henry Colerider of Mon- 
ongalia. His grandmother was Winnie Love, the sister of the mother of M. J. 
Jackson. His father was a soldier in Company E., ist West Virginia Light 
Artillery, served throughout the war, returned home and lived to February 14, 
1891. His children bv his second wife were: Rebecca K., wife of I. G. Waldo; 
Wm. A., Clark, Mollie, Guy, Belle, Frank and Moses K. 

Wm. L. Colerider's first wife was Cassie Ann McWhorter and their children 
were: Henry Colerider, John Colerider, Amy J., widow of A. J. Hosaflook and 
Ellen, wife of Stewart Hyre. 

M. K. married Lilly J. Hanmer, the daughter of Edward Bruce Hamner, and 
Martha E. Thomas, the daughter of John S. Thomas and Eliza White, on April 
10, 1888, and their children are Myrna, born January 31, 1890, Cornelia, born 
September 16, 1893. 

Mr. Colerider has always taken a lively interest in politics, his political affilia- 
tions being Republican. 

WILLIAM PERRY CORE. The traditional account of John Core, the 
great, great grandfather of the subject, is that he was killed at the Doll's Run 
slaughter by the Indians, in Clay District, Monongahalia County, West Virginia, 
about the middle of August 1780. He had a son Christopher, as well as Michael, 
the great grandfather of the subject, to whom was born Christopher, the grand- 
father, who married Hannah, daughter of Rudolph Snider( after whom Doll's 
Run was named), and who settled in Clay District in 1770, near Dunkard Creek, 
about the mouth of Doll's Run, and near where his children lived. To this union 
were born four sons and six daughters. Michael, oldest son, who according to 
the law of those days, heired his father's estate, and who married Tenie 
Shriver, to whom were born six sons and one daughter, Asa, who married Betty 

Myers; Christie married Katie Barrickman ; Abe married .... Moore; 

Isaac married Amanda Tennant ; William married Dora Rice ; Benjamin married 
Kate Johnson ; Catherine married Abram Brown. 

John married Abbie Inghrin, to whom were born one son and five daughters ; 
Hannah, who married John Johnson ; Mary married Greenberry Barrickman, 
who served as Sheriff of Monongalia County ; Betty Anne married Sanford Fetty ; 
INIartha married James Clark ; Rebecca married Joseph Barrickman ; David Clark 
married Etta Morris ; all of whom lived near the old home place most of their 
lives. 

Moses married Elizabeth Pyles, to whom were born four sons and one 
daughter; Drusilla married Alpheus Henderson; Barton was never married; 
David married Rebecca Layton ; Christopher married Mary Lawlis ; John married 
Violetta Norton. 



410 FAMILY HISTORY 

Elizabeth married Ben Lyming, to whom were born three sons; Margaret 
married Jaks Shriver ; to whom were born three sons ; Catherine, married Wm. 
Pyles, to whom were born one son and three daughters. 

Rebecca married Ben Shriver to whom were born three sons and three daugh- 
ters ; Mary married David Lough, to whom were born four sons and three daugh- 
ters ; Sarah married Washington Tennant, to whom were born two sons and two 
daughters ; 

Barton Core, father of the subject, married Nancy Fleming Dec. 23, 1841 ; 
and who was a descendant of the old Scottish family of Flemings, whose Great- 
Grandfather, William Fleming of Scotch-Irish ancestry, was born in Scotland 
in 1717, removed to the north of Ireland prior to 1741, where, suffering religious 
persecution, he came to Kent County, Deleware, that year, and settled in Penn's 
Colony, on the Deleware, with his brothers, Robert and Archibald, taking up 
lands in Mispillion Hundred, Del. 

But in 1789, John, their brother, with three of William's sons, Nathan, Great- 
Grandfather of the subject, Boaz, and Benoni, removed to western Virginia, and 
settled on lands along the Monongahela River, at Fairmont, and elsewhere. 
William Fleming was twice married, first to Jean Frame, and after her death 
to Ann Hudson. By his first marriage he had seven children, and to his second 
imion was born one son. Of children of the first marriage, Mary married Mat- 
thew Fleming; Andrew, no record; Nathan, Great-Grandfather, married Lydia 
Russom ; William, died unmarried ; Boaz married Elizabeth Hutchinson, and 
after her death married Eliza Laidley ; Beniah married Elizabeth Turner ; Benoni 
married Mary Stephenson. 

Of the second marriage, Thomas married Ann Wood ; 

Of the children of Nathan Fleming, Mary married Alexander, son of ]\Iat- 
thew Fleming; William married Ann, daughter of Matthew Fleming; Rachel 
married Joshua Hart; Elizabeth married Henry Hayes; Jane married Andrew, 
son of Matthew Fleming; Lydia married Matthew, son of Matthew Fleming; 
Nathan married Mary Wood; Levcn, grandfather of subject, married I\Iary Wil- 
ley; Thomas married Ann Martin, and after her death married Mary Lothan; 
Beniah, drowned in 1813: Joseph married Sarah, daughter of Boaz Fleming; 
and Archibald married Eliza Gamble. 

To Leven Fleming and wife were born three sons and four daughters ; Wait- 
man married Nancy Lough; William W., married Sarah Neely ; Elizabeth, mar- 
ried John Lawlis^; Lydia, married William Clayton; Nancy, mother of subject, 
born October 7, 1821, at Cassville, W. Va., married Barton Core; Mary, married 
Jas. Miller ; and John T. married Willimpe Smyth. 

To Barton and Nancy Core were born five sons and six daughters. Martha, 
who married O. P. Wade; Mary Willey, who married J. S. Lough; Hannah, 
who married Corbin M. Alexander ; Moses Leven, who married IMartha S. Smith ; 
Christopher Columbus, who married Ella SchuHs ; William Perry, subject, mar- 
ried Sarah Smith, daughter of John Smith, who lived near Jollytown, Pa., and 
who is a sister of Martha Smith Core; Salina Jane, died October 30, 1856; 
Rebecca Arvelley. who married Wm. A. Loar, died Februray 8, 1900; Lydia 
Elmira. who married Calvin Cordray; Lewis A., who married Mary Kennedy; 
Charles Elliott, who married Laura V. Price. 

All the brothers and brothers-in-law are, or have been farmers, except Lewis 
who is a Missionary of the M. E. Church, Presiding Elder of the Moradobad 
District, India. William P. Core, subject, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, as is also his wife and mother, and all his brothers and sisters, except 



FAMILY HISTORY 411 

Mrs. Alexander, who is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. Wade, who is 
a member of the Presbyterian Church. His father. Barton Core, was a member 
of the Zoar Baptist Church until his death, September 29, 1905. 

W. P. Core was born September 17, 1853, in Monongalia County, and his 
wife, Sarah Smith Core, was born March 27, 1853, i" Greene County, Pa. She 
was the daughter of John Smith and Eliza M. Fordyce, the daughter of Corbly 
Fordyce and Jane Bailey of Whitely, Pa. They moved from Monongalia to Har- 
rison County in 1891, where they settled on a farm and raised stock. They came 
to Upshur County and settled in Buckhannon in 1901. 

Their children are : Edison Barton, a farmer of Harrison, born November 4, 
1876, in Monongalia County, married August 26, 1897 to May Lanham, daughter 
of Cephus Lanham of Taylor County, and their children are: Merle Smith, born 
March 27, 1899 ; Velma Loieta, born September 24, 1903 ; Wm. Perry, Jr., born 
December 6; John Eskey F., born February 13, 1881, married Erma Ash- 
craft, daughter of Joseph Ashcraft of Harrison County, and is a farmer ; Emmer 
Fleming, born January 24, 1887 ; married Edna Levings, daughter of Reuben R. 
Levings of Delaware, Ohio, he is a graduate of West Virginia Conference Semi- 
nary, Class of 1905. Lives in Columbus, Ohio, is an optician with White Haines 
Optical Company of Columbus, Ohio. 

MRS. J. F. COURTNEY, born in Farquier County, Va., May 18, 1853. Is 
a daughter of John and Mary Courtney. She came to Upshur County in 1886. 
Was married to John I. Courtney, now deceased, son of Jack and Anna (Butler) 
Courtney of Rappahannock County, Va. 

Children : Robert Lee, Bessie Ellen, Albert James, Ruth McGee, Grover 
Henry and Mvrle Lena, twins. 

JOHN W. COURTNEY, butcher for 33 years. Born in Ohio County, W. 
Va., October 5, 1868. Son of John T. and Mary F. (Clatterback) Courtney. 
His father, native of Fayette County, his mother a native of Ohio, emigrated here 
1874. On May i, 1877, John W. married Mary L. Gibson, daughter of Thomas 
S. and Margaret (Archer) Gibson. 

Children : Homus Annie, born December 2, 1888 ; Hattie Roscoe, born Sep- 
tember 10, 1890; William Goff, born February 22, 1892; Myrtle Dove, born 
October 18, 1893; Mary Marie, born October 20, 1895; Vernie Gay, born July 
29, 1898; Vergie May, born July 29 1898; John Wm. Richard, born September 2, 
1902. 

ELIZABETH SUSAN COURTNEY, born March 20, 1864. Married Gor- 
don E. Courtney, a tanner in William Flaccus Oak and Leather Tannery at 
Buckhannon, December 12, 1882. 

Children ; Birdie Maud, Willie Ellsworth, Oswell Douglas, Silvia May, Annie 
Laurie, Maggie Glenn, Harry Ravmond and Edna Pearle. 

EDGAR LAMAR COBUR'N, a native of Barbour County, light first shone 
upon him 1847, his parents were James Coburn and Ann Mariah White, natives 
of Harrison County, and his grandfather was Jonathan Coburn, Sr., who was 
a German. One generation removed from Pennsylvania emigrant of the i8th 
century. 

The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm attended school during 
winter months, and at the age of eighteen began a career of teaching which lasted 
for seven years, his first school was taught on Truby's Run, Upshur County, his 
other schools were taught in Barbour County, on No. i certificate. For six or 
eight years after leaving the school room his energy was applied to farming and 
he quit this occupation to enter the mercantile business at Peel Tree, where he 



412 FAMILY HISTORY 

lived four years. In 1882 he moved to French Creek, Upshur County, where he 
farmed. In 1884, he was elected assessor of personal property of the 2d district 
of Upshur County. In 1889, he moved to Buckhannon and was appointed in the 
same year, assessor of the real estate for Upshur County by his Excellency, 
Governor G. W. Atkinson. In the fall of 1869, he took for a wife Miss Emma 
Young, daughter of William Young, and their children are : Clara Edna, wife of 
F. H. Knabenshue; Grace, wife of F. E. Brooks; Nellie R., wife of A. B. Brooks; 
Cecil L. ; Houston B., and Fern. 

ISAAC R. COCHRAN, of Lost Creek, W. Va., is the son of Solomon Coch- 
ran and Elizabeth McNiel of Pocohontas County. Hs is of Irish descent, during 
the war he was a private soldier in the io8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was 
captured at the battle of Chicamauga and afterwards released in exchange for 
a southern soldier. In October 1865 he married Nancy J. Corell of Green- 
brier County, and soon after settled in Harrison County. 

Children: Henrv H., married Ellen McNiel; John R., married Ellen Conley; 
Sarah E., H. B., Maud, Golf. 

JAMES WILLIAM CONLEY, son of Benjamin Conley, whose grandfather 
was James Conley of Ireland. His father's first wife was a Miss Dix and their 
children were: Virginia, wife of Enoch Westfall ; Annie, wife of William Rohr- 
bough; Rachel, wife of Granville Post; Eliza, wife of David Teets, and J. C, 
who married Columbia Loudin. His fathers' second wife was Lydia Westfall, 
daughter of George Westfall and their children were: Verna, wife of Daniel M. 
Teets ; Florence and J. W., the subject of this sketch. 

He is a farmer and stock dealer of Warren District and has been school com- 
missioner of that district. 

WALTER BOLTON CONAWAY, born March 4, 1878, son of Dr. J. B. 
Conaway and Elizabeth Amos and grandson of John Conaway of Marion County, 
whose father came direct from Ireland. He was raised at Bristol, W. Va., his 
father being a graduate of Jefiferson Medical College and a practitioner since i860, 
he began the study of dentistry under Dr. M. T. Hall of Parkersburg, after which 
apprenticeship he took a course in the Western University of Pennsylvania at 
Pittsburg, graduating therefrom April 30, 1902. He immediately came to Buck- 
hannon and associated himself with Dr. L. H. Lindsey whose assistant he has been 
since August 12, 1902. He married Stella V. Holden, daughter of M. J. Holden, 
a merchant of Bristol. December 25. 1902. Child : Lillian Irene, born October 
1903. 

JAMES D. COPLIN, a lumberman of Pickens, Randolph County. Has 
been in Upshur and Randolph Counties since 1891, when he came from Wood 
County, the seat of his parental roof and went to work for A. G. Giffin. After 
working several years for him and learning the lumber business from Alpha to 
Omega, he embarked into the same business for himself and has been pursuing 
it with but one intermission ever since. 

Mr. Coplin's genealogy is : Father, Andrew Coplin ; grandfather, David Cop- 
lin. His mother was Martha Cowell and his grandmother was a Miss Corbett. 
He is the third son of his father's family, was raised on a farm, educated in the 
common schools of Wood County, and years after his advent to Upshur County, 
married Rosa B. Zumbauch of Randolph County, and their children are: Martha 
Anna, James, Jr., Dallas, Willa Franklin, Hilda May and Hilbert, dead. 

Mr. Coplin resides at Pickens and his politics are Democratic. 

FRANCES VIRGINIA COYNER, bom October 4, 1906, the daughter of 
Eric Christian Coyner, son of A. T. Coyner and Sarah Pence. Eric C, is a 



FAMILY HISTORY 413 

grandson of David E., son of Christian, son of Michael, the first Coyner to settle 
in America in 1740. In that part of Pennsylvania included in Augusta County, 
Va. Michael Coyner's wife was Margaret Diller of Pennsylvania, and his birth 
is dated 1720. Michael was son of Conrad, son of Jacob, Jr., son of Michael, Sr., 
son of Jacob, Sr., of Germany, the first Coyner known in history. This gives a 
lineal descent for ten generations back. 

Christian Coyner and his wife Jane (Ervin) Coyner, moved from Augusta 
County, \'a., to Upshur in 1846. He died November 25, 1857, their children 
were: Joseph, Nancy E., Jacob, Margaret, Catherine, Elizabeth, Annie, Michael, 
Robert, David E., Mary B., and Jane L. 

David E., born June 6, 1818, in Augusta County, Va., with his wife, whose 
maiden name was Mariah F. Long of Virginia, came and settled in Upshur, at 
the same time his father did. 1876 he moved with his family to Tennessee 
where he died, April 11, 1872. His widow returned to Upshur with her family, 
where she died March 21, 1890. 

Children: A. T. Coyner, whose children are Eric C, Russell David, and 
Henry Augustus, David F., married Bettie Lee Stephens, daughter of Richard 
Stephens of Virginia and their children are Mary M., born November 8, 1895 ; 
Martha Virginia, born January 23, 1897, and Mark E., born June 22, 1900. 

David F., is a farmer and live stockman. 

The second living child of David E., is Frances Elizabeth, widow of Dr. J. R. 
Blair. 

A. T. and David F., have been draymen for the U. S. Express Company and 
mail carriers of the R. R. for twenty-five years in Buckhannon. Eric Christian 
married Martha Jenette Tallman, dajjghter of Richard Tallman and Virginia 
Totten, December 26, 1905. The Coyners are all Democrats. 

A TRIBUTE. 

Written, after receiving a circular, showing the formation of "The Michael 
Koiner Memorial Association," in Augusta County, Virginia, by Luther, the 
Seventh child of Addison, the Ninth child of Martin, the ninth child of Michael 
Koiner, the American Progenitor, JNIay 10, 1892. Inscribed to his one thousand 
or more cousins in America. 

1720 

Near the flow of the Danube river, not far from the noble Rhine, 
Where the golden harvests quiver, came a son of a Koiner line. 

Under the sun and the sk}', he frolicked in harmless play. 

Under a watchful eye, the boy grew day by day. 

1725 

There too, was a noble mother, gentle, kind and sweet, 
There a sister and a brother, in that grand old country seat; 

In that far ofif German land, lived this earnest country boy. 

Guided by a father's hand, his hope, his pride, his joy. 



414 FAMILY HISTORY 

1730 

This boy grew up a healthy lad, in this far off German land, 

Sought the good and shunned the bad, true in heart and strong in hand, 

Listening to his father state, of a land beyond the sea, 

There he'd go and cast his fate, in that country grand and free. 

1740 

At last he grew to manhoods' age, sturdy, strong and full of life. 
Bought a ship the sea to rage, daring danger, facing strife. 

He left his darling mother, his country and his home. 

His sister and his brother, in America to roam. 



1745 

From Wurtenburg our hero came, and settled in the land of Penn, 
And America had no grander name, no greater had since then ; 

His ship then sunk into the sea, his fortune scattered far and wide. 
Yet Providence had made him free, and strong to weather every tide. 

1750 

At Millerstown he cleared the ground, and built a happy home, 
At New Hollond, it is said, he found the mate that capped his married dome, 
Children blessed this noble pair, the daughters three, the sons were ten. 
The daughters grew to women fair, the sons all brave and gallant men. 



Then came a sound of war, from far across the sea. 

The mother country claimed, the right, to put a tax on tea ; 

And in this land of Penn, were the sons of Michael K. 

With noble blood within their veins, were ready for the fray. 



1775 

The bugle sounded, "Men to horse," was the cry o'er all the land. 
And the sons of Michael K., went out to join that gallant band ; 

They followed the noble Washington, and shared a soldier's fate. 
And Margaret Koiner's sons came home, of battles to relate. 



1780 

There was Adam, Conrad, Michael, sons of worthy sire. 
Fought for freedom and for honor, not for glory or for hire ; 

And when the smile of Providence, brought peace upon the land. 

The soldiers of the Koiner name, retired to till the land. 



FAMILY HISTORY 4] 

1785 

Then came another, the sound to them, from Virginia's Mountain land. 

That caused a great commotion, among this Koiner band ; 

This land was cheap and fertile, had water cold and clear. 
They could move into this promised land, and never feel a fear. 

1790 

The first that moved was Casper, then Adam followed too, 

Then Martin, Philip, Frederic, and Michael so must do; 

Then Christian, John and Jacob, from the land of Penn did roam. 
And only Conrad there remained, to keep the Penn-land home. 

1795 

Also with his noble band of sturdy sons there came 

The father of them all, so great, the first one of the name ; 

It was seventeen hundred and eighty-seven, he came into the state, 
.A.nd bought a home in Virginia, and with her cast his fate. 

1800 

He lived and died in Augusta, and lies beneath her sod, 
A noble, peaceful citizen, his spirit with His God : 

He had lived an honest, useful life, more than three score years and ten. 

He was loved by all his neighbors, and honored by all men. 

1805 

To recount all his virtues here, is more than I can do. 

He was friendly to his neighbors, to his State was always true ; 

He was gentle without weakness, brave without being rash. 

Sowed the purest seeds of wisdom, separate from the tares and trash. 

1810 

He loved the "Old Dominion" his last adopted State, 

He loved the name of Washington, so wise, so good, so great; 

He loved America, his home, her hills and mountains grand. 

.\nd these he loved so faithfullv. are loved bv all his band. 



1820 

Some say we know but little of this grand old patriot brave. 
But that he lived in old Augusta, and lies buried in a grave ; 

Stand back; shortsighted stranger, what about this mighty host. 
Scattered over this broad nation, ever ready at their post. 



416 FAMILY HISTORY 



From the great Atlantic ocean, to the smooth Pacific's shore, 
From the Mountains of old Virginia to the Rio Grande's roar; 
On the banks of the Ohio, on the plains of Illinois, 
In sight cf the great Pike's Peak, where the American eaglets poise. 



Take alone dear old Virginia, leaving all the balance out, 
Take alone dear old Augusta, and cast your eyes about ; 

See you not, short-sighted stranger, how this mighty tree has grown? 

Can you not repeat with me then, "By our fruits we all are known"? 

1850 

We know that Michael K., was brave, because his sons were so, 
"We know that Michaels sons were brave, because they faced the foe. 
We know that Michaels grandsons were brave as they were true. 
For they shed their blood for freedom, and laid their lives down too. 



i860 

We know that Margaret K., was good, because her daughters were. 
This rule has come straight down to us, and shines out bright and clear; 
No better soldiers ever drew, a sword in any strife, 
No better citizens can be found within our civil life. 



1865 

They followed the noble Washington and share his glory now, 
In the war of eighteen hundred and twelve, they gladly left the plow ; 
They followed Lee and Jackson, all honor to their name. 
And history will record this fact, to their glory and their fame. 

1870 

A hundred Koiners live today, a hundred come and go, 
A hundred till this great old earth, and wander to and fro ; 

A hundred Koiners join the son, for peace in this broad land. 

From the mountains in X'iroinia, to the river Rio Grande. 

1872 

Their lives o'er all this glorious land arc happy bright and free. 

Their hearts are full of music now, o'er valley, hill and lea ; 

In this land of love and chivalry, no matter where or when. 
They are first in peace and war, among the sons of men. 



FAMILY HISTORV 417 

1873 

With gentle hearts in time of peace, in war they're steady, strong. 
And though they're first in charity, they'll frown upon a wrong; 

There are many men in time of peace, who are silent as the grave, 

But insult their home or country, they are gallant, strong and brave. 

1874 

It you don't think a Koiner'll fight, first put him in the van, 
In one company in the Civil War, there were ten Koiners to the man ; 
And not a single one of them, biit shed his noble blood, 
Which flowed out for his country, in that awful civil flood. 

1875 

There were Koiners followed Ashby, there were those who followed Lee, 
There were those who followed Jackson, in the struggle to be. free; 

There are men who dare to blame them for what they thought was right, 
There are men who call them traitors, for their duty in this fight. 

1876 

If Washington was a traitor, in his effort to be free, 

So, too, was Stonewall Jackson, so was the immortal Lee ; 

So was Sir William Wallace, who for Scotland, lost his life, 
So was William Tell a traitor, fighting for his home and wife. 

1877 

No, they'll never be called traitors, by those who love the right, 
By those who love true charity, or view with reason's sight ; 

Or so long as Virginia's mountains, o'er their graves their vigils keep, 
And her noble Shenandoah rushes down the mountains steep. 

1878 

Where's the father who fought with Jackson? where's the son who fought with 

Lee? 
Where's the mother who prayed for liberty ? or the sister to be free ? 

Where are husbands, wives, and daughters? who served their native State? 

Where are lover, friends and sweethearts, parted by the garden gate? 

1879 

Some have passed beyond the river, and "sleep beneath the trees," 
Some are nearing now the border, gently wafted by the breeze; 
Some are only waiting, watching, for the bugle on the shore. 
To be called to meet their captain, and to join that happy corps. 



418 FAMILY HISTORY 



It has been said that it would take a hundred years or more, 
For any man to become great, in song and ston^ lore ; 

But in the case of Michael K., though great his memory now. 
His greatness told in everything, in sword, in anvil, plow. 



1881 

Of this father of this goodly race, many stories are told. 
They the told in acts of chivalry, and written in letters of gold; 
They are living, walking stories, shown in every noble son, 
Some of these will soon be ended, there are some that's just begun. 



The mother of this sturdy band, still moves a shining lighe. 
Her daughters living come and go, the stars ne'er shone more bright ; 
As mothers they tell the story, as wives, are gentle true. 
They never fail at duty's call, or liberty to imbue. 

1883 

The same God of Michael Koiner blesses his descendants here. 
The same sun upon their harvests shines down from year to year; 
The stars of heaven twinkle on, at night, the same old moon, 
The seasons come and go, as then, the blessings just as soon. 



We'll sing a song to Michael K., and to his noble wife, 

She loved him for himself alone, and followed him through life ; 

Here let him rest where now he lies, here, too, his worthy dame, 
But in honor to them raise a stone, to signify their fame. 

1886 

Then to this brave old pioneer, a monument we'll raise. 

Who calmly sleeps beneath the sod, in token of our praise ; 
For nearly one hundred years, he'd rested here in peace 
And though his body's in the earth, his memory ne'er shall cease. 

1887 

And here beside him rests his wife, as good and fully great. 
She loved him too, while living, and dying shares his fate ; 

The dew of many, many years, have wet the graves o'er head : 
Though cold and silent they lie here, yet their memory's not dead. 



FAMILY HISTORY 419 



An hundred coming after him, have honored loved his name, 
An hundred more to come will do and say the very same; 
They read the same old bible, this Kioner read, 
They led the same true honest lives, this pioneer led. 



So hundreds that will come and go, from o'er this wide, wide land, 
Will tell to children on their knees of Michael Koiner's band; 
Of how the children of this side, with single intent moved, 
Erected here a monument, to one they honored, loved. 

1890 

How from the Gulf of Mexico, from the Atlantic ocean's roar, 
From the Rocky Mountains high, from the Pacific's placid shore. 
From the plains of Illinois, from the river Rio Grande, 
Come this mighty race of people, from over all this wide, wide land. 

1891 

Come to show their honor for him, come to look upon his grave, 
Come to raise a stone above him, come to show that they were brave ; 

Come to see a patriarch's tomb, help to carve his deathless name ; 

Come to raise a monument, to show his never dying fame. 



We'll sing of these when far away, if e'er we chance to roam, 

We'll sing of these to children, around each happy home ; 

We'll tell of these many virtues, we'll tell too, of their fame, 
And how we erected a monument, in honor of their name. 

JOSEPH CRAWFORD, born May 24, 1829, in Rockingham County, Virgi- 
nia, moved to Lewis County in 1847. 

November 4, 1852, he married Lydia Margaret Eagle, the daughter of 
George Eagle of Highland County, Va., she was born March i, 1832, and imme- 
diately they returned to Lewis County to make that their future home. Children: 
George Robert, born June 2, 1852; Bertie, bom June 2, 1854, dead; John Bickes, 
born April 13, 1855; Hazel Wyant, born April 9, 1857; Henry Harrison, bom 
February 16, 1859; Joseph Wilbur, boni December 2, 1866; Mary Anetta, bom 
November 4, 1862; Suanna Susan, born October 8, 1865: Anna Viola, bom 
December 17, 1867; Minnie Bell, born September 5, 1872; Alvin Willie, born 
March 13, 1876; Rosa Alice, born May 2. 1876, adopted daughter. 

Joseph Crawford was a son of Obediah Crawford and grandson of Zach- 
ariali ar.d the great grandson of IMorton Crawford of Scotch-Irish ancestry. 

He is a farmer and a leading citizen of Banks District. 



420 FAMILY HISTORY 

GEORGE L. CRITES. born December 13, 1847, son of Jacob Crites and 
Mahalia Pringle and the grandson of William Pringle and NeHie (Rollins) 
Pringle, Pringle being a direct descendant of Samuel Pringle. He married Mar- 
garet J. Heavner, December 24, 1868. She was the daughter of Jonathan and 
Margaret J. (Flesher) Hefner, and the granddaughter of Peter Hefner of Ger- 
man descent from Virginia. And their children are William P., Columbus J., 
Henry J., and Edgar I^y. 

At the beginnning of the war, August 1863, he volunteered in Company E. 
of the 4th Regiment of the West Virginia Cavalry, for six months and when that 
time expired he re-enlisted in the ist West Virginia Cavalry and served in that 
Company until the close of the war. and was discharged with his company at 
Wheeling. 

He has been a farmer all his life, owning a large farm on the waters of Glady 
Fork. He retired and gave the farm to his sons. 

COLUMBUS JONATHAN CRITES, a farmer and live stockman of Buck- 
hannon District. His farms containing 220 acres of land, lies on the waters of 
Glady Fork and Stone Coal. He lives in the homestead of the once Hon. A. W. 
C. Lemons. His birth is fixed as the loth day of April, 1871. His parents are 
George L. Crites and Margaret Hefner Crites, his grandparents are Jacob M. 
Crites and Mahala Pringle on his fathers side and Jonathan Hefner on his 
mother's side. He was raised on a farm, loves farming and pursues it with 
success. 

On June 19, 1896, he married Stella McCue. daughter of Franklin and Par- 
thena McCue, and their childrenare : Aubra Cecil, Ernie Lester, Esker Franklin. 

WILLIAM P. CRITES, County Commissioner of Upshur County. 1907- 
191 1, was born September 7, 1869. on Glady Fork of Stone Coal, the son of 
George L. Crites and Margaret Heavner, the grandson of Jacob Crites and the 
great grandson of Michael and Catherine Hyer, both of German descent. His 
mother was the daughter of Johnathan Heavner and Margaret Flesher, who were 
natives of Highland County, Virginia. 

The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and received his education in 
the public school. 

On April 5, 1893, he married Alice M. McCue of Lewis County, the daughter 
of Franklin and Parthens Hudson and the granddaughter of William McCue and 
Frances Stansberry of .Albermarle County, Va. 

Mr. Crites is a farmer, owns a good farm, is a Republican in politics and is 
the father of one child whose name is Dessie. 

JAMES DAVID CRITES, was born at Hinkleville on June 4, 1852, the son 
of Abram Crites and the grandson of Jacob Crites, emigrant direct from Gemany. 
His mother was Wealthy Pringle, the daughter of John Pringle of Sycamore 
Fame. He was one of a family of sixteen children. His brothers and sisters 
being, Asberry, Marietta, wife of A. B. Vincent; Catherine, wife of Clayton P. 
Cutright; Rebecca Ann, wife of A. E. Crites; Martha wife of Gideon Hawkins: 
Jane, wife of Samuel Smallridge ; Harriet, wife of Elzie Nixon ; Peggy, Hanson, 
Homer, Stillman, Joseph, Isaac, John D and Abram. 

He married Virginia Wentz, February 26, 1872. 

Children, Lucy W., Sarah May, Olie E., James B., Jr.. and Charles W. 

His wife's parents were James W. Wentz and Lucy K. Harris, and his wife's 
gfrandfather was John Wentz of Rockbridge County, Va., being a descendant from 
one of the Wentzcs who served seven years in the army for the Independence of 



FAMILY HISTORY 421 

his country. His wife's mother was a daughter of David Harris of Hanover 
County, Va. 

Mr. Crites is a farmer and an ordained minister in the New School Baptist 
Church. 

JAMES L. CRITES, a farmer, was born January 26, 1854. Son of Isaac 
N. G. Crites the grandson of Jacob Crites and the great grandson of Abram 
Crites, who is the son of a German emigrant, by that name. His mother was 
Martha Shackleford of Virginia, his father was a union soldier and a private in 
the loth West Virginia Infantry. 

Married Stella M. Duke and to them was born one child, Vesta L. 

JOSEPH CRITES was born March 23, 1846, is a native of Upshur County, 
Son of Abraham and Wealthy (Pringle) Crites. His mother was the daughter 
of M^illiam Pringle. who was tlie son of Samuel Pringle, who came with his 
brother John to Turkey Run in 1770. He is one of sixteen children, had seven 
sisters and eight brothers, fourteen lived to majority and thirteen lived to marry. 

On the first day of April. 1862. he volunteered in Company B, loth West 
Virginia Volunteer Infantry, U. S. A., under Captain J. L. Gould. His company 
was with General Averill in all of his raids including the notorious Salem raid. 
Was discharged at Richmond July 9, i86s, and mustered out at Wheeling August 
9, 1865. 

In 1869, January i.. he married Harriet A. Brake, daughter of Lemuel and 
Mary (Hyre) Brake and the granddaughter of John Brake. His wife's mother 
was the daughter of Noah Hyre. To this union were bom five children : Infant 
dead: Coleman C, James D., Abraham L.. and Florence. The third and last are 
still alive. 

December 19, 1892, he married for his second wife Sarah E. McKinley, 
daughter of Albert G. and Berlinda (Blake) McKinley and the granddaughter of 
Thomas and Sarah (Stewart) McKinley, she was a descendant of the Stewart 
family of Morgantown. 

PHILLIP CRITES. One of the industrious and energetic young business 
men of Banks District. His birth place was Selbyville. One of the towns 
springing up along the B. & O., after its extension southward from Buckhannon 
to Pickens. This young man being raised on a farm and in a grist mill, availed 
himself of every opportunity for improvement and when the iron horse found its 
way into the dense lumber forests about his home, was ready to accept positions 
of trust. He went into the lumber business and is still in it, always working for 
the good of his employers. 

He is the son of Abraham Crites, Jr., and Rebecca Ann Crites and the grand- 
son of Abraham Crites, Sr., whose wife was Wealthy Pringle, a daughter of Wil- 
liam Pringle. 

His wife was Margaret Lewis, daughter of Abram Lewis. 

JACOB W. CRITES, born March 20, 1839. son of Jacob and Lucinda (Gil- 
lett) Crites and the grandson of Abram and Barbara (Post) Crites. Had twelve 
brothers and sisters as follows: Lucy, wife of John D. Linger: Susan, wife of 
Jacob Clark ; Samantha, wife of Wash Summers ; Abraham ; Milvina, wife of 
Chanie Pringle ; Isaac : Barbara Ann, wife of Christopher T. Cutright ; Elizabeth ; 
Louvernie, wife of Thamer Cutright; Jane, wife of Jacob Hunt: Minerva, wife 
of Coyner Wyatt ; Jemima, wife of Jonathan Gould. 

Married Martha Liggett, daughter of Levi and Rebecca (Reger) Liggett in 
December, 1862. 



422 FAMILY HISTORY 

Children : Hoy Crites, married Virginia Miles ; Nimrod Crites and Hyer D. 
Crites ; Daniel W. Crites. 

Elected Constable in Buckhannon District ; elected first member of Board of 
Education and then made President of the same. 

Owns 50 acres, at Lorentz, of valuable land. Resided in Ohio for some time. 

WILLIAM CLARK CRITES, son of Abram Crites, Jr. A soldier in Com- 
pany A, under Captain Morgan Darnall. His father is now a pensioner. His 
mother was Mary Simmons, daughter of Jonas Simmons. His father being a 
blacksmith, raised his son to pursue the same trade and thus W. C, since his 
birth, December 10, 1855, has spent the most of his life in the shop of his father, 
and in his own shop. He is a Republican in politics and his wife's maiden name 
was Lenora Davis of Barbour County. 

CHARLES W. CROWSER, son of David and Elizabeth, (Sprouse) Crow- 
ser of Lewis County, his father was a confederate soldier, was captured and died 
in Camp Chase and was the father of nine children. Seven of whom are still 
living. 

The subject of this sketch was born June 9, 1863. Married Maud J. Tong 
of Missouri, and to them have been born three children. 

Ray W., Charles R. and Terissa May. 

Mr. Crowser has been more or less engaged in the lumber business for the 
past twenty years. First in the State of Missouri, and since in the state of West 
Virginia. In 1892, he was made foreman of the Holly Lumber Company Mills 
at Pickens, West Virginia. Was afterwards promoted to assistant General Man- 
ager. Came to Buckhannon in 1900, where he has since lived. 

SAMUEL WEBSTER CURRENCE, born October 5. 1871. Son of .\.dam 
M. Currence and Sarah Jane Tenney, daughter of John L. Tenney, soldier in 
Upshur Battery, and son of Jos'ah Tenney and Lydia (Currence) Tenney, 
daughter of William Currence, who built Currence Fort in Randolph County. 

Adam M. Currence was a son of John, who was a son of John, mentioned in 
History of Randolph, as Sheriff of Randolph County. Adam M. was a soldier 
in Company I, 3d West Virginia Cavalry and served throughout the war. Is 
a pensioner and a farmer of Washington District. In the .Adam M. Currence 
family there were five sons and two daughters of which the subject of this sketch 
is the oldest. 

Samuel Webster Currence married on January i, 1895, Lou Nay, daughter 
of Jed and Julia (Jollif) Nay and four children have been given to this union: 
Emerson DeWitt, Troy Mansell, Stewart Blair and Theodore Mason. 

Mr. Currence began teaching in 1887. Is a farmer of Washington District, 
has been Postmaster of Queens for four years and is now Postmaster at Sand Run. 
Was secretary of l>oard of Education for four years and was County Execuive 
Committeeman for six years. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, Lodge No 
248, Middle Fork and was one of the charter members. 

THOMAS C. CUNNINGHAM, was born February 14, 1861. The son of 
Andrew and Rebecca (Fleming) Cunningham. He has three brothers and one 
sister, namely: Samuel W., Charles F., Andrew, and Sarah J. 

Married Maud Bean, daughter of Gabriel Bean. 

Children: James A., Gracie M., Roy L., Troy S., Laura B. 

JOHN McAVOY CURRY, member elect of the Lower House of the West 
Virginia Legislature, was born October 23, 1847. Raised on a farm, owns a farm 
of 350 acres on the waters of the Little Kanawha River, near the postoffice of Kan- 
awha Head. His land is all underlaid with the Freeport Coal vein, which is locally 



FAMILY HISTORY 423 

known as the McKiskic vein. His term of office as legislator expires in 1908. 
He is a Methodist and a Republican. 

On March 8, 1877, he married Sabina (Conrad) Curry, a daughter of Jacob 
P. and Elizabeth M. (Alkire) Conrad, and a granddaughter of John and Eliza- 
beth (Currence) Conrad, who emigrated from Germany to Rockingham County, 
Va., in an early day. and their children are : Gertrude M. Douglas, wife of J. T. 
Douglas of Canaan ; Esker F., educated in the West Virginia Conference Seminary 
and the Mountain State Business College, Parkersburg, W. Va., and married Miss 
Maude Williams of Webster County and has been a merchant of Linwood, Poco- 
hontas County since 1904 ; James L. married Miss Nella Kincaid ; Landona B., 
wife of Robert T. Brooks, a prominent school teacher of Upshur County ; William 
B., married Carrie Morrison of Gaines, W. Va., and entered the mercantile busi- 
ness at Carter in 1906; Charles E., a school teacher, who was educated in public 
and normal schools and taught at Eden, Kanawha Head, Canaan, Kanawha Run 
and in Randolph and Pocahontas Counties, before becoming a merchant at home; 
John D., was educated in the common schools and the Wesleyan College, taught in 
Upshur and Pocahontas Counties, which profession he still follows ; Martha B., 
wife of A. S..McKisic of Kanawha Head. 

The subject of this sketch was a son of James and Sarah (McAvoy) Curry. 

HOWARD ULYSSES CURRY, the son of William H. Curry and Sarah 
Catherine Townsend. born January 27, 1865, and was married November 19, 
1891, to Celia McCoy, the daughter of Chapman McCoy and Marie Douglas, his 
wife was born May 12, 1865. 

He is a farmer and lumberman, belongs to the M. E. Church, has a good 
residence in Centerville and is a good Democrat in politics. 

LLOYD J. CURRY is a merchant at Rock Cave, is a Prohibitionist in 
politics and with his family belong to the M. E. Church. His birth occurred 
July 7, 1856. His parents are: William H., and Catherine (Townsend) Curry. 

On August 29, 1875, he married Elizabeth Sophronia McDowell, the daughter 
of J. A. and Margaret (Donnely) McDowell. And their children are: Mina, 
the wife of Sherman Hileman. whose occupation is that of a machinist and whose 
children are, Dana Hugh and Lauretta ; Loreta, the wife of Ira H. Mearns, a 
merchant of Rock Cave, her death occurred May 30, 1906, and her mother speaks 
of her in the words of the poem. 

"I sometimes dream her pleasant smiles. 

Still on me sweetly fall 
Her tones of love I faintly hear, 

My name in her sadness call. 
I know that she is happy. 

With her robe of heaven on ; 
But my heart is very desolate, 

To know that she is gone." 

ISON RAY CURTIS, born September 14, 1877, in Lewis County, the son 
of Ison Curtis and Catherine E. Jackson, his mother was the daughter of Randolph 
Jackson and Mary D. Linger, who was the daughter of Nicholas D. Linger. 

His father was the son of George W. Curtis and Mary E. Allen. He is the 
great grandson of John Curtis of Rockingham County, Va. 

The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and was educated in the 
public schools of Lewis County. His attention to his studies was so close in his 



424 FAMILY HISTORY 

school days, that on leaving the public schools, he was able to hold a No. i 
teacher's certificate, but not having the desire to teach, he never engaged in the 
teaching profession. Since 1900 he has been the employe of practically one firm 
in the town of Buckhannon, namely, the Buckhannon Light and Water Company, 
and his fidelity to that company has been so remembered that he has held the 
positions of engineer, bookkeeper, and is now the superintendent and purchasing 
agent. He married Nancy Linger, the daughter of Oliver Linger and Mary A. 
Self, and the granddaughter of Philio Linger and Martin Self. The date of their 
marriage was January 30, 1902, and their children are: Silvia Hazeltine, born 
April 15, 1903, Earnestine, born December 3, 1906. 

Brothers and sisters of the subject of this sketch are: Clinton A., who married 
Etta Strader. Mintie I., wife of O. L. Woofter, Mary E., wife of J. R. McNemar. 

Mr. Curtis was field superintendent for the B. L. & W. Co., in the construc- 
tion of their new plant in South Buckhannon and by perseverance, having learned 
the electric business, was invaluable to his employer. 

JOHN CUTRIGHT, SR.. was a native of Virginia. His parents lived near 
Fairfax Courthouse for many years prior to their immigration to Looney's Creek, 
now in Hardy County, West Virginia, where he grew up, and about the year 1770, 
came to the Buckhannon Valley, joining the Pringle brothers. His father's name 
was likely Hendrick Cartright, for in the year 1753, he witnessed a deed from 
Peter Reed to Peter Haas. 

The biography of this first settler has been given in preceeding pages, except 
his connection with the Revolutionary War and his marriage after that war to 
Rebecca Truby. 

The Adjutant General's Olifice of the War Department of the United States 
Government furnishes this record of his service. "John Cutright served as a 
private in Captain Machen Roswell's Company, 2d Virginia State Regiment, com- 
manded by Colonel Gregory Smith, Revolutionary War, and it appears 
on the company payroll for September, 1778, without remark, and it last appears 
on the company muster for February, 1779, which shows him "discharged." 

The report of the Secretary of War of 1833, contains the name of John Cut- 
right, who began drawing a pension for his services in the Revolutionary War in 
the year 1831. At the time of his death in 1852, he was still drawing thif 
pension. 

John Cutright's children : Jacob, Ann, John, William, Isaac and Christopher 
T.. Jacob married Elizabeth Westfall and their children were: Naomi, George, 
Isabella, Elmore, Susan, Theodore, Clark, Dexter W., and Ann. 

Ann married David Casto, and their children were: William, John, Martin, 
Ananias, Jacob, Rebecca, Isaac. 

John married Christina Wetherholt and their children were : David, William, 
Mary Ann, Maudline, Jemima, Jacob and Isaac. 

William married Elizabeth Cutright and their children were : Melvin, Matilda,. 
Nathan, Isabelle, Bermelia, Adam, Catherine and Albert. 

Isaac married Cassie Ann Cutright and their children were: Salathiel,^ 
Marshall, Cynthia, Samantha, Oriah, Harriet and Thamar. 

Christopher T. married Sinai Pringle and their children were: John, Rebecca, 
Bednego, Nebo, Esther, Christopher, .^shby, Rachel, Ann, Wealthy, Minerva^ 
Thursa and Jaspr N. 



FAMILY HISTORY 425 

ALONZO CUTRIGHT, son of Elmore Cutright, married Catherine D. 
Strader, daughter of John Strader. 

Children, Parley E., Loy F., and Isa M. 

Mr. Cutright is a farmer and carpenter. 

ALBRO A. CUTRIGHT.is a son of Richard A. and Irene (Teets) Cut- 
right, was raised a farmer of Washington District, three miles south of Postoffice 
of Queens. He is the eldest son and oldest child of his father's family. Was 
educated in the common schools and at a young age began working in the lumber 
woods, where he continued to work until his father's death, when he was com- 
pelled to come back to the farm and look after the care and keeping of the 
homestead. He now resides at Ellamore, West Virginia. 

ASA I. CUTRIGHT a farmer living at Kingsville, Ohio, was born in this 
County, August 6, 185 1, the son of Elmore Cutright, the grandson of Jacob Cut- 
right and the great grandson of John Cutright. was raised on a farm near the 
mouth of Cutright's run and the postoffice of Hampton on the B. & O. R. R., and 
on September 11, 1871, married Mary F. Kiddy, the daughter of Wm. H. and 
Hannah Kiddy, and to them have been born four daughters and two sons ; 
Alverta Lee, born 1872, the wife of C. W. Shurtliff ; Curtis Columbus , bom 
February 7, 1874, and married Miss Clara Garrabrant of Ashtabula, O.. Feb- 
ruary 18, 1006: Virginia Frances, born May 17, 1876, the wife of J. L. Crise; 
Walter Joseph, born September 7, 1877: George Orma, born May 19, 1881, the 
wife of Charles Brake: Icy Winifred, born July, 1884, the wife of Wilson M. 
Bugby of Kingsville, Ohio. 

"^ CLARK CUTRIGHT, son of Jacob Cutright, son of John Cutright, Sr., 
born March 17, 1827, his mother was Elizabeth Westfall, daughter of Zachariah 
Westfall and Hannah Wolf. He was raised on a farm and farmed until the 
Civil War broke out, when he enlisted in Company I., 3d West Virginia Cavalry, 
under Captain G. A. Sexton. His disabilities now entitle him to a pension of 
twelve dollars a month. His wife's maiden name was Susan Norvell, daughter 
of Seneca Xorvall of Albermarle County, Va., and their children were: Mary, 
Agnes, Charles V., Benj. T., S. N., William and J. B. He now owns a farm near 
Overhill where he lives, is a Baptist in religion and a Republican in politics. 

CORNELIUS CUTRIGHT. born October 4, 1823, on the waters of Stone 
Coal, Lewis County. Raised on a farm and is a farmer. In 1858 he moved to 
Ten Mile, L^pshur County, where he has since resided. 

Married Jemima Cutright, daughter of John Cutright, Jr., and granddaughter 
of John Cutright, Sr.. in 1843. His mother's name was Johanna Cutright. 

Children : Martha Ellen, wife of Hiram Dean : Clarissa, wife of William 
Nichols: Malinda. wife of Henry Zickefoose : Anna, wife of Henry Nichols; 
Peter, married Malinda Bean : Ervin G., married Mosella Phillips : Frederick, 
married Mary E. Van Camp. 

CLAUDE B. CUTRIGHT, born August 4, 1872, son of Granville S. Cut- 
right and Elizabeth Hinkle, the daughter of Abram Hinkle, who was the son of 
Jonas Hinkle, of Randolph County. 

Was educated in the common schools and the Buckhannon High School. 
In 1896, he married Mary E. Lewis, daughter of H. H. Lewis of Randolph 
County and they have two children, Ruth, born June 24, 1897; Claude B., Jr., 
bom September 11, 1900. 

The subject of this sketch, at the age of nineteen, after his graduation from 
the high school entered the mercantile business at Newlon, as clerk for C. I. 
Farnsworth. He was a merchant at Pickens for several vears and at West Union, 



426 FAMILY HISTORY 

Doddridge County, for one year. He quit the store business and opened a fire 
insurance office in Clarksburg, which business he followed until 1905, when he 
sold out his agencies and went into the lumber business. He lives at Clarksburg, 

DAYTON CUTRIGHT, son of Amos Cutright, grandson of George Cut- 
right, great grandson of Jacob and the great, great grandson of John, is a native 
of Upshur County, was raised on the waters of Glady Fork of Stone Coal. 
Educated in the common schools. Is a farmer and stone mason ; follows the 
former business almost exclusively now. Owns a farm of 60 acres. 

He married Mollie Hinkle, a daughter of .\ndrew Hinkle and Clarissa 
Cutright. 

A Republican in politics. 

DANIEL CUTRIGHT, of Hinkleville, son of George and Susanna 
(Pringle) Cutright and grandson of Jacob and Elizabeth (Westfall) Cutright 
and great grandson of John Cutright. His mother was the daughter of William 
Pringle, the son of Samuel Pringle. His grandmother was the daughter of 
Zachariah Westfall. 

The date of his birth is fixed as February 26, 1844, from birth until 1862, 
he lived with his parents, at that time enlisted in the Upshur Battery, was wounded 
in the battle at Buckhannon, but not so seriously that he was disabled from 
retreat. His course of retreat was across the valley near where the Academy 
now stands to the bend of the riven, where W. F. Viehmier's planing mill 
now stands, where he threw down his gun and other arms, swam the river and 
made his escape. 

Before his wounds thoroughly healed he went with his company to Clarks- 
burg, thence to Wheeling, where he was made gunner of the 5th piece of artillery 
and served as such during most of the war. His company was ui\der General 
Kelley most of the time in the Vallev of Virginia. He was mustered out June 
28, 1865. 

On December 21, 1865, he married Delila J. Boyles, daughter of Michael 
Bovles of Johnstown, Harrison County, and to them were born seven children : 
Idella, Annie B., Opha D., Hester E., Dorothy D., Gertrude and John M. 

October i. 1881, his wife died and on the 13th day of March, 1884, he mar- 
ried Mariah E. Neeley, a daughter of David Neeley and their children were eight : 
Isaac D., Laura L., Wesley A., Edna, Daniel N., Ireta P., Verta M., and Mary M. 

The subject of this sketch has been a farmer all his life, has held several offices 
of trust, was Justice of the Peace eighteen years, a member of the County Court 
and Notary Public. Member of the U. B. Church for forty years, and is a 
Republican in politics. 

DARIUS H. CUTRIGHT, a farmer and coal broker, was born in the village 
of Hinkleville, September 14, 1870, the son of Granville S. Cutright and 
Elizabeth H. Hinkle, the daughter of Abraham Hinkle, the son of Jonas, the son 
of Hans Lenert Hinkle, one of three brothers who einigrated from Germany to 
Pennsylvania in 1749. Was raised on a farm, is a lover of good horses and 
always keeps them. He married Lucy P. Reger, the daughter of N. B. Reger 
and Bettie Cockerill. His wife's grandparents were Riley Reger, who married 
a Miss Jackson and John T. Cockerill, who married a . 

The subject of this sketch lives one mile north of Buckhannon, and operates 
a coal bank in connection with his farm. 

Children : Beatrice, Paul, Helen and Granville, Jr. 

DR. D. M. CUTRIGHT of Hinkleville, was born October 14, 1866. son of 
Ashy P. Cutright and Minerva Cutright, the daughter of Abraham Cutright, the 



FAMILY HISTORY. 427 

son of John Cutright. His father was the son of Enoch, who was the son of 
Abram Cutright and Susan Bush. He was educated in the Pubhc School near 
his home, took normal courses at the French Creek Academy and the Normal and 
Classical Academy of Upshur County, followed teaching for several years and 
resigned that profession to prepare himself for the practice of medicine, he took 
his medical course in the Cincinnati Electric Institute and passed the State ex- 
amination triumphantly. 

For six months he practiced at Romines Mills, for several years at Lorentz, 
five years in Doddridge County and then returned to the scenes of his childhood 
to continue his profession. 

He was married to Hattie E. Broooks, daughter of Adolphus and Josephine- 
Brooks on September 20, 1892, and their children are: Reginald ClifTord, born 
June 20, 1893, Paul Russell, born April 18, 1897, and Marjorie Minerva, born 
March 13, 1900. 

GEORGE M. CUTRIGHT. son of William Cutright and the grandson of 
John Cutright, Jr. Born in 1870. Married Prudy Smith, daughter of Charles 
E. Smith, the son of Marshall and \lrginia (Cutright) Smith. Children: French. 
Iva, and Clarence. 

He is a farmer by occupation and a Republican in politics. 

GIDEON M. CUTRIGHT, son of George and Susanna Pringle Cutright. 
the grandson of Jacob Cutright and the great grandson of John Cutright, a recruit- 
ing and scouting officer during the Revolutionary War. Was born July 25, 1845. 
Was raised on a farm, educated in the public schools, enlisted August 15, 1862, in 
Battery E, 1st West Virginia Light Artillery and served during the war, with his 
company and regiment was discharged June 28. 1865 at Wheeling. 

December 9, 1869, he married Rebecca J. Loudin, the daughter of David C. 
Loudin and Mary Green and the granddaughter of Thomas Loudin of Harrison 
County. After his marriage he settled down on a farm in Upshur County, where 
he remained for several years before moving to near Helvetia in Randolph 
County, where he has since been engaged in the occupation of farming. 

His children are: Emma E., Simon R., Norman, Osman B.. Harmon N., 
Clarence W., David L., Leslie and Hulda M. 

GOLDEN CUTRIGHT. a teJcher. Born October 3, 1889, in Meade District 
on the waters of Grand Camp. The son of Leonard Lorenzo Dow Cutright and 
Nancy Cutright, the daughter of Salathiel Cutright and Bridget Wolfe. 

He is the grandson of Asel Cutright and Mahala Cutright. Asel Cutright 
was a son of Abraham and Susan (Bush) Cutright. and Abraham was a son of 
John Cutright and Deborah Osborne. 

Salathiel Cutright was a son of Isaac and Cassie Ann Cutright and Isaac 
was a son of John Cutright and Rebecca Truby. 

The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, educated in the public 
schools and is now teaching in Randolph County. 

HENRY B. CUTRIGHT, born July ^7, 1865, the son of Christopher O. Cut- 
right and Barbara Ann Crites, the grandson of Christopher Cutright and Sinai 
Pringle, who was the son of John Cutright. The subject of this sketch spent six 
years in Dakota and Washington Territories in the lumber busines'; and returned 
in 1892, to enter the barber business in the town of Buckhannon. In 1904, on 
account of bad health he moved on a farm in Maryland and lived there till the fall 
of 1906, when he returned to Buckhannon and became the proprietor of the Palace 
Barber Shop. 



428 FAMILY HISTORY. 

He married Rosa Miles, the daughter of Benjamin F. Miles, who married a 
Miss Hall. 

HUGH ALVIS CUTRIGHT, born December 20, 1870, near Gould, parents 
Clayton P. Cutright and Francis L. Alvis. His mothers people came from Alber- 
marle County Virginia, in the fiftiees. H. A. Cutright is a teacher, having been 
educated in the common school and the Normal and Classical Academy at Buck- 
hannon. On August 17, 1890, he married Cora Perry, daughter of John and 
Lucebia Perry. 

Children: Fannie Lucebia, born August 12, 1891 : Lola Zonia, born January 
21, 1893 ; John B., born July 4, 1899 ; Preston Virgil, born October 8, 1903. 

ISHMAEL CUTRIGHT, farmer, Yukon, Okla. Was born October 30, 1847 
on Cutright's Run, son of Nathan Cutright and Susan Hinkle, was raised on a 
farm, educated in the schools near his home and at the outbreak of the war enlisted 
in the Northern army, where he served for three years. Upon returning home, 
he entered upon a business life and married for his first wife, Mary Hinkle, the 
daughter of Abraham Hinkle and Mary .\nn Anderson, and their living children 
are Ida B., born 1869, now the wife of John H. Allen ; Ord G. Cutright, born 
June, 1872, who married Mattie E. Johnson of Texas, and MoUie Cutriglit. born 
in 1879, the wife of R. E. Race. These three children and their families live in 
Oklahoma and Texas. 

Ishmael Cutright was a farmer and merchant at Hinklesville for many years 
before his removal to Kansas in 1882, he left Kansas in 1889 and went to Okla- 
homa Territory, settling near where he now lives. His second wife was Eliza 
F. Phillips, the daughter of John P. Phillips, and their marriage occurred February 
5, 1880. Living child, Nellie, born 1882, the wife of John T. Clayton. Mr. 
Cutright is engaged in farming and live stock on the North Fork of the Canadian 
River. 

ISHMAEL GUY CUTRIGHT, born January 17, 1871 at Hinklesville. The 
son of G. S. Cutright and Elizabeth Hinkle. He was raised on a farm, educated 
in the public schools of the County and the Buckhannon High School, from 
whence he went into the mercantile business at Newlon as clerk for C. I. Farns- 
worth ; at Pickens and Cairo for himself. He was one of the original promoters 
of the reorganization of the West Virginia Western Telephone Company, whose 
principal office is at Parkersburg, He has been in the lumber business and the in- 
surance business fir the past ten years. 

He married Mary Elizabeth Brown, daughter of Edward Brown and Sara 
Godfrey of Lancaster Coun'y, England. Mr. Brown emigrated from England 
in 1871, locating at TitusviHe. Pa., and became a producer of petroleum. He is a 
petroleum producer at Cairo. West \'irginia. 

JEMIM.\ CUTRIGHT, daughtr of Nathaniel and Xaoma Cutright, born 
June 15. 185 1. On her father's side she was the granddaughter of Isaac Cutright 
and Catherine Stump. She married Jasper N. Cutright in the year 1870. And 
to them were born three children, two daughters and one son: Luceba, first wife 
of Grant Pritt, Lillie Mav, wife of Jeflferson Teets and Malon, who married Nola 
A. Smith. 

JESSE CARL CUTRIGHT, born June 13. 1883, son of Lemuel R. Cut- 
right and Salina Brady, the daughter of William Brady; the grandson of 
Elmore Cutright, who is a son of Jacob Cul right, who is a son of John Cutright of 
Sycamore tree no'.ority. He was raised on a farm and has completed a course 
of study prescribed for the public school. Since his graduation from the public 
school, he has farmed some, he has railroaded some and has worked in coal mines. 

J.\COB W. CUTRIGHT, son of George and Susanna (Pringle) Cutright, 



FAMILY HISTORY. 429 

grandson of Jacob and the great grandson of John, was born March 15, 1841 
His first wife was Mary Simons, daughter of Christopher Simons. By this mar- 
riage there were eight children and in due time after the death of his first wife he 
married Louisa Crites, and their children number five: Charles M., Bertha, Flor- 
ence, Essie Frances, Hattie. 

The subject of this sketch was a soldier in the Upshur Batter} . During his 
service in the war he contracted diseases, which found permanent lodgment in 
his eyes, causing him in time to become almost, if not quite blind, and for this 
disability he is now drawing a pension. He is now a farmer of Buckhannon 
District, owning a tract of land on Cutright's Run. Is a Republican in politics. 

KENNETH E. CUTRIGHT, born February 11, 1861, son of Calvin L. and 
Amanda Cutright, the daughter of Nathaniel, son of Isaac, son of John and 
Deborah Osborne. His father was a son of .A.bram, whose wife's maiden name 
was Wetherholt. 

He was raised a farmer and shoemaker and has followed these trades most 
of his life. 

He married Helen Morgan, the daughter of Charles W. Morgan and Nellie 
Norman and the granddaughter of Captain David Morgan, and their children 
were Forrest, Harry and Vera. 

Mrs. Cutright died October 12, 1898. The subject of this sketch married for 
his second wife, Addie Bryan, the daughter of William Bryan, and their children 
are Roy, Coy, Ruth and Ruhl. 

Mr. Cutright is now engaged in the lumber business. 

LYM.-\N CUTRIGHT, farmer, lawyer and politician. He is the eldest son 
of Granville H. Cutright and Elizabeth Jane (Beer) Cutright. He was born July 
16, 1867. His father was the son of .Abraham Cutright and Mary .\nn (Weather- 
holt) Cutright, and Abraham Cutright was the son of Isaac, who was the son of 
John and Deborah (Osborne) Cutright. 

His mother was the daughter of John Beer and Mary (Hetrick) Beer, natives 
of Pennsylvania, who came to L'pshur county in i860. 

His brothers arc : Ralph E. Curtight, who is a successful physician of Rock 
Cave, this county ; Frank, who is at present a teacher in the Clarksburg High 
School, and a graduate of both the Academy and Seminary in this county, and also 
the Lmiversity of Nashville and the West Virginia University; Delos M., the 
youngest brother, resides near Clarksburg, and is a graduate book-keeper and 
accountant from the Mountain State Business College, and has for several years 
been superintendent of the coal company's office at Wilsonburg, W. Va. 

The subject of this sketch taught several terms of school in Upshur and 
Randolph counties. Was merchant and postmaster at Helvetia, W. Va., for a 
period of four years. Later he entered the law school of the West Virginia 
University, from which he graduated in 1901. Owing to the ill health of his 
father he spends most of his lime on the home farm at Sago. He has always been 
an ardent Republican, and at present Chairman of the Upshur County Republican 
E.xecutive Committee. 

LINDSAY W.\ITALA.N CUTRIGHT, born September 18, 1869, son of 
Jacob Ervin Cutright and Mary Ellen Cutright, married Alley Blanche Lane, 
oldest daughter of T. B. and I\Iary E. Lane, September 25. 1893. Two children. 
Page Dameron Cutright, born May 29, 1896: Oscar Brashear Cutright, born 
November 5, 1898. 

MANLEY McCLELLAN CUTRIGHT was born January 26, 1861, near 
Hinklesville. the son of Christopher Columbus Cutright and Rebecca .\. (Crites) 



430 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Cutright. His grandfather was Christopher T. Cutright ; granchnother. Sinai 
(Pringle) Cutright. 

McClellan Cutright left home at the early age of ten years, immediately after 
the death of his father. For the first four or five years he made his home with 
Perry Simpson Lorentz. When .sixteen years of age, he secured a position with 
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and he worked for that company fifteen years 
at Lorentz, six years at Gaston and then at Buckhannon where he served the com- 
pany as chief clerk, assistant agent and agent, to which last position he was 
promoted in 1897 as successor of W. P. Fowkes. He resigned January i, 1904, 
and at once, was made chief clerk in the West Virginia Central Gas Company, 
which position he still holds. 

M. M. Cutright married Sarah Margaret Martin, second daughter of George 
W. and Rebecca M. Martin, January 25, 1899. 

Mabel Rebecca Cutright, their only child was born December 2, 1899. 

MAJOR A. CUTRIGHT is the youngest son of Dexter W. and Julia 
Ann( Kiddy) Cutright, owns a farm of fifty acres near Hampton on the Buck- 
hannon River, but is a carpenter by trade and practice. He is a natural machinist. 

He married Minnie Rohrbough, daughter of Simon Rohrbough of Hinkles- 
ville and their children are several. 

He is a Democrat in politics and a Methodist in religion. 

PERRY C. CUTRIGHT, son of Clayton Cutright, grandson of Christopher 
Cutright, Jr., the great grandson of Christopher, Sn. who was the son of John 
Cutright. His mother was Parthena Smith and the date of his birth was February 
II. 1877. He is a lumberman and married Minnie Gillespie, child, Lucile. 

PARLEY E. CUTRIGHT. agent of the Coal '& Coke R. R. at Frenchton, 
Upshur county, W. Va., and the .A.dams Express Company. He is also ex-teacher 
and educator. Is the son of Alonzo and Catherine (Strader) Cutright. the 
grandson of Elmore Cutright, the great grandson of Jacob Ctitright, who was the 
son of John Cutright. His mother was the daughter of John Strader. He was 
educated in the public schools of Roane and Upshur Counties and the Hinkles- 
ville Normal. Taught several years and went to Cincinnati to take a course in 
telegraphy. After completing his course he was employed for a time by the B. & O. 
R. R. .A.fter several months employment with this company, he concluded to go 
with the C. & C. and was assigned to Frenchton. 

His wife was Maud, the daughter of .A.lva Neeley and the granddaughter 
of David Neelev. They have one daughter living and one dead. 

ROSCOE'C. cutright of Czar, Randolph County, was born September 3, 
1876, the son of Watson W. Cutright and Louvernia, his wife, and the grandson 
of George Cutright and Susanna Pringle. 

He married Mary Catherine Loudin, December 4, 1898. She was born 
January 31, 1872, the daughter of John L. Loudin and Mary Depoy and the 
granddaughter of David C. Loudin and Mary Green. The subject of this sketch 
was raised to till the soil, which pursuit he still follows, being the owner of 49 
acres, in Randolph County. 

Children: Hezza, Cecil, Bulah, Cordelia, and Eva Cecilia. Three of these 
children died when quite young. 

Mr. Cutright has worked many years in the lumber business, in and around 
his home. 

DR. RALPH GREELEY CUTRIGHT. born 1870, October 2, near Sago, 
son of Granville H. Cutright and Elizabeth Jane Beer, the daughter of John Beer 
and a Miss Hetrick. His father was a soldier in the Civil War, belonged to 



FAMILY HISTORY. 481 

Company E, West Virginia Infantry, under Captain P. J. Potts, and was later 
re-enlisted in the loth Virginia Cavalry and went west to protect the border settle- 
ments from Indian invasion. The subject of this sketch got his elementary edu- 
cation in the schools and his special education for the practice of medicine was 
received at Lebanon Normal in Ohio and at the Kentucky University. In 
August, 1899, he located at Rock Cave for the practice of his profession and still 
lives there. Married Ella Rohrbough, daughter of Simon Rohrbough and Julia 
Ann Cutright and the granddaughter of Jacob Rohrbough and great grand- 
daughter of Anthony Rohrbough. To this union has been given one child, EUa 
Catherine, born September 21, igo6. His father was a son of Abraham Cutright 
and Mary Ann Pringle. The Doctor is a Republican in politics and a Methodist 
Protestant in religion. 

SENECA NOR\'ELL CUTRIGHT, a farmer of Union District, born July 
13, i86g, near Tallmansville. His great grandfather was John Cutright, who 
settled here in 1770, and his grandfather was Jacob Cutright, who married Eliza- 
beth Westfall. He was raised on a farm, took some interest in education, such 
as could be acquired in the public schools and at the age of twenty began work 
for himself. He now lives near Overhill and owns fifty-four acres of land, has 
served as president of the board of education of Union District for twelve years, 
and will, on next July, start on another four years term. He has lumbered some, 
is a Baptist and a Republican. On Xmas da3^ 1891, he married Miss Ida Cloonan 
of Pocahontas County, and to this union have been born five children whose names 
are: Donas Pearl, born April 6, 1893 ; Leona Dove, born June 22. 1894; Lela Dale 
born May 17, 1896: Otis Norvell. born January, 1901 ; Clyde, born August, 1903. 

VERNON T. CUTRIGHT, a fanner of Meade District. His parents were 
John Cutright, Jr., and Christina Abbott, a daughter of John Abbott and Ruth 
Brady. His grandparents were Christopher T. Cutright, whose wife was Sinai 
Pringle. His father's first wife was Louisa Cutright, a daughter of Enoch 
Cutright. 

He is one of four children. His other brothers being Lloyd, married Annie 
Johnson ; Lee and Bryson, both single. 

Mr. Cutright has been married twice, the first wife being Letha Phillips, a 
daughter of Osborn Phillips, the son of David Phillips, and the second being Ethel 
Gay, daughter of John J. and Sarah Ann (Aldrich) Gay of Pocahontas. 

He is a Republican. 

JOHN R. DAVIS, born February 12, 1857, and married Mary Dawson May 
1872, and their children are Hester Bell, Floyd D., Daisy Lucretia and Ida May, 
now dead. Mr. Davis' second wife was Jemima S. Golden, whose former hus- 
band was George Beverage, and their child is George William Beverage. 

The subject of this sketch is a son of Zebulon and Sara (Ronina) Davis and 
the grandson of Joshua and Hester (Randolph) Davis, who were natives of Har- 
rison County. 

Zebulon Davis was a soldier in the Union army and was killed after the war 
in a railroad tunnel. 

Mr. Davis' children by his second wife, who was the daughter of Moses 
Golden and Rebecca B. Rittenhouse, and the granddaughter of William and 
Mary E. (Nallie) Golden of Albermarle County, Va., are: Columbia Ray and 
Virgil Roy. 

Mr. Davis owns a farm of 150 acres of land, of which one hun<lred acres are 
improved, and on which there are three fine orchards, good dwell'ng house and 



432 FAMILY HISTORY. 

•outbuildings. He belongs to the Cow Run U. B. Church, and is a Republican 
Prohibitionist in politics. 

MATTHIAS FILLMORE DAVIS, policeman of Buckhannon, 1907-1908. 
Son of Lewis Davis and Harriet Dean, of Old Town, Md., grandson of Samuel 
Davis, a soldier of the war of 1812, who lived at Cherry Camp, W. Va. M. F. 
was born August 24, 1854. His father was wagon-master during the Civil War 
and frequently had to make his own repairs, so the son became a mechanic and 
has been a locomotive engineer for seventeen years, prior to his acceptance of his 
present position. Nine years of the seventeen years were spent on the Alexander 
and Rich Mountain R. R., five years on the Stockert and Painter Fork R. R., and 
two years running a log engine for various lumber companies. 

He is of English descent, is a Republican, member of I. O. O. F. of No. 126, 
Mineral Lodge, Flintstone, Md., for the past thirty years. 

He married Reta Smith, daughter of Walker Smith and Vina Haddox, 
daughter of Elza Haddox, soldier in Company M, 3d West Virginia Cavalry, and 
Sophronia Perry, the daughter of Elias Perry, who immigrated to Upshur county, 
early in the last century. 

Their children are Annie B., Hazel L., and Leslie Ross. 

THEODORE DARIUS DAVIS, farmer and lumberman, born in Ritchie 
County, near Berea, June 12, 1873, son of Theodore Freeland Hyson Davis and 
Mary E. Goodwin. Mr. Davis came to this county with his father, in 1882, and 
has been in business for himself for ten years. He married Lucy Jane Miller, 
daughter of David J. Miller, March 7, 1895, and to them were born Delphie Eliza- 
beth, February 19, 1896; Willie, Albert Jackson, Lloyd. 

GEORGE W. DAWSON, native of Nelson County, Mrginia. born March 29, 
1844, son of Stephen Dawson and Dicie Wade, grandson of Hiram Dawson and 
Elizabeth Dobbs of Scotland and the great grandson of Josiah Dawson, who once 
owned the land on which the city of Glasgow now stands. Hiram first landed at 
Jamestown, Va., in 1814, after a sea voyage of six months and died in 1816, after 
which his wife and her son Stephen moved to Stafford County, \'a.. thence to 
Nelson County, thence to Albermarle County, where the mother died at one 
hundred and two years of age. Stephen was married at Mt. Ebb Baptist Church, 
near Batesville, in 1856, when he brought his family to Upshur county. In 1861, 
when the war broke out between the states, George W., at the age of 16, volun- 
teered in the Upshur Grays, and served with this company till the close of the war. 
He was wounded at the Battle of Rich Mountain and McDowell and Antietam and 
again at the battle of Fredericksburg. When he recovered from the last wound, 
he took up arms again and was in the battle of the Wilderness and around Rich- 
mond until October 26, 1864, when he was retired from the regular army for six 
months on pay and detailed as provost guard near Danville, Va., and served as 
such until Lee's surrender. 

The close of the war found G. W. a cripple from the wound received in ser- 
A'ice and thus he was obliged to follow a trade or business that would both fur- 
nish him a living and give opportunity for him to recover from his disabilities. He 
became a drummer and lived in Nelson County, \'a., where he had married a 
Miss Fox. In 1878 he came to Upshur County and entered upon the mercantile 
business. A few years hence he lost his wife, who had borne him nine children, 
seven living and two dead. He was Justice of the Peace of L^nion District 
eight years. His second wife was a Miss Vest, and their children numbered five, 
and his third wife was a Miss Balsley of Nelson County, Va. He is postmaster 
at Overhill. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 433 

THOMAS P. DAWSON, farmer of Warren District, was born August 7, 
1852. His father was Amaziah Dawson and his grandfather was John Dawson, 
a soldier in the war of 1812. His mother was Sarah A. Loudin and his grand- 
mother was Susan Swisher. He was the only son in a family of five children. 
His sisters being H. L., wife of John Teets, M. A., Bertie S. and Sarah E. 

He married Rachel Smith, the daughter of Philip Smith and Elizabeth 
Brake, April 22, 1879, ^"^ to them has been born one child, Julia Lee Dawson. 

-Mr. Dawson is one of ihe leading farmers ot the Northern part of tin. 
County, takes great interest in politics, has been twice elected Justice of the 
Peace of Warren District on the Republican ticket and has acted as Deputy 
Sheriff under A. M. Tenney, Jr. 

COL. M. A. DARNALL, was born in Greenbrier County, Va., now West 
Virginia, November 26, 1827, and was married in 1847 to Jane McDowell and 
moved to what is now Upshur County, in the year 1849. Mr. Darnall was a 
blacksmith by trade but left his shop in 1861 and joined the Union army, and was 
made Captain of Company A, West Virginia Volunteers, and was promoted to 
Colonel of the loth West Virginia Volunteers, taking General Harris's place when 
Colonel Harris was promoted to General. 

During the war Mr. Darnall was in many engagements, among them was with 
Sheridan in his thirty days fighting up the Shenandoah Valley and was also with 
Grant when he marched on and took Richmond. 

After the war Mr. Darnall took up his trade as blacksmith, which he followed 
almost to his death, in 1882. 

Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Darnall raised thirteen children. Among them was 
H. A. Darnall, the subject of this sketch, who was the seventh son and was born 
July 12, i860. 

Mr. Darnall was brought up on a farm in Meade District of Upshur County, 
working on a farm in the summer and attending the district school in winter. 
After completing the course of study in the free schools, Mr. Darnall graduated 
from the West Virginia Normal and Classical Academy of Buckhannon, W. Va. 

Mr. Darnall taught three terms of school in the Rural districts, two years 
in the village of Frencli Creek and eleven in the public schools of Buckhannon, 
W. Va., nine of which he was City Superintendent of schools. 

Mr. Darnall served one term as Congressional Committeeman from Upshur 
County, and one term as Chairman of the Upshur County Republican Executive 
Committee and was nominated postmaster of Buckhannon, W. Va., in 1902, and 
re-appointed in 1906. Mr. Darnall was married in 1897, to Carrie M. Loudin, 
daughter of O. B. and Amelia Loudin, of Warren District, and to them two 
children have been born, Amelia Beth and Robert Bruce. 
Mr. Darnall is a K. of P. and a Free Mason. 

ALFRED DEBARR, born August 31. 1878, on Turkey Run. Son of 
Lafayette DeBarr and Mary Ellen Radabaugh. the daughter of Isaac Radabaugh, 

His father was soldier in Company E, 4th West Virginia Cavalry, lives at 
Ten Mile and is a pensioner. 

The subject of this sketch has two sisters, Ida and Lona. 

His education is practical, having been acquired in active work on saw mills, 
railroads and other public enterprises. He is now engaged in the saw mill busi- 
ness as partner of Andrew Beer. They own a portable mill, which does sawing 
by contract for whomsoever will pay them the most. 

He is also a farmer and during the time when the mill is not in operation, 
he works considerably on his fami of fifty-five acres, near Ten Mile. 



434 FAMILY HISTORY. 

CATHARINE DEBARR, daughter of George and Rebecca (Rohrbough) 
Warner, born June 20, 1863. Was married to Smith Debarr by Rev. Samuel T. 
Westfall ; is his second wife. 

Children : Solomon, Ernst S., Ella J., Annie May, Perry, Octavia C, Nannre 
B., Osie, Edith R. 

Smith Debarr, son of William Debarr, was first married to a daughter of 
James Dean, and their children were Louisa, Leander, Samuel and Columda. 

CLEATUS DEAN, is the son of John B. Dean and Julia Burkhammer, was 
educated in the common schools and taught the carpenter trade by his father. 

He married Mary L. Casto, the daughter of Cieorge D. Casto and Fanny 
Crites, the granddaughter of Abram Crites, Jr., and the great granddaughter of 
Jacob Crites, June 23, 1905. 

His wife is the grand daughter of William Casto, the son of David Casto, 
who married a sister of John Cutright of Sycamore Tree. 

William Casto married the daughter of George Westfall, son of Zachariah, 
son af Jacob, son of James, who built the Westfall fort, near Beverly, in 1777. 
His child, Ethel Odella, is dead. 

JACOB LLOYD DEAN, is a mechanic and farmer of Union District, was 
bom November i, 1874. Was educated in the common schools of the County. 
His parents were George Washington Dean and Lucinda Hinkle, his grandfather 
was John Dean. 

He married Virginia Grififith, October 18, 1894, the daughter of Gideon 
Griffith and Mary E. Dean. 

Children: Ivy Jane, Osie Pearl, William Flinch, Ida Hazen, Elza Raymond. 
Jesse Albert. 

LYDA MARSHALL DEAN, is a farmer of Union District, a native of the 
County, born September 9, 1866. His parents were Marshall Dean and Louisa 
Kesling. His paternal grandparents were John Dean and Catherine Heavner. 
John Dean was a son of John Dean, Sr., who came from England and settled u. 
Greenbrier County and was a soldier in the war of 1812. 

Catherine Heavner was a daughter of Nicholas Heavner and Mary Propts, 
both of German descent. 

His maternal grandparents were James Kesling and Mary Wamsley. 
James Kesling was a son of Jacob Kesling, who came from Highland County, 
Virginia, he was a fifer in the Civil War. Mary Wamsley was the daughter of 
James Wamsley. 

The subject of this sketch married Louisa E. Hinkle, the daughter of Sanson 
Hinkle and Sarah Jane Musgrave, and the granddaughter of Jehu Hinkle, the son 
of Jonas. Sarah Jane Musgrave was a daughter of B. B. Musgrave and Caroline 
Chipps and the granddaughter of David Musgrave of Monongalia County, his son 
settling in Upshur County in 1840. 

The ceremony of marriage was solemnized October 7, 1886, and three 
children have been born to this union: Harly Elston, born September 26, 1890, 
Oma Grace, born March 11, 1895, Necie Jane, born May 4, 1898. 

Mr. Dean owns 152 acres of land on the Buckhannon river near the postoffice 
of Hinkle. 

NATH.\N HOMER DEAN, a farmer of Union District was born November 
16, 1858, about four miles from where he now resides, a son of Marshall and 
Louisa (Kesling) Dean and the grandson of John and Catherine (Heavner) 
Dean. 

His father was one of fifteen children of the same parents and his father lived 



FAMILY HISTORY. 435 

to be 87 years of age, saw service in the war of 1812, and lived at Norfolk, Va., 
at the time of the birth of Nicholas, his oldest son and child. His grandmother 
belonged to the Heavner family, which is scattered over Randolph, Webster, 
Braxton, Pocahontas, Pendleton and Upshur Counties. W. Va., and Highland 
County, Virginia. Both the Deans and Heavners are of German descent and be- 
long to that large influx of German settlers who came down from Pennsylvania 
to the Valley of Virginia in the i8th Century. 

His mother was a daughter of James and Mary (Wamsley) Kesling, the 
granddaughter of Jacob Kesling, Sr. 

Mary Wamsley is a member of the Wamsley family of Randolph County 
and of English descent. 

Subject of sketch, November 14, 1878, married Martha Frances Hiner, the 
daughter of Samuel J. Hiner and Christina Michael and the grand daughter of 
Joseph Hiner of Highland County, Virginia. 

Their children are Cyrus, Benton, dead, Samuel W. M. and an infant, dead. 

Mr. Dean is a Notary Public, has been a member of the Board of Education 
of Union District for eight years. Is a Republican in politics and a Methodist 
Protestant in religion. 

SOLOMON DEAN was born in the year 1832, and has lived a citizen of 
Buckhannon all his life. He is a carpenter and farmer, his grandfather, John 
Dean, emigrated from England and settled in Greenbrier County, his father John 
moved to Upshur County before the Civil War and during his life related fre- 
quently to his children his soldier career in the war of 1812. His services in this 
war entitled him to a pension, which he drew for many years prior to his 
death. His father married Catherine Heavner, the daughter of Nicholas Heavner 
and had retained her German tongue so well that at the time of the marriage she 
could not speak English. Children of John and Catherine Heavener Dean: 
Nicholas Dean, who married Elizabeth Barrett, and always lived in this county; 
William, married the daughter of Jacob Kesling ; Julia Ann became the wife of 
Abraham Rohrbough, who moved to West Fork in Lewis County, and there lived 
until their deaths; Polly became the wife of Samson Huffman of this County; 
Matilda became the wife of Valentine Hinkle of this County ; Elizabeth became the 
wife of John H. Crites ; Malinda became the wife of Samuel Sheets, of Harrison 
county; Louisa Jane became the wife of A. J. KeSling ; Marshall, married Louisa 
Kesling, the daughter of James Kesling : he is now 84 years old. and Solomon, 
who married Ruth A. Kesling, daughter of James Kesling, and to them were 
born ; Jennie, the wife of Senator W. D. Talbot and C. L., who married Emma 
Sawyer of Randolph County. 

The tenth child of John Dean, Sr., was John, Jr., who married a Miss Fury, 
daughter of Harrison Fury for his second wife and now lives in Illinois ; Elias 
Dean lives in Illinois. George married Lucinda Hinkle, a daughter of Archibald 
Hinkle ; Jacob married Matilda Reger, daughter of Goodman Reger, and Perry 
the fifteenth child is now a citizen of Kansas. 

HENRY DEM.XSTES a native of Virginia, bom August 10, 1852, and was 
married to Mary Ellen Walton, the daughter of Arthur T. Walton, October, 1872. 

Their son, Willis Robert, was born April 18, 1876, and married Rosa Ann 
Haymond, the daughter of Marcellus Benton and Elizabeth Jane Raymond, Jan- 
uary 28, 1897, and their child is Cora Avis. 

Will's Robert follows sawmilling and farming for a livelihood. His home 
is near Canaan Postoffice, on the Little Kanawha River, to which place his parents 
immigrated in 1872. 



436 FAMILY HISTORY. 

He is a Methodist in religion and a Republican in politics. 

JOHN W. DICKENSON, born May 29, 1853 son of Valentine M. Dicken- 
son and Eliza Wood, a grandson of William Dickenson and Mary Head. His 
grandparents lived in Albemiarle County, Va., as did also his mother's people, 
John Wood and Sarah Eggleton. His wife, Rachel E. Mowery, born Mav 5, 
1850, is a native of this county and the daughter of John Mowery and Elizabeth 
Heavner and the granddaughter of John Mowery, Sr., and Nancy Dean. Mrs. 
Dickenson on her mother's side, belongs to that numerous family of Heavners, 
now living in Upshur, Bra,xton, Lewis Randolph, Pocahontas and Pendleton 
Counties. Mr. and Mrs. Dickenson were married December 18, 1873, ^^'^ ^° 
them were born Daniel Blair, Sarah Margaret, John Carl, and Florence Virginia. 

He is a farmer, a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church on Sand 
Run. 

D. H. K. DIX. I am the fourth son of Isaac Dix, and my mother was the 
daughter of Philip Reger, Esq. 

I was born and reared on a farm, now owned by Daniel Webster Dix, two 
and one-half miles below the town of Buckhannon, Upshur County, West 
Virginia, January 24, 1828. 

My early privileges were few. I had the advantage of the schools of that 
day, which were very limited and inferior and these were in the winter months. 
When I was nineteen years old, I took fifteen months schooling in the Western 
Virginia Academy at Clarksburg. I taught two terms of school in the winters 
of 1849 ^'id 1850. 

I was admitted into the West Virginia Annual Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, June 7, 1850. I have been, now (1906) in the ministry fifty- 
eight years. 

I was united in matrimony with Miss America Young, the eldest daughter of 
John D. Young of Kanawha County, Virginia, now West Virginia. She is of 
an old family of the Kanawha Valley. 

We have been living together fifty-three years. 

We have three children buried, two sons and one daughter. We have two 
living, one son and one daughter. 

I have filled many responsible positions in the church, notably : Ten years Pre- 
siding Elder ; four years Member of the Board of Missions of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. My life has been a strenuous one. I have been four years 
a member of the State Senate of W^est Virginia, from 1865 to 1869. I was one 
of the Committee to Codify the laws of West Virginia in 1868. I have lived to 
see my native state rise from its infancy to its grand proportions at this date, 
1906, and feel a just pride in her success. Now that my life work is nearly 
done, and I am almost eighty years old, I have no regrets that I should have 
chosen a different course in life. I wish to leave this statement to others that I 
believe I was in the line of duty, and so I have a peaceful mind. 

I believe that to be just and to deal justly was the right thing to do, and I 
have realized it to be so. 

Now with good wishes to all, hoping that others may take courage to "'deal 
justly, love mercv and humbly with Thy God." 

ISAAC DIX, the eldest son of Stephen Dix. who settled on Elk Creek, near 
Clarksburg, Harrison County, Va., now West Virginia, was born in 1780 or near 
that date. Isaac had very limited school privileges, and when he reached major- 
ity he could scarcely read the plainest print, but by perseverance he became a 
great reader of books and papers. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 437 

He married the daughter of Philhp Reger, Esq., who was an early settler 
near Buckhannon, Lewis County, now Upshur County, West Virginia. She 
was the only daughter of Philip Reger by his first wife, who was a sister of 
George Jackson, who was at one time a member of the United States Congress. 
Elizabeth Reger and Isaac Dix were married in 1813, and settled soon on a tract 
of land on the Buckhannon River at the mouth of Turkey Run. The northern 
line beginning on the said river near the noted Pringle Tree. 

A very small opening had been made in the wild woods of that day, near 
where the Dix home now stands. By their industry and economy and patience, 
built a comfortable home for their children, all of whom have had a fair measure 
of success. One of the sons and two grandsons have been members of the State 
Legislature of West Virginia. 

There were born to them nine children ; five sons and four daughters, all of 
whom have passed the Great Beyond but the fourth son, D. H. K. Dix. 

They left to their children a rich inheritance of godly lives and uprightness 
before their fellow men. 

The third son, John G. Dix. inherited the old homestead. He married the 
daughter of Mr. Isaac Brake in 1852. There were born to them three sons and 
two daughters. 

By their industr}' and energy gained quite a competence. John G. Dix became 
one of the most subst.-Miial citizens of this county, a very successful business man. 
His oldest son. Daniel Webster, now owns th old homestead and lives there with 
his mother and two sisters, Mary E. and America. He is one of the leading 
farmers and stockmen in the county. He is greatly respected for his uprightness 
in business and in life. The second son, Philip Arthur, is a graduate of Allegheny 
College. He is a lawyer and in business with his brother Benjamin S .Dix, 
in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are both successful business men. 

John G. died March 11, 1887. He has left his family a goodly and upright 
name, a manly christian life, and lasting influence for good to his neighbors. 

JOHN GEORGE DIX, born June i, 1825. Son of Isaac and Elizabeth 
(Reger) Dix, was one of a family of seven, namely: James, David, John G., 
Daniel. Sarah Ann, wife of Benjamin Conley, Emma, wife of Anthony Teets, 
and Rachel, wife of William Reeder. Married Olive Brake, daughter of Isaac 
and Polly (Jackson Brake), July 20, 1853. 

Children: Daniel Webster, born March 22, 1855, farmer and stockman; 
Philip Athur, born October 18, 1856; began the profession of law, left it on 
account of health, now nurseryman in Utah, married Goulia Sears of Decatur, 
Neb. ; Benjamin Sanford, born February 23, 1858, unmarried, nurseryman in 
Utah; Mary Elizabeth, born May 17, 1863; America, born May 7, 1865, un- 
married. 

JOHN SETLINGTON DOUGLAS was born) March 2, 1849, on the 
farm he now owns in Banks District. His parents were John Douglas and 
Elizabeth Armstrong, natives of Highland County, Va., who emigrated! to 
Frenchton about 1845. His grandparents were James Douglas and a Miss Ervin 
of the same County. This James Douglas, as legend has it, was one of three 
brothers, who came from Scotland to America in Colonial days, and one of them 
settled in Ohio, one in Kentucky and one in Virginia. 

The subject of this sketch was raised a farmer but in youth devoted himself 
so attentively to his school, that success crowned his efforts and after three 
years of study under Loyal Young, D. D., as principal of the French Creek 
Academy, he concluded to teach and was amply prepared for that profession. 



438 FAMILY HISTORY. 

He taught fifteen years, two years of which time he taught in the state of 
Illinois. 

He married Vernie A. Ireland, the daughter of John Ireland and Olive 
Loudin. May 28. 1878, and to this union have been given, three daughters: Ora, 
Rettie, wife of R. M. Hull, and Rae. 

Mr. Douglass owns two hundred acres of land, his father's homestead, and 
farms it with success. He has held several positions of trust in Upshur County. 
He was census enumerator in 1880, served as Deputy Sheriff, 1881 to 1885, and 
also 1893 to 1897, he has been elected as president of the Board of Education of 
Banks District three times in twelve years. Is the president now, has been a 
member of the examining board of teachers and was selected and appointed 
by Governor Dawson as real estate assessor of Upshur County, under the new 
tax law of 1905. He is a Republican in politics and Methodist in Religion. 

JOHN DOUGLAS was one of the early settlers near Frenchton. His 
wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Armstrong and their children were Jared A., 
who married Virginia Post, was a soldier in Company E, 3d West Virginia 
Infantry and died at Heater, W. Va., May 22, 1906 ; Mariah S., wife of Chapman 
McCoy, died in 1893 ; James, who married Theresa Johnson, of Indiana, in 1873, 
and died the same year; William, who marrietl Rena James of Lexington, 111., 
and died 1893. one child. Belle, wife of A. M. Ambrose; George M., captured 
with Upshur Militia and died at Andersonville, Ga., March, 1864; Martha J., 
wife of Nathan Clark, one child. Alva, died 1877 ; John 8., Samuel H., married 
Belle Jones, daughter of Joseph Jones. He lives at Alton, W. Va. 

J. M. N DOVVNES, lawyer of Buckhannon was born in Carroll County, 
Ohio, July 3, 1863. His parents were John and Caroline (Guest) Downes. His 
grandfather on his fathers side was born in Culpepper County, Va., and moved 
to Ohio about 1816, where the subject of this sketch was reared and educated. 
After completing his education he devoted a number of years to teaching. He 
took special courses in the National Normal School and the Glasgow Normal 
School, from which latter he graduated in 1886 with the degree of B. S. 

In 1889 he married May Smith, the daughter of Joseph W. Smith of Glas- 
gow, Kentucky. They have four children, twr daughters and two sons. 

His school work lasted through several years, during which time he was 
principal of the Eastern Ohio Normal, of the High School of Monticello, 111, 
and Superintendent of the City Schools of Summerset and Bellevue, Ky. 
Was secretary and president of the Kentucky E. A., and a member of the Ken- 
tucky State Board of Examiners. 

He was admitted to the practice of law in Kentucky in 1891. In 1901 he 
moved from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Buckhannon, W. \'a., where he has since lived, 
practicing law. 

He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and F. and A. M. 

TILDEN B. DRUMMOND was born December 11. 1876 in Harrison 
County, son of Edgar Drummond and Martha Varner, the grandson of Pendle- 
ton Drummond and Naomi Hutron and the great grandson of Thomas Drum- 
mond. His mother was a daughter of John \'arner and Phoebe Pugh, the daugh- 
ter of Abram Pugh and Patsy Pugh. His mother moved to Buckhannon in 
the year 1892, with her children, her husband having departed this life some years 
before. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in the Buckhannon High 
School, the Normal and Classical Academy and the West Virginia Conference 
Seminary. He taught three years, was a clerk in stores of Buckhannon about 



FAMILY HISTORY. 439 

five years and has been general manager of tlie T. B. Drunimond & Co. busi- 
ness. Wholesale and Retail dealers in building supplies and farming implements. 

FRANCIS PAYNE DUMIER son of John William and Margaret (Gray) 
Dumier, natives of Tucker County. Father a soldier in Company 3, 6th West 
Virginia Infantry and his father came from Culpepper County, Va. F. P. was 
born December 14, 1856, and settled in Upshur County in 1899. His first wife 
was .Mary Jane Phillips, daughter of Isaac Phillips and their children are Kenneth 
Lee, .\dda Myrtle, Alilton Elbert and Mary Margaret. His second wife was 
Almira Ours, daughter of John Ours of Upshur County. 

JASPER NEWTON DUKE, a blacksmith, farmer of Banks District. His 
postoffice is Alexander. On his mother's side he is of English descent. 

His birth occurred December 12, 1855, on Laurel Fork, of Upshur County. 

His parents were Andrew Jackson and Susane (Thompson) Duke, father 
a native of Augusta county, Va., and mother a native of Albemarle county. Va., 
who came to this country in 1850, settling near South Bend, north of Buckhannon 
town, and then moving to Laurel Fork, of French creek. 

His father's children are William Thomas, soldier in loth West Virginia 
Infantry, who married Almira Lunsford ; Edmond F., a Union soldier, who 
married Margaret Wentz and lives in Kansas; Josephine Mafheny, lives in Ritchie 
county: Frances, dead; Julia Viola, wife of Dr. Blair, of Johnstown; Emma, wife 
of Acquilla Ward; Estelle, wife of J. L. Crites, of Alton; Newton, subject 
of sketch. 

He married Ella Snyder, daughter of Thomas Snyder, and she was acci- 
dently drowned at .Alton. She was the mother of three children, W. H., C. B., 
and H. Q. 

His second wife was Mary Jane, now dead, a daughter of A. J. Gladwell, 
and their children are W. R., Daisy D., Lannie and Lyman, twins ; Robert E., 
Earl and Pearl, twins, the latter dead ; Russell, Archie, Guy F., Andrew, Burdett. 

LAWRENCE LOUDIN, born March 27, 1884, on West Fork. Son o^ 
Miflin and Ida (Childers) Loudin. His mother was a daughter of William 
Childers, whose wife was a Miss Ferrell. His grandparents were John Loudin 
and a Miss Pickens of Harrison County. He is the third son of his father's 
fam.Jly. And on October 15, 1905, he married Gertrude Bosley, a daughter of 
iJimL's Bosley and Dona Hicks of Braxton County, and a granddaughter of Rev. 
David Bosley of Hampshire County. Child, Lowrena, born April 4, 1906. 

Mr. Loudin is a farmer and a miner. His home is Bull Town, Braxton. 

JACOB COLUMBUS ECKESS, is a farmer of Banks District: his resi- 
dence is in Rock Cave. He was born September 15, 1842, and married Lucy Hen- 
derson, November 6, 1867, and their children are Madge Agatha, the wife of J. 
M. Smith, Hardware and Furniture Merchant of Davis, W. Va. ; Libbie Loverah, 
the wife of Dr. W. A. J. Brown, a physician of Elkins, W. Va. ; Benjamin 
Franklin, a merchant at Fairmont ; Mary Florede, the wife of Edward Clifford 
Jones, of Baltimore, now a leading merchant of Fairmont ; Mary Florede, the wife 
of Franklin Millan. oil producer at Mannington ; Edgar DeWitt Talmage, single. 

The subject of this sketch is the son of Jacob Eckess and Catherine Beashlar 
and the grandson of Christopher Eckess and Elizabeth Werer. They are of 
German descent. 

Jacob Eckess and Catherine Beashlar were married in 1840. The grandfather 
of Mrs. Jacob Eckess was a Revolutionary soldier and died in Balt'more. 
leaving one son, George Henry Beashlar, who was the father of Mrs. Jacob 
Eckess. 



440 FAMILY HISTORY. 

The subject of this sketch enlisted in the army of the war of the RebelHon, 
February, 1862, and served till the end of the war, he was wounded at the battle 
of Cedar Creek, and had an attack of typhoid fever while in service. His wife 
was the daughter of William Henderson and Elizabeth Swisher. Wiliam 
Henderson moved from the Valley of Virginia to the waters of Slab Camp in 1838. 

Mr. Eckess owns two farms in Banks District. 

JAMES E. EDWARDS lives at Queens, Upshur County, owns one of the 
best improved farms in that section of the County. Is middle age in life. 
Married. Has been actively engaged in the lumber business for many years. Is 
now completing a job of cutting timber for Moore and Keppel. the largest pro- 
ducers of lumber and the largest owners of forest lands in that whole country. 
This contract of cutting has already continued through two years and will con- 
tinue at least two more. 

Mr. Edwards is a worker and while he has many hands under him, he asks 
none of them to do more work than he can and will do himself. He runs a camp- 
and boarding house for his own hands. Has never taken his family to this 
camp, but keeps them on the farm, to which he pays a weekly visit, looking after 
his stock and other farm interests. 

JOHN ELBON is a fanner and millwright. Lives on the hill east of Sago, 
has been very active and energetic in building grist mills in Upshur and the 
surrounding counties and many people in Randolph, Webster, Lewis, Barbour 
and LTpshur know of his ability as a millwright and go out of their way to pat- 
ronize the mills he builds. 

His energetic wife is the farmer of the family, has always lived on the farm 
and on account of the absence of the husband has had to assume directorship 
of the farm and the raising and educating of her children. She knows as well 
as any mother can know what the responsibilities of a farmer and mother com- 
bined are. 

A. JAMES GILLISPIE BLANE ENGLE, son of Peter S. Engle and the 
grandson of Godfrey Engle, of Pennsylvania. His mother was Adeline Bilby. 
He was born August 15, 1884, in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and moved with 
his parents to Upshur in 1884, locating near Sago, on a farm of seventy-one acres. 
He learned the masons trade, which he has been following since his apprentice- 
ship. He married Georgia B. Loudin, daughter of John W. Loudin. 

CH.A.RLES E. ESKEW is a mechanic and carpenter of Newlon, W. Va. 
Was born January 7, 1868, at Lorentz. Son of Ellis and Rebecca Ann (Lorentz) 
Eskew, a daughter of Jasper N. Lorentz, a soldier in the Upshur Battery, by his 
first wife a Miss Hubbel. His mother is the great granddaughter of Jacob 
Lorentz and wife, who was Rebecca Stalnaker. 

Mr. Eskew's brothers and sisters number twelve, of which ten are livine 
and he the third child. 

He married Rebecca Cutlip, a daughter of Benjamin Cutlip of Braxton 
County. 

He owns a good, comfortable home at Newlon, where he lives. 

OMER J. ESKEW (same genealogy as Charles E. Eskew), is a farmer in 
Randolph County, between Newlon and Helvetia. He married Eliza Freda 
Roth, a native of Switzerland, who came to this country with her parents and to 
this union have been born two children. Clifford, born August 2, 1902; Omer 
Dane, born November 23, 1905. 

IRA L. EURIT of Volga, W. Va., was born July 22, 1854, near Elk City, 
Barbour County. He is the son of James D. Eurit and Phoebe Burner and the 



FAMILY HISTORY. 441 

grandson of Samuel Eurit, who emigrated from Virginia. Mr. Eurit was raised 
on a farm and educated in the public schools of his county. He began teaching 
in 1874, and pursued that profession for ten years, or until his marriage in 1884 
to Florence Virginia Teter, daughter of Alva Teter, since which time he has been 
engaged in farming. 

Children : Dennis M.. born October 27, 1886, a student at the Business College 
at Clarbsburg: Bearing H., born August 28. 1888, at home. 

His wife died July 15, 1894. Mr. Eurit has two sisters, Columbia A. and 
Floretta J., and one brother, Floyd. 

BURTON ULYSSES FARNSWORTH, born December 13, 1871, in Los 
Angeles, Cal. Son of L. S. S. Farnsworth, first resident dentist of Buckhannon, 
and Catherine Adgett, of .Augusta county, Va. He was grandson of Nathaniel 
son of Daniel, son of Thomas Farnsworth of New York. His father made two 
trips to California, and had a family of fifteen children, of whom the subject of 
this sketch is the tenth. 

He married Hallie M. Conn, born August 25, 1880, daughter of Jarrett 
Conn and Lucy Rigs of Monongalia County. His wife's father was a soldier 
m the Civil War. 

Children of B. U. Farnsworth are Jaunita Gail, born April 5, 1898; Wayland 
Conn, born October 21, 1901. 

Mr. Farnsworth is a harp soloist and won the gold medal at the World's 
Fair at Chicago, 1893, as French Harp Plaver. 

HON. DANIEL D. T. FARNSWORTH was a resident of what is now 
Buckhannon, L^pshur County, since he was two years of age, and to him and his 
ancestors the county owes more of its development and prosperity than to any 
other one name. 

He was a merchant. Statesman. Publicist and Governor of West Virginia. 

He was born on Staten Island, New York, December 23, 1819, died Decem- 
ber 5, 1892. at rest in Heavner Cemetery, Buckhannon, W. Va., where a hand- 
some monument is erected to his memory. Son of James S. and Abigail Farns- 
worth, and grandson of Daniel Farnsworth, who owned the south end of Staten 
Island. His mother was a Wilcox, from New Brunswick, New Jersey. His 
grandfather had seven sons, James S., the oldest; and five of these sons were liv- 
ing when the family came to the town of Buckhannon in June 1821. 

James S. was a soldier in the 1812 war, and drew a pension till his death, 
which occured in his eighty-fifth year. Daniel Farnsworth, the grandfather, 
was virtually the founder of Buckhannon ; the town had been laid off, it is true, 
some years before his coming, but not a house was erected before his arrival, his 
family camped in an orchard (still standing) until he put up a large, two-story 
log house, still occupied by one of his grand children. 

Daniel Farnsworth gave his Staten Island property for 1,500 acres of land, 
including Buckhannon (except eighteen lots that had been sold) and 2,000 acres 
in Pocahontas County. 

D. D. T. Farnsworth married his first wife, Ann M., daughter of John and 
Lucinda Gibson of Harrison County, near Clarksburg. Her father was an 
1812 soldier, and drew a pension until his death. She was born January 13, 
1824, became the wife of Mr. Farnsworth November 30, 1841, and died January 
23, 1852. Their children were six: Alice A., now widow of A. B. Jeffers ; 
Abigail L., now the wife of Jesse Moneypenny ; Louisa A. ; George G. ; Sarah C. 
and James S. These four now deceased. 

In November 15, 1853, Mary J. Ireland became the wife of D. D. T. Farns- 



442 FAMILY HISTORY, 

worth, she was a daughter of Alexander R. and Sarah (Jackson) Ireland, and 
was born May i, 1830. Of her union with Mr. Farnsworth were born Alexander 
P., now deceased ; Flora L., now widow of Floyd Leonard ; Roberta M., now de- 
ceased ; Clinton L, Columbus, now deceased ; Mary Etta, now deceased ; Sally 
J., now deceased ; Duane T., now deceased ; Lottie Laurene, wife of George Frank 
Lawson and Emerson W. Farnsworth. 

His second wife, who was born near Buckhannon survives him. Mrs. Mary 
J. Farnsworth's mother was Sarah Jackson, the daughter of John Jackson and 
Elizabeth (Hadden) Jackson. Mrs. Farnsworth's grandfather and Stonewall 
Jackson's grandfather were brothers, and her grandmother and Stonewall Jack- 
son's grandmother were sisters. The two grandfathers names were John and 
Edward Jackson. The two g'randmothers were Elizabeth Hadden and her 
sister, Mary Hadden. 

Mrs. Farnsworth's father was living in Ohio where he was engaged in pro- 
tecting his father's home from the Indians and assisting him in clearing out the 
forest, when he met Sarah Jackson, who was visiting relatives in that country 
and later married her in what is now Upshur County. 

The father of Alexander R. Ireland was a Revolutionary soldier and took his 
son A. R. Ireland at the youthful age of 12, to assist in the war of American 
Independence. 

Mr. Farnsworth. in 1836, engaged in the mercantile business in Buckhannon 
with his father-in-law, Alexander Ireland, for several years. 

He commenced life a poor boy, and died a well-to-do man for the country 
in which he lived. He was a man of great determination and will power. When 
)nce he began a task that he knew was right, he would work with the determina- 
tion to win or die. An example of his will power was shown in his early days 
when he became addicted to the use of tobacco, when one day a friend of his 
made the remark to him, Mr. Farnsworth, it seems to me that you use more 
tobacco than any man I ever saw. If I were you I would limit myself to the use 
of tobacco until I could quit it entirely. Mr. Farnsworth, surprised at the re- 
mark, not realizing that he had been using so much tobacco, threw his tobacco 
in the fire at the same time saying, "Then I will quit it." "Oh ! " said his friend, 
"I did not mean for you to quit all at once." Mr. Farnsworth then answered, 
"It is best to quit all at once." And from that day until his death he never 
touched the weed again. 

During the Civil War on one occasion when he was in the town of Buck- 
hannon some little time after he had made one of. if not the greatest speech of 
his life, against secession, in Philippi. When with pointed muskets at his head, 
demanding of him that he stop speaking, or they would riddle him with bullets. 
And his answer to them was, that his voice would never be silenced while he 
could speak for his country and his flag, and that to die in its honor and be buriecf 
.n its folds, would be his choice rather than the silence of a coward or traitor. 

It was but a short time after this occurrence that this same army, that so 
violently threatened his life, came riding through the streets of Buckhannon, and 
on seeing the Union flag floating in front of the old court house, they detennined 
it should be torn down. When Mr. Farnsworth hearing their threats to tear 
down the flag he loved better than his life, locked his store door, whirling the 
key around his finger, saying, "Gentlemen, if any man touches that flag, he will 
do it at the peril of his life," and in his agitation he walked back and forth in front 
of his store. They must have taken it for granted that he knew of some secret 
body of men in close hiding that could be quickly notified in an emergency, for 



FAMILY HISTORY. 44:5 

after riding around over the town left without doing the flag any harm, going 
from there to Philippi. 

He was serene and level headed in everything he undertook. On one occa- 
sion in Charleston, while a member of the Constitutional Convention, the con- 
vention hall caught on fire, and Mr. Farnsworth and two other gentlemen, mem- 
bers of the convention, came near losing their lives in an effort to rescue the flag 
from a burning building. 

It was on April 6, 1872, in the convention, and is in print today in the 
journal of the convention of 1872, which Mr. Alexander Campbell, seeing the 
daring bravery of these three men, offered the following resolutions, which, on 
the motion of Mr. William A. Morgan, was tabled, reads as follows : Resolved, 
That the thanks of this convention and the people of West Virginia, are due 
Col. Morgan, Governor D. D. T. Farnsworth and Major George O. Davenport, 
for their efforts to save the "Old Flag," when the convention hall was in flames, 
and that each be presented with a gilt edge copy bound in Turkey Morroco, of the 
old and glorious song of, "Rally round the flag boys! Rally one and all! ! !" 

In 1851 the first grand jury was impannelled. It was the first jury that ever 
sat as a jury of inquest for the body of Upshur County. 

Those composing this body were Hon. D. D. T. Farnsworth, Alvin M. 
Bastable, Tilletson, Jenny, C. G. Miller, George Ambrose. John L. Smith, Elias 
Bennet, David Rennet, Lewis Karicoff, William E. Basley, John Lewis, Henry 
Reger, S. Hazeldon, Wilson M. Haymond, Archibald Hinkle and O. B. 
Loudin. They were sworn, and after hearing the instructions of this Court, 
retired to consider of their presentments. After some time they returned into 
the court room and presented six true bills of indictments. He was Justice of the 
Peace in 185 1. 

Mr. Farnsworth was president of the Exchange Bank, of Buckhannon, which 
commenced business on the 6lh of September, 1881, and was also director of the 
same body. He was a man of great liberality ; was fond of his friends, and it 
was his delight to have them with him and to show his hospitality in his home. 
On one occassion, while the County Court was in session, after he had moved 
into his new home on the Island, which was a large and comfortable house and 
one that he was proud of, he made the remark to his wife, that he might bring 
some of his frietids over to dinner and for her to have dinner prepared for them. 
During the we^c of Court, he had entertained at least 30 of his friends, which 
afforded him great pleasure. 

He owned stock and was a director of the railroad between Clarksburg 
and Buckhannon. He was stockholder in the Buckhannon Bank and was. its 
President. He was elected a Militia Major of the 133d Regiment of Virginia 
before the Civil War. He was one of the Board of Directors of the West Vir- 
ginia Hospital for the Insane, for several years. He was one of the earliest 
Magistrates of the County. 

At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was one of the staunchest defenders of 
the LTnion ; his voice ringing from every rostrum against secession. He was 
elected to the House of Delegates, which convened in Richmond in the spring 
of 1861, and by virtue of that election, was a member of the Legislature which 
convened in Wheeling July ist, 1861. 

He was a munber of the Wheeling Convention June 11, 1861, lot the re- 
organization of the state government, and offered the first and only resolution 
looking to the formation of a new State, at the risk of his life. The resolution 
was tabled, vote 50 to 17, but at the reconvened Convention in August, the ordi- 



444 FAMILY HISTORY. 

nance forming West Virginia was passed and Mr. Farnsworth was chairman of 
the committee presenting it. 

He was a member of the First House of Delegates in West Virginia, and was 
some seven years member of the Senate, and in the session of 1868-9, he wa^ 
president of that body. 

From February 1869 to March 4, he was Governor of the State to fill the 
unexpired term of Governor Boreman, elected to the United States Senate. He 
was one of the committee of twenty that revised the first Code of the State, the 
Code of 1868, and he was a member of the convention that framed the New Con- 
stitution in 1872. During the war his life was many times threatened, and at 
one time in Philippi, while speaking against secession in the face of armed confed- 
erates, he was told that if he persisted in speaking he would be riddled with 
bullets. 

He continued to speak, declaring "his voice should never be silent while he 
could speak for his country and its flag, and that to die in its honor and be buried 
in its folds was his choice rather than the silence of the coward or the traitor." 
He was a warm advocate of equal rights and the protection of labor, and would 
have the government issue the only money, whether gold, silver, or paper, making 
all legal tender, and was opposed to the Perpetuation of the bonded debt with the 
treasury overflowing with money. His motto was "The greatest good to the 
greatest number, equal rights to all and exclusive privileges to none." 

DANIEL B. FARNSWORTH, of Walker, Wood County, West Virginia, 
was born December 9, 1844. Son of John M. Farnsworth and the grandson of 
Daniel Farnsworth, among the first settlers of the town of Buckhannon. His 
brothers and sisters were: Jane, Catherine C, Louisa A., Ezekiel S., Mary .\., 
John J., Lucy E. and Andrew Clark. 

Married Sarah E. Cochran, daughter of Alfred and Diadama Cochran, 
October 15, 1866. 

Children: Mary L., born September 29, 1867; Martha J., born August 30, 
1869; Edward C, born March 25, 1871 ; Alfred L., born March 13, 1872; 
Prudie E., born February 7, 1874; John M., born January 4, 1876; Daniel N., 
born November 28, 1877; Diadama M., born March 7. 1880; William M., born 
March 12, 1882; Sarah E., born Julv 8, 1884; Melissa \'., born July 6, 1887. 

EDGAR REGER FARNSWORTH of Pittsburg. Pa., Ijorn in 1872 on 
Fink Run, at the old Farnsworth home, near the present fair groiinds. His par- 
ents were W. D. Farnsworth and Columbia Reger. He is a Cobbler by trade, 
having learned his trade under James .\. Dayis. He has been twice married. 
His first wife was Estelle Douglas and his second wife was Margaret Colerider, 
•daughter of Edward and Jemima (Reger) Colerider. 

Children: Clyde W., born fulv 25, 1893; Hugh Daniel, born June 15. 1893. 

FLOYD F. F.ARNSWORTH. M. D. Was born in Buckhannon April 2. 
1869. The son of Frank L. Farnsworth. who is in direct line of descent from 
Daniel Farnsworth who emigrated from Staten Island to Buckhannon in 1821. 
Dr. Farnsworth was educated in the public schools of the County, passed a 
teacher's examination and taught in Randolph and Upshur. He graduated from 
Union College, formerly known as the Normal and Classical Academy at Buck- 
hannon in 1897. Having taken the course when it was possible for him to spare 
the money, which he had made in teaching school prior to that time. He was 
made principal of the Thomas Graded School, Thomas, W. Va.. 1898 and 1899. 
Was principal (;f the Parsons Public School. 1809 and 1900, and principal and 
,>;tiperintendcnt of the I'.uckliannon i)ublic and high school from 1900 to 1903. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 445 

Having for many years nursed an ambition to be a practitioner of medicine, 
he now saw his way clear to take the course required by law and necessary to 
pass a State Board, giving him certificate to enter upon the profession of his life. 
He graduated from the Alaryland Medical College in 1904, and at once located 
at French Creek, where he has since lived and where he now enjoys a lucrative 
practice. 

Before attaining to the position and profession he now follows he had been 
a common laborer, a woodsman, a farmer, a teacher and a salesman, all of which 
pursuits he followed in order to get sufficient money to reach the goal of his 
ambition. 

He is a Methodist in religion. 

Married Lasora Martin, October 26, 1890. 

HUGH B. FARNSWORTH, the son of Dr. Thomas G. Farnsworth of 
Buckhannon. Was born and raised in the town of Buckhannon. Educated 
in the public schools of the same town. Entered upon a business life early in 
young manhood and followed many trades and callings until the fall of 1905, 
when he resigned a lucrative position with the B. & O. R. R. Company to move 
onto a large farm in Bath County, \'irginia, where he now lives. 

His wife's maiden name was Mintie Phillips, daughter of Simeon Phillips. 
Their children are: Hilda, Walter, Nora and an infant. 

J. J. FARNSWORTH born May 12, 1841, son of Nathaniel Farnsworth and 
Susan P. Simon, grandson of Daniel Farnsworth and the great grandson of 
Thomas Farnsworth. His grandfather was born in April, 1766, and came to 
Eiuckhannon in 1821, and founded the town. J. J. Farnsworth lives in the 
house which Daniel Farnsworth constructed on his arrival with his family to the 
now County Seat of Upshur, and Daniel Farnsworth's sons who came here with 
him, were: James S.. Nathaniel, John and Thomas. 

Nathaniel was born in New York February 22, 1797, and his wife was born 
in May, 1806. In the year 1850, J. J. went to the gold fields of California and 
worked there as a blacksmith and store keeper until 1865, when he went to South 
America. Not liking the southern hemisphere, he returned to Buckhannon and 
entered into the mercantile business, which he has pursued almost continuously at 
various points in the county ever since. 

He was shipwrecked on his return to New York. 

He has been a Free Mason for forty-five years, has been an Odd Fellow for 
twenty-five years, town sargeant and Chief of Police of Buckhannon for six years. 
He was a Democrat in politics. He married Henrietta Wise Fidler, daughter of 
William Martin Fidler and Mary Jane Hudson, natives of Fluvana county, Va. 
His wife was the youngest daughter of a family of ten, born November i, 1859; 
married on March 17, 1881, and their children are: Gladys Mabel born May 30. 
1882: Mary Parmelia, born August 29, 1884; Ernest Spencer and Forrest, born 
September 15. 1886; James B., born May 20, 1888; George Byron, born May 21,- 
i8go, and Hudson Fidler, born February 2, 1899. Ernest Spencer and 
James B. are dead. 

NIMROD D. FARNSWORTH, son of Wm. D. and Lucinda (Reger) 
Farnsworth, born May 21, 1858. Was raised by his grandfather on his mother's 
side, Nimrod Reger, on the waters of Brushy Fork. 

At his majority his generous grandfather gave him a farm of 141 acres, 
which he still owns, and where he still lives. 

He married Mariah E. Liggett, January 12, 1881, and to this union were 
born, Charles, Ivy, Edna. Ralph, Madge, Mary and Carl. 



446 FAMILY HISTORY. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON FARNSWORTH. A substantial and progres- 
sive citizen of Buckhannon, West Virginia, is a native of the place. He was born 
May 17, 1829, being the fourth of eleven children, born to Nathaniel and Susan 
P. (Simons) Farnsworth. His father (Nathaniel) was born on Staten Island, 
New York. February 22, 1797. His grandfather, Daniel Farnsworth was born 
in New Jersey, while his great grandfather, Thomas Farnsworth, was bom 
at or near Bordertown, New Jersey. The brother of Nathaniel Farnsworth, 
James Farnsworth, was a soldier of the war of 1812-14. The) famSljy is 
descended from English Colonial settlers of America. The maternal grand- 
father, Leonard Simons, was born in Virginia, and was one of the first to take 
up his residence on ihe Buckhannon River, his settlement being in the eighteenth 
century. He was descended from early German settlers of Pennsylvania. 

The wife of Daniel Farnsworth was a Miss Stout, born and reared in New 
Jersey. He traded land on Staten Island for property on the Buckhannon River, 
now the site of the town of Buckhannon, and came thither with his family in 1821, 
and their house, which was erected at that time, is still standing, and is the 
oldest house in Buckhannon. A fami was opened up from the primeval forest and 
became a valuable piece of property. Mr. Farnsworth was a Democrat politi- 
cally and was interested in all things of public character. He died in 1848. 
Nathaniel Farnsworth came into possession of the property, on which Buck- 
hannon is now built, when the estate was divided. y\fter the organization of 
Upshur County, in 1852, Buckhannon became the County Seat, and many lots 
were sold by Mr. Farnsworth. After a useful and active life he died in 1868, 
but his widow survived until 1888, and had been a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church for seventy years, at the time of her death. Thomas Jefferson 
Farnsworth was educated in the private schools of his native place and remained 
under the parental roof until he was eighteen years of age. He then served an 
apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, and after working at the same in various 
places, he conducted a shop of his own in Buckhannon for one year. March 8, 
1852, he started for California with Dr. William H. Westfall, a cousin, and after 
reaching Missouri, a party was made up to cross the plains. Upon reaching 
Mariposa County, California, September 6, 1852, they at once engaged in mining, 
and in a few months, Mr. Farnsworth had accumulated quite a little sum. He 
then rented a shop for one year, after which he bought two shops and continued to 
work at his trade about seven years, doing a large business and employing many 
hands. In 1857 he came home on a visit, became engaged to be married and re- 
turned here permanently in 1859. worth about $30,000, the result of 
seven years' work. He married Mary Carper, the daughter of Adam 
and Jemima Carper. Adam Carper was the son of Abraham and Millie 
(Harness) Carper and married Jemima Currence. daughter of William and Mary 
(Ward) Currence of Huttonsville, Randolph County. Thomas J. Farnsworth 
purchased much property in and about Buckhannon and engaged in farming and 
stock-raising on a large scale, and this property has since greatly increased in 
value. After the war he became active in politics and has held many offices. 
He was appointed as one of the commissioners to hold the first election under the 
new State: was elected the first supervisor of the county and became the first 
president of this Board, and was a trustee to open the first school here. He was 
elected to the House of Delegates in 1874, served in 1875, was a member of 
several important committees, and in 1876 was re-elected to this office in a 
county strongly republican, but at the expiration of his term declined re-election. 
In 1879 he was the Dernocratic nominee for the State Senate of the Tenth 



FAMILY HISTORY. 447 

Senatorial District, comprising the counties of Upshur, Randolph, Tucker, Bar- 
bour, Taylor and Lewis. He was elected without opposition and served in the 
General Assembly of the State in 1880 and 1881. Upon the re-organization of 
the Senate in 1883, he was elected president of that body and served as such dur- 
ing that year and 1884. Since that time he has declined official position. In 
1877 he was appointed by Governor Matthews as regent for the State University 
and was successively appointed by Governors Jackson, Wilson and Fleming, 
serving in this appointment eighteen years. He was a Mason m California in 
1855, but transferred his membership to Franklin Lodge No. 7, Buckhannon and 
served as master of it for thirteen years. He has been president of the Buck- 
hannon Bank for some years and continues active in business. He owns several 
valuable farms, a dozen or so of houses in Buckhannon, and his stock interests 
are very extensive, his droves of horses, cattle and sheep being very largge. 

He and his wife are the parents of six children : Emma, who died at the age 
of two years ; Carrie M., died when three years old ; Anna May is the widow of 
Dr. George B. Edmiston, having two children, Matthew and Georgie Bland 
Edmiston ; Mary Martha is the wife of Norval B. McCarty of Clarksburg, West 
Virginia, having one daughter, Mary Elizabeth McCarty ; Maude Carper is the 
wife of Benjamin Bassel, residing in Denver, Colorado; Thomas Benjamin, mar- 
ried Miss Clara R. Teter and resides in Buckhannon. 

Thomas J. Farnsworth and wife are members of the Baptist Church and he 
is a deacon in the same. Mr. Farnsworth's name is inseparately linked with the 
prosperity of Upshur County and from his active and useful life a lesson of genu- 
ine worth may be gleaned. His career has been marked by all that goes to make 
up useful and noble manhood, and his imprint will long be felt in the section in 
which he lives. 

THOMAS B. FARNSWORTH son of Thomas J., grandson of Nathaniel, 
great grandson of Daniel, who was the son of Thomas Farnsworth of Staten 
Island, N. Y., was born July 29, 1874, was raised in Buckhannon and early 
became desirous to own and operate a farm, his life has been spent in conse- 
quence on the farm. He owns a farm on the Weston Turnpike, two miles west 
of Buckhannon, and a residence on Main street, Buckhannon. On October 9, 
1905, he married Clara Rue Teter, daughter of Irvin Teter and Catherine White. 

He is a Democrat in politics and a Baptist in religion. See history of Senator 
T. J. Farnsworth and Irvin Teter. 

THOMAS GRANDISON FARNSWORTH, son of Thomas and grandson 
of Daniel Farnsworth of Staten Island, who emigrated to Buckhannon in 1821. 
His mother was Catherine Simon, daughter of Leonard Simon. He was born 
November 9, 1836, in Buckhannon, educated in the private school and the Buck- 
hannon Male and Female Academy. Took a course in Medicine at the Jefferson 
Medical College in Philadelphia. He began his business career as a contractor 
when nineteen years of age, which business he followed until the outbreak of the 
Civil War, more or less. Moved West to the State of Missouri in 1857, and 
returned in 1861, when he entered upon the Mercantile business in Buckhannon. 
At the outbreak of the war he was instrumental in organizing the Upshur Militia, 
Company B, 133 Virginia, and was elected its Lieutenant, was also Lieutenant 
of the Home Guard. Later on he recruited a Company for United States service, 
which was sworn in by Colonel Hughes of the 3d Virginia. That company unani- 
mously chose him for its First Lieutenant, but on account of some irregularity, 
the company failed to get its commission and disbanded. He retired to private 
life and began the practice of medicine, which profession he followed several 



448 FAMILY HISTORY. 

years. He was the last County Treasurer of Upshur County, served as 
member of Town Council for several years. In 1870 he moved to California, 
but remained a short time. He was twice elected a member of the House of 
Delegates from Upshur County, six times elected Mayor of town and is at 
present Mayor. 

He married Mary J. M. Marshall of Bath County, Va., daughter of Thomas 
Marshall, granddaughter of John Marshall, September 10, 1856. Children: 
Ida, born October 26, 1857, in Missouri, wife of W. N. Poundstone ; Charley 
M., born July 24, 1862, married Alvie A. Shutterly; Rose E., born November 
3, 1864, wife of J. Frank Coursey; Gertrude G., born March 28, 1867, wife of 
Robert T. Crowley ; Mary G., born August 24, 1869, wife of B. W. Ackles ; Hugh 
B., born April 13, 1874, married Minta Phillips; John W., born September 24, 
1876, married Alice Hammer. 

CHARLES BLAINE FARRAR, son of Charles Farrar and Adeline Cut- 
right. His father came from Highland County, Va., before the war and settled 
on French Creek, his mother died April 10, 1899. He is a lumberman, now 
operating on the Coal and Iron Railroad near the Pocahontas line. 

ROBERT CARSON FERRELL is a large farmer and stock raiser of Web- 
ster County, near Cleveland. His birth occurred March 3, 1833. He was the son 
of Lewis and Martha (Leving) Ferrell of Virginia, who came to this County in 
1845, first settling near Centerville and later living on Straight Fork, where he 
died at the age of 83. His father's children were: Charlotte, Martha J., Gar- 
land T., W. Mortimer, Ann E., Lewis Skidmore, Susan, Robert C. Cornelia 
M., Mary, Sarah and Elizabeth. 

In this family of twelve children were two daughters of remarkable contrast 
in avoirdupoise. Charlotte weighed only 80 pounds and Martha J., her sister, 
weighed 340 pounds. No doubt they were the smallest and largest of their sex 
in their neighborhood. 

Garland T. Ferrell was murdered in the wilderness of Gauley river in the 
year 1862. 

The subject of this sketch located near Cleveland in 1870, on Buffalo Creek, 
on a tract of land of 300 acres. This tract he cleaned out, bought more land from 
time to time until he now owns 900 acres of which 400 acres are in grass. On 
this farm he has five orchards and many cattle and sheep. 

On October 28, 1858, he married Louisa Young, whose birth occurred May 
28, 1834. Mrs. Ferrell was the daughter of Anson and Anna (Brake) Young 
of Upshur County. The children to this union are: Helena, wife of L. D. 
Power of Webster County; Martha, wife of Scott Lingel ; Dora E., wife of 
Nathan Berry; Ella, wife of Albert Hummel of Indian Territory; Williard L., 
married Isetta Harper; Orval C, single; Ira V., born September 25, 1859, died 
November 10, 1886; James A., born February 25, 1867, died July 9, 1888; Robert 
G., born September 2, 1876, died June 4, 1878. 

Mr. Ferrell is a Methodist in religion and a Democrat in politics. 

GEORGE ELIOT FIDLER, born August 31, 1868, son of William Martin 
and Mary Jane (Hudson) Fidler, emigrants from Fluvanna County. Va. His 
father was born January 13, 1820, and was married April ii> 1844. II's mother 
c/as born March 20, 1828. His brothers and sisters are : Sarah Ann, Mrginia, 
William F., James V., Mary E., Victoria A., Henrietta W., Hudson V., Robert, 
George E., all of whom were raised by their parents as members of the Baptist 
Church. And to their parents much honor is due for the noble christian children 
brought up in the fear of the Lord. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 449 

The subject of this sketch, August 31, 1892, married Sohpronia MacAvoy, 
who was born September 26, 1872. The daughter of Loyal Y. and Margaret 
E. (Windle) MacAvoy. ' 

The children to this union are : Lillie Fern, Paul MacAvoy, Loyal Wm., 
Ardvern Kemp, James Eliot and Ernest Clark. 

Mr. Fidler is a merchant and lives at the old homestead at Fidler Mill, 
now Arlington. He is a Democrat in politics. 

HUDSON VAUTER FIDLER, was born December 9, 1861. Was married 
November 26, 1889, to Eliza Jane (Cunningham) Fidler, who was born April 
17, 1861, daughter of Andrew and Frances (Clarkson) Cunningham. Andrew 
Cunningham was the son of Thomas Cunningham. 

Children: Jared French, Russell Hudson, Henry Allen, Glenn, Jane. Mrs. 
Eliza Fidler died March 11, 1898.. 

Mr. Hudson Fidler on the 9th day of August, 1900, married for his second 
wife, Etta Libbie Marley, who was born August i, 1874. Children: Bryan 
Americus and William Edward. 

Etta Libbie Fidler is a daughter of Charles S. and Sarah E. (Andrew) 
JNIarley. Charles S. was a son of Samuel Marley of "Painter Fork " 

Hudson V. Fidler is a son of Wm. M. Fidler and Mary (Hudson) Fidler. 
William M. was a son of William Fidler who emigrated from Fluvanna County, 
\'a., in 1847, with his family, whose wife was Eliza (Clark) Fidler. Their 
children were : V. J. Fidler, William M. and Eliza, who married Thomas Desper. 

William Fidler the grandfather of the subject of this sketch served six 
months in the war of 1812. He then took up the mill wright trade and followed 
ihat business until his death, which was more than fifty years afterwards. He 
emigrated from Virginia, settling at Arlington and buying a farm of 200 acres of 
land. 

Hudson V. Fidler is a machinist and a farmer. Belongs to the Missionary 
Baptist Church and is in politics a Democrat. 

ROBERT HENRY FIDLER, born December 13, 1865, son of William M. 
and Mary J. (Hudson) Fidler. His wife was a daughter of Loyal Y. McAvoy 
and Margaret E. Windle, who was a daughter of Fielding Windle and Nancy 
A. Young. 

Loyal Y. McAvoy was a son of James and Louisa (Young) McAvoy. 
Loyal McAvoy's children were : Rosa Ethel, Emma Louisa, Mary Roberta, John 
Fielding, Margaret Elizabeth, Sophronia and James Robert. 

The subject of this sketch married Mary Roberts McAvoy, June 22, 1887. 
His wife was born July 18, 1862, and their children are: Hugh Fielding, Bernice 
Gipsy, Mary Marguerite and Robert Doyle. 

Mr. Fidler is a merchant and machinist and owns a farm near Arlington, 
is a Baptist, is a musician, has been a leader in the Church choir for many years 
and is a Democrat in politics. 

WILLIAM FRANKLIN FIDLER was born July 23, 1849. The son of 
William Martin and Mary Jane (Hudson) Fidler of Virginia. 

The original name was Fielding, but by careless pronunciation it has become 
Fidler. The German spelling, Fiedler, is sometimes used. 

William Franklin Fidler was married October 29, 1874, to Mary Emma 
McAvoy, the daughter of James McAvoy and Louisa (Young) McAvoy. 
Louisa (Young) McAvoy was the daughter of Lydia Gould, who was the 
daughter of Martha Gilbert, who was the daughter of Esther Perkins, who was 
the daughter of Catherine Prifach. 



450 FAMILY HISTORY. 

James McAvoy was the son of John McAvoy and was raised in Bath County, 
Va. His great grandfather was born in Ireland, who when a school boy was 
enticed on board a U. S. Vessel and brought to the U. S. Children of the 
subject of this sketch: Victor Leigh, who died young, Clarence Hall, Blanche 
Katherina, Stanley Huff, Willard Livingstone. 

Clarence Hall married Annie Angold of Pueblo, Colorado. He is a travel- 
ing salesman. He was educated in the public schools, the Academy at Buck- 
hannon and the Mountain State Business College at Parkersburg. Stanley Huff 
is in the U. S. Railway Mail Service. 

Mr. Fidler is a contractor and carpenter. A member of the Missionary 
Baptist Church and a Prohibitionist in politics. 

GEORGE L. FISH, was born June ii, 1844, at Augusta, Oneida County, 
N. Y. Son of Charles and Jane Fish, who lived in that state from their early child- 
hood. The father of Charles Fish was one of the first settlers in that part of the 
state, having settled there in about the year 1800. George L. Fish remembers 
well, having heard his parents tell of their trials in the days of the early settlers. 
He was early schooled in the responsibilities of life, for, being the oldest son of a 
large family of children, he had to aid in maintaining the family. 

About the year 1856, he moved with his father's family, from New York 
State to East Townsend, about eight miles east of Norwalk, the County Seat of 
Huron County, Ohio and remained their until August 11, 1862, when he enlisted 
as a soldier in the Civil War, in the 123d Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His first 
introduction in the State of West Virginia was at Parkersburg in the fall of 
that year, at which place his regiment entered cars for Clarksburg, after laying 
there a short time, marched to Buckhannon and encamped near where his lumber 
yard, or that of the Alton Lumber Company is now located. He recalls the fact 
that Buckhannon was not as large then as it is today, and he then thought that 
he would not take the entire state as a gift and be obliged to live in it. 

In the year 1864 he was married to Miss Polly Hoover, and to them were born 
three children, two daughters and one son. 

At the close of the war he engaged in farming and fruit growing, at Col- 
lins, Huron County, Ohio, and continued in that line until about 1881, when he 
started in the Hardwood Lumber Business, in a small way, the purchase of the 
first timber involving the outlay of about twenty-five dollars, but in the spring 
of 1884, he moved to Cleveland, O., and launched out into a larger business. At 
that place he met with a reasonable degree of success. In the spring of 1890, 
he again came to Buckhannon. where he has taken great interest in its welfare 
and development. 

The Alton Lumber and Coal Company was formed to manufacture the 
timber purchased, in which firm he associated with him as partners, C. N. Royce 
of Jefferson, Ohio, and his son G. W. Fish. Later Mr. Royce retired from the 
CO- partnership and it was conducted by the remaining partners until January i, 
1903, at which time the Alton Lumber Company was formed in which G. W. 
Fish and B. W. Ackles were associated with him as partners. In February of 
the year following the Company was incorporated under the same name with Geo. 
L. Fish as president. Besides his operations in timber and lumber he has become 
interested in the development of Upshur County's coal and proving his confidence 
in its future he has added several hundred acres of coal rights to his original 
holdings. In this coal deal, he has also been joined by his son, under the firm 
name of Fish & Fish. 

In all of his enterprises he has met with success. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 451 

When about sixteen years old he started out in the Christian life and joined 
the Methodist Church and has always believed in and has tried to live an active 
Christian to this time. 

JOHN STROTHER FISHER, born in Rockingham County, Va., and edu- 
cated in Washington and Lee College, Lexington, Va, Was a teacher for several 
years after his graduation from college in Eastern Virginia. Was admitted to 
the bar while teaching and in the year 1858 came across the mountains to cast his 
future with the western portion of the state. 

He first located in Ritchie County, where he taught almost continuously until 
he came to Buckhannon. On settling in Buckhannon he began tne active practice 
of law, which he followed with an ambition and courage that soon made him one 
of the leaders of the local bar, which position he held until his death. 

Mr. Fisher was a close student, thorough scholar, successful lawyer and good 
citizen. His oratory was of the Henry Clay type. He served as Prosecuting 
Attorney of the county one term. In i860 he married Harriet Ann Arnold, 
daughter of Elijah and Prudence (Jackson) Arnold. His wife's mother was 
the daughter of George Jackson of Colonial reputation. 

Children: Wade Hampton, Maud Strother, Mary Arnold, Grace Lee, John 
Howard. 

GEORGE MERVIN FLEMING was bom on a farm near Fairmont, 
Marion County, Virginia, January i, 1848, a son of Benjamin F. and Rhoda 
Brooks Fleming. His grandfather, William Fleming, came with his parents 
to Western Virginia from Delaware in the early settlement of this section of 
country. The Flemings emigrated to Delaware and New Jersey from the North 
of Ireland, but were Norman descent and came to England from the Continent 
with William the Conqueror. On his mother's side Mr. Fleming is of unmixed 
Puritan descent. His grandfather, Rev. Asa Brooks, graduated from Williams 
College in 1815, and in 1816, came to Western Virginia with the New England 
colony which settled at French Creek, in what is now Upshur County, and was the 
Presbyterian pastor there until his death at Clarksburg in 1835, he being the 
pastor of both churches. Mr. Fleming's maternal grandmother was Mary Ever- 
ett Sumner, and belonged to the two distinguished Massachusetts families, whose 
names she bore. Her father was a soldier under Washington in the Revolution- 
ary War. 

Mr. Fleming graduated from Washington and Jefiferson College, with the 
second honor of his class, in 1871, and holds the degree of A. B. and A. M. from 
that institution. He taught in the Fairmont Normal School in 1871-1872, and in 
the West Liberty Normal School in 1872-1873. He graduated from Princeton 
Seminary in 1876, and studied law at the University of Michigan, at Ann 
Arbor in 1880-1881, immediately after which he was licensed to practice law by 
Supreme Court Judges, Alpheus F. Haymond, Thomas C. Green and Okey John- 
son, and at once entered upon the practice of that profession at Buckhannon. 

December 10, 1879, Mr. Fleming was united in marriage with Miss Fannie 
Edmiston, daughter of the late Judge Matthew Edmiston of Weston. She and 
Hon. Andrew Edmiston are the surviving members of that family. Mr. Fleming 
is a brother of ex"Governor A. B. Fleming and Judge Robert F. Fleming of Fair- 
mont and of Mrs. Lucie Fleming Stewart, now deceased. 

He spent some months in Buckhannon in 1875, and returned in 1876, and has 
resided here continuously since that time. He has been fortunate and successful 
in the practice of the law. He has at all times had as much business as he could 
take care of and his clients have been for the most part corporations and people 



452 FAMILY HISTORY. 

of more or less wealth. He has always discouraged small profitless contentions 
and has seldom entered into them on either side. He has been identified with 
various business interests, and as a whole his business investments have proved 
profitable. He has been a Democrat in politics, but has favored a protective 
tarifY, the gold standard in finance and a strong government, and therefore has 
not always been an enthusiast for his party candidates. He has never asked for or 
received office, elective or appointive. He has been a Mason since 1872-1873, is 
a Past Master, and is devoted to the order. In religion he is an old-fashioned 
Presbyterian. 

In the long years of his residence in Upshur County, Mr. Fleming has become 
identified with its people, and all their interests are his. He has studied people, 
and is an authority on genealogy and family relationships and characteristics. 
No native born citizen is more devoted to the County or more proud of its record 
for intelligence and temperance, and his property interests have anchored him 
to it for life. 

OTHO H. FLETCHER, son of G. C. Fletcher and Elizabeth Allen (Rollins) 
Fletcher, daughter of Hiram Rollins and Rachel (Pringle) Rollins, the daughter 
of William Pringle, born February 5, 1868. G. C. Fletcher, born in 1846, was a 
soldier in the Upshur Battery, and for fifteen years prior to his death in 1903, 
had been a sawmill man, which trade he turned over to his son, who still pursues it. 
Otho H. Fletcher's first wife was Hedasy Jane Goodwin, daughter of Clark j\I. 
Goodwin and Tersy (Barb) Goodwin. Children; Beatrice, born October 7, 1892; 
Charlotta M., born July 3, 1894; C. M., born April 21, 1896; Tersy Elizabeth, born 
September 26, 1900. 

His second wife was Landonia Goodwin, whose maiden name was Debarr. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON FLINT. Carpenter, son of Joseph and Mary 
B. (Wolf) Flint, born September 3, 1849, on Hackers Creek, Lewis County. 
The father of this sketch was the son of Joseph Flint, Sr., and Mary Wires, 
emigrants from Germany to Harrison County, Va. Was a minister in the 
Methodist Protestant Church and served as Magistrate of Upshur County in 1853 
and was twice married. First, Sarah J. Hinzeman and second Mary B. Wolf. 

Children by second wife: Matilda Jane, wife of Eugene Harland ; Phoebe 
Elizaeth, wife of Stickley Casto ; Taymer Louvenia. wife of George Swisher ; 
Alice IMalinda, wife of James Hinzeman ; Abram Stockton, married Emma Roby ; 
John William, married Ollie Rohr and S. A. Talbot; George W., married Sena 
E. Casto, daughter of Joel and Jemima (Post) Casto and Louella V. Johnson, 
daughter of Albert and Mary (Radabaugh) Johnson. 

"bertha foster, born .\ugust 27. 1880, daughter of John and Virginia, 
(Patrick) Slaughter, now a resident of Salem, W. Va. Married John Hefner in 
1898, and Samuel Foster, son of George Foster, to which union two children 
were born : Ira Dayton and George Byrne. 

FOUNTAIN LEE FOSTER, native of Upshur County, bora April 8, 
1876, son of John A. Foster and Elizabeth Strader, his grandfather on his 
father's side came from Albermarle County, Va. His mother was a daughter of 
Isaac Strader and granddaughter of John Strader and wife, whose maiden name 
was Post. 

John Sirader had two brothers, Michael and Christopher, who moved to 
Ohio, leaving John a settler on Little Sand Run on the Buckhannon River. 

John A. Foster was a soldier in the Union Army and the father of eleven 
children whose names are : Isaac, Alexander, Asa T., John M., Charles, Benjamin 
F., FountainL., Rebecca, Catherine and David, the last two are dead. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 453 

Mr. Foster was raised on a farm. On January 2, igoo, he married Susan 
S. Reese, the daughter of Samuel Reese and Caroline Debarr, both of Upshur 
County. 

JOHN T. FOSTER, minister of the U. B. Church, the son of WilHam N. 
Foster and Sarah Matilda Matheney and the grandson of Thomas Foster and 
Elizabeth Browning. His mother was daughter of John Matheney and Annie 
Wade, the daughter of Otho Wade of Highland County, Virginia. He was born 
February 12, 1872, on Little Sand Run, and was educated in the Public Schools 
until 1890, when he became a student of the Normal and Classical Academy, 
graduating therefrom June 17, 1897. He taught school five years, at Tallmans- 
ville, Sunny Point, Macedonia, Hickory Flat and Queens. On January 24, 1887, 
he united himself with the United Brethren Church at Mt. Washington, and on 
April 7, 1894, at Mt. Heron, was granted license to preach. He joined the 
Conference at Belington September 15, 1897, he was ordained to eldership in the 
church at West Union, September 12, 1900, Bishop E. B. Kiphart presiding. 

He married Rhubirdie Tenney, daughter of Watson and Bettie Tenney, of 
Tallmansville, October 5, 1900, and to this union were born two daughters, Stacy 
yiyrvll, born September 9, 1902; Racy Byrrill born June i, 1904. 

His first wife died, April 12, 1905. He was pastor on the Alton Circuit for 
ten years and is now serving his second year as pastor at Adamston Station. 

His second wife was Miss Rosa Drummond, the daughter of Edgar and 
Martha Drummond, natives of Harrison County, whom he married September 
24, 1906. She was born January 18, 1876, in Harrison County, was student in 
Normal and Classical Academy and the West Virginia Conference Seminary, 
taught school for six terms, three of which were in Buckhannon and resigned her 
position there to work in the office of T. B. Drummond & Co., three and one half 
years before her marriage. 

MINTER KIRK FOSTER, son of Isaac and Sarah Frances (Fletcher) 
Foster, born February 7, 1877. Married Dora Belle Lynch, November 3, 1897, 
daughter of David and Cassie N. (Debarr) Reese. 

Children: Olie Odell, born September 13, 1898; Olita Blanche, born Novem- 
ber 24, igoo; Otis Dovle, born September 13, 1904. 

WILLIAM FOSTER, employe of the B. &0. Railroad Company. Son 
of George and Jerusha (Hiner) Foster, born May 29, 1862. And married 
Charlotte Price, daughter of William and Elizabeth (England) Price. 

Children: Roy, Minnie, Liddy, Allie, Blanche. 

SARAH FRANCES (LOWE) FRONSMAN, born in Albermarle County, 
Va., and moved to Barbour County. Married Nelson J. Fronsman, a soldier in 
Company M, 3d West Virginia Cavalry. 

Children : Lou, Louie, John, George, Cora May, Charles, Lincoln Decatur, 
Sarah Ann, Grace Elizabeth and Jennie V. 

LIFE AND RECOLLECTIONS OF THOMAS GAWTHROP. 

On March 7, 1907, one month and nine days before the closing of his 
eightieth year, Mr. Gawthrop, after great insistence and with much reluctance, 
sat down in the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. W. Tenney of Ten Mile, W. Va., 
and described in strong unpolished language, memories of the past, instances of 
his life and history of the Upshur Militia. 

I was born and raised in Harrison now Taylor County, two miles west of 
the Reform School at Prunytown. The date of my birth is fixed at March 16, 
1827, and I married Catherine A. Whiting near Fetterman, October 4, 1848. My 



454 FAMILY HISTORY. 

grandfather, Thomas, came from Hampshire County in 1800, and setttled on 
Lost Run, then entirely in the woods. He married EHzabeth Hiet, of Hampshire 
County and my father, James, was born there October 16, 1798. My grand- 
father was born 1772, was a native of Hampshire County and was the son of 
James, who was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1743, and James' father, Allen, 
was born in Nottingham, 1709. 

My grandfather died at the age of 58, my grandmother died in her 95th 
year. My father died in his 85th year and my mother, a daughter of Dr. John 
Waldo, of Vermont, lived until she was in her 90th year. 

When my grandparents came to Harrison County, they brought with them 
two good rifles and each of them could use them with precision, and on one 
occasion, when my grandfather was away several miles at a log rolling, my grand- 
mother was putting out her washing at a creek some distance from her home. 
She heard a noise across in the field, which had been cleared the previous year, 
and on looking up saw a monster panther seize a lamb, one of the few they had 
secured as a start for a flock of sheep. She took her child and ran with all possible 
speed to the house, shut the child indoors, got down the gun, ran up to the creek, 
took as steady an aim as possible and fired at the panther, wounding him so seri- 
ously that he was unable to get up from his crouched position over the dead lamb. 
She hurriedly reloaded her gun and at this instant saw a man coming up the creek 
to whom she called and told what she had done, and where the panther lay in 
agony. She told the man to take a handspike and finish the animal, which he 
did. The panther measured ten feet from nose to end of the tail. 

After my marriage I rented the old Whiting place for the year 1849. I found 
it impossible to make more than a bare living. John W. Blue had a good tavern, 
which had been vacated by his brother William Blue, who had married my wife's 
oldest sister, and he desired a tenant. He ofifered us $100 to move in and do the 
house work and other chores for a year. We accepted. This $100 I invested in 
land on the Kanawha river, for a home and to it we moved after our years contract 
with Mr. Blue. 

During the month of January, 1851, with the aid of three others, who had 
settled here one or two years previous, I built a cabin, on this land and on the ist 
day of February, my wife and I began housekeeping at home. 

A Baptist church had been organized by J. W. Alvis at a log school house, 
near where Rock Cave now is and the same house had been used by the Methodist 
with Robert Curry as leader. With 13 other persons, we organized a Baptist 
Church at Rock Cave in 1850, in April, 185 1, I joined, and soon we united in a 
Union Sabbath school during the summer time. After Brother Alvis left. Rev. 
Brown, of Buckhannon, and Charles Parker supplied the Church for a time. 

Then wc secured services of Elder Aaron Barnet, who remained with us 
until the breaking out of the war. I well remember one of his meetings, in which 
30 persons made profession and only three proved false. 

After Rev. Barnet came J. W. Carter, who remained witli us until the first 
two years of the Civil War. 

In August, 1862, an order was published for the Upshur Militia to meet 
at Buckhannon, on a date I cannot remember. Colonel A. C. Moore, I think it 
was, drilled us there and some government officers, whose names I cannot recall 
made us a speech or two, after which we were dismissed with orders to go into 
camp at Rock Cave for daily drill. Our rations were sent to us for a while at 
Rock Cave daily and then we were required to break camp and board at home and 
meet for drill at regular stated times and thus kept under some authority till that 



FAMILY HISTORY. 455 

Saturday, the 12th day of September, 1863, one of the stated drill times, when we 
were in line ready for drill and officers were designating pickets for the various 
roads and we found ourselves surrounded by a few hundred confederates, under 
Major Kesler. Militia suddenly began to break rank and ran for a gap, where 
no one was in sight. Confederate signal was given for charge and the first volley 
fired, shivered the knee of Mr. Samples my right hand man. Three more volleys 
were fired as they approached and our men hearing bullets whistling over head 
fell and thus only three men were wounded, the other two being John Vincent and 
George Armstrong, the former on the back of the shoulder and the other on the 
neck under his coat collar, both by spent minnie balls. 

My wife having gone with me to do some trading at the store on that drill 
day and seeing the men all excited her so that it caused epilepsy, which resulted 
in her death six years later. Mine and my wife's horses were captured, but by 
the aid of some of her good lady friends, Major Kesler consented to give up her 
beast. 

That evening and night we were marched out to where Cleveland postoffice 
now is, with guards holding to our coats, and there we encamped, and on Sunday 
our captors killed a beef and got roasting ears from a field of late corn and each 
of us had to prepare our meat and corn by our own camp fire, this was our a, b, c, 
of a prisoner's life. I have no recollection of any bread till Robert McCray met us, 
I think, near a Mr. Bofifman's with a few cakes of wheat bread for a few old fel- 
low hunters of whom Jesse B. Nixon was one, and he got a good chunk for me. 
The next bread we got was at Big Springs, where a squad of W. L. Jackson's men 
came to our camp with a supply of rations. We were encamped here in a church 
and guarded for a few hours and then marched to the Court House at Warm 
Springs to spend the night. From here we were taken to the Milborough depot 
and put on a train for Staunton and next day landed at Old Castle Thunder. 
There we were put up in the walls of a large brick pen with no cover over it. 

I with many others had thin summer clothing on and got terribly chilled, 
took a very severe cold and I soon got such a dreadful cough I got but little sleep 
day or night. Our food was the customery soups, bean and pea soup, occasion- 
ally some cabbage and bread, and once in a while a little piece of meat. We had 
a sawdust bed to lay on and it often contained inhabitants familiar to all soldier 
life. 

A few days after our arrival in prison we found in the Richmond Enquirer 
an account of so many prisoners captured and brought out of Upshur County and a 
sorry set of fellows they were, which we bore as best we could. ' Three friends 
of mine seeing my name in the list came and had me called out to the reception 
room to get a reliable history of our captivity. They all pledged themselves to 
help us and to secure our release on parole if possible. These men were Hon. 
E. J. Armstrong, C. W. Newlon and Lawyer James Neson, all good men. Owing 
to the fact that some of our company had been bushwackers and as such had killed 
some of the confederate soldiers our good friends petition for a parole was denied. 
I then asked them to try for an exchange, but this failed, meanwhile I was grow- 
ing weaker and had concluded I could not live ten days longer. I would not con- 
sent to go to the hospital. Finally my friend advised me as a friend to allow him 
to get me out to be conscripted. I told him plainly I could not fight for slavery. 
I hated it from a boy. Nothing better I relented of this decision and acted upon 
his advice, in order to save my life and to return to the endearments of home. 
This friend gave me considerable money with which to supply the needs of myself 
-and my suflfering companions. A part of this money was returned to me and a 



456 FAMILY HISTORY. 

part was never returned, as the great number died and their friends and relatives 
wrere never asked to make good. 

Well, 20 of the compnay were taken out on the recommendation of friends 
for conscript, but when Major Berkley issued guns ten refused, and they were put 
in the guard house for a week. After a week we were all brought into line again 
and told that those who refused guns were to be sent back to prison and we were 
given our preference of giving up our guns or going back to prison. We decided 
to go back to prison, and then Major told us that four were exempt from military 
duties, two tanners, one blacksmith and one shoemaker. I asked to remain and 
work as a shoemaker and offered my boots as a testimonial of my work. 

When Meade was crowding Lee at Fredericksburg, we were marched to 
Richmond, November 29, 1863, and there took train for Hanover Junction, 25 
miles distant, where we waited for further orders. After getting three hours 
sleep I awoke with a strong impression that God had opened the way for us to go 
home. My plans were matured for the escape by daylight. 

The following day we would draw three days' rations. I was cook for six 
men. On Tuesday, December ist, we drew and cooked three days' rations, and at 
the moon rise, myself and four companions gave the camp a silent farewell. We 
put in the night faithfully traveling in the direction from whence we came. 
Guided by the stars, which were ever visible, except one cloudy night, we fared 
reasonably well. During this dark night we wandered from our course several 
degrees. One of our men gave way through exhaustion and we had to help him 
until we reached Cow Pasture River, where his uncle took him in and gave him 
prompt medical treatment. We reached home December 19, 1863, on Saturday 
night, rested Sunday and went to Buckhannon Monday to report the condition 
of our fellow prisoners. Out of 69 sent to prison, but 23 lived to get home. 
From the loss of horses, etc., it took me seven years to recover. My wife was 
raising six out of seven children, three boys, one A. Judson, now in California, 
the other two J. A. and S. B. are well known, one daughter married Albert Clark- 
son of Preston County, one died, single, at 26 years of age, and one is the wife 
of A. W. Tenney and the mother of eight children. 

In 1871 I married for my second wife Mrs. Mary C. Wright, of Cleveland, 
Webster County, and to this union were born two children, a son and daughter. 
The son died of spinal fever in his tenth year. The daughter, Elizabeth Trythena, 
is the wife of Ithiel Neelev and lives at Carter, the mother of five children. 

THOMAS GEORGE GIBSON, born March 9, 1858, in Baltimore County, 
Md.,son of Thomas Gibson and Mary A. Major, whose father was a native of 
Ireland. 

The subject of this sketch came to Barbour County in 1898, as a railroad 
contractor and foreman. Was contractor of that branch of the B. & O. R. R. 
from Lemley Junction to Century, was also contractor on the Cincinnati and Ohio 
R. R. in Boone County, West Virginia. Foreman on the Electric road from Fair- 
mont to Clarksburg, just completed. 

His first wife was Marcena Perell, of Maryland, daughter of Samuel Perell 
and their children are: Mary Margaret, born 1884, now a resident of Baltimore 
City ; Janie Elizabeth, born 1887, now a resident of Baltimore. 

His first wife died in 1880 in Maryland. His second wife was Lucy Rohr, 
daughter of Henry M., Rohr and Jennie Lance of Upshur County, and their child- 
ren are : Charles Rex, born 1903 ; Beautis, born 1906. 

A. A. GILLUM. Levi Thomas Gillum was a native of Albermarle County, 
Va. His wife was a native of Luray County, Va. To them were born teir 



FAMILY HISTORY. 457 

children, John Wesley, Mary Margaret, Ellen, Indabo, Sylvanus Markwood, Mary 
Catherine and Jerome Osborne, George, James Thomas and the subject of this 
sketch. 

I was born in Highland County, Va. September 12, 1844. Came to Upshur 
with father in 1858, learned the blacksmith trade and worked at it, until May 1861. 
On June 22, 1861, I enlisted as a private in Company E, 3d W. Va., Vols., under 
Captain S. B. Phillips, to serve three years or during the war. In 1862, I received 
a disability and was sent to the hospital at David's Island, N. Y., and remained 
there till January 7, 1863, when W. B. Smallridge and I were discharged (Small- 
ridge is the man that was shot in the heart and carried the ball for thirty-seven 
years, until the doctor found it by a post mortem examination). Ater returning 
home I was compelled to hide in the woods and under rocks and drag out a life 
that was obliged to force me back into the army. So I enlistted under a man 
by the name of Metheney and was ordered to Grafton to be examined. I was 
rejected on account of disability I received between Culpepper and Bull Run. 
Returning to Buckhannon, Company M was being organized and I gave my name 
to this company, was screened by the recruiting officer, who just before examina- 
tion day gave me a pass home and when I returned to Company M, the exami- 
nation of recruits had been completed and I was allowed to enlist. I served in 
Company M, 3d West Virginia Cavalry under Captain J. W. Heavner and was 
present and carried off the field of batttle, Major Hurst, when he was wounded, 
was at the Battle of Winchester, where my horse fell down, threw me off and 
ran away. Soon I saw an infantryman with my horse. I dismounted him and 
started to hunt my company, but was captured by one of Mosby's men in disguise. 
We reached Richmond as prisoners of war, after various vicissitudes, on the 
2ist of September and placed in Libby Prison, where we were searched, money 
and knives and fire-arms were taken away ; before we were searched, I was 
allowed to go up stairs and while there I rolled up part of my money and put it in 
my mouth. The officer saw that my jaw was too full and made me cough it up. 
I was moved from Libby Prison in a few weeks to Bell Island where a small 
tent had been provided for every eight prisoners. While on Bell Island the 
weather began to get cold and scarcity of clothes compelled us to take our tents 
and manufacture them into pantaloons, and for this act we were starved until 
we informed upon the person or soldier who committed this act. That soldier 
was unmercifully punished. Finally I was taken to Akens Landing and was 
there paroled and sent to Annapolis, Maryland. At this place I was given a fur- 
lough for thirty days to return home and visit my family. After this time I re- 
turned, joined my company and remained with it until I was discharged at 
Wheeling on June 30, 1865. I was made a corporal of my company. After 
the war closed I returned to my wife and companion and to us were born four 
children, three boys and one girl, Arodius Ervin, married Ida Williamson for 
his first wife and Virginia Carpenter for his second wife. Ulysses Grant married 
Jane Ogden, Sarah Armitta, married John E. Simmons, and James Emmitt. 

I am a member of the United Brethren Church, having joined it when a small 
boy in Highland County, Va., when I first came to Upshur there was no church 
of my denomination convenient to my home, therefore, I allied myself with the 
M. E. Church at Bethlehem on the Holly Grove charge. I am a Republican in 
politics. 

GLENN GILLUM, son of Markwood S. Gillum and Elizabeth Potts, daugh- 
ter of Major Potts, was born May 11, 1879. Was raised on a farm, has a saw 
mill and is now an employe of the 13. & O. Railroad Company. His wife was Alma 



458 ^ FAMILY HISTORY. 

E. Kettle, daughter of Carl Kettle, whom he married September 2, 1900, and their 
children are, Violet, Vera and Staunton. 

ANDREW JACKSON GLADWELL, born June 30, 1843, in Hardy County, 
Va. Son of James Gladwell and Eliza Bean, a daughter of Andrew Bean of 
Hampshire County. 

His father settled on the waters of Indian Camp in i860. He was a soldier 
in the Mexican War and a pensioner for many years prior to his death. His 
family numbered eleven, of which the subject of this sketch is the second. 

Andrew Jackson Gladwell was raised on a farm and in 1862 enlisted in 
Company E, 3d West Virginia Infantry and after eighteen months service therein 
was discharged with a disability. He re-enlisted in Company B, loth West Vir- 
ginia Infantry under Captain J. L. Gould and with this company till the close of 
the war. He was wounded at Winchester, September 19, 1864, by receiving a 
shot passing through both thighs. He now draws a pension of $17 a month, 
and has a brother, E. C. Gladwell of Kansas, a member of Company B, who also 
draws a pension. 

In 1868 he married Amanda C. Huffman, a daughter of Peter and Margaret 
(Brooks) Huffman, of Barbour County. 

To this union have been born thirteen children, of which nine are living: 
Mary Jane, wife of J. N. Duke; Nola, wife of Littleton Zickefoose; Eva, wife of 
Sobiscay Cutright; Lela, wife of Ott Morgan; Pearl, wife of James Smallridge; 
Alice, wife of Frank Eckard ; Annie, wife of Thomas Wilson ; Artie and Herbert, 
at home. 

Mr. Gladwell has had two children killed by accidents one by a falling tree 
and one by a railroad train. 

The town of Alton was founded by Mr. Gladwell and to him is due the credit 
of interesting A. C. Pringle in building the first mill and keeping the first store, 
in getting G. W. Simon, first resident physician, in building the first church, U. B., 
in opening the first hotel by Serena Wolfe. 

He has been and is the postmaster at Alton, the only others being G. W. 
Simon, A. D. T. Pringle and Frank Weekley. 

He has held other political ofiices, has been Justice of the Peace eight years, 
which position he now holds and Notary Public. He owns 600 acres of land, on 
which he raises live stock and cultivates orchards. 

ANDREW GOULD, is a farmer and saw mill man of Meade District, was 
born September 12, 1863, the son of Joseph and Lois (Hows) Gould and the 
grandson of Nathan Gould, Jr. He was educated in the common schools of 
Upshur County, and began working on a sawmill about the tiine the Buckhannon 
River boom and lumber company began its operation. He was promoted from 
one position to another until he became head sawyer of the Stockert Saw Mill, 
which position he has held since. 

He married Naoma Loudin, daughter of James L. and Mariah (Tilman) 
Loudin. 

Children: Londa May, Lonie Grey, Lula Maud, Lewis G. and James A. 

BENJAMIN GOULD, born March 10, 1822, and died December 19, 1901. 
Was a son of Captain Gilbert Gould and Mehitable (Taylor) Gould. Captain 
Gould was a soldier in the War of 1812. His wife was Eliza (Dustin) Morgan, 
daughter of Ezra and Rhoda (Bryant) Morgan, to whom he was married October 
26, 1843. Her death occurred February 23, 1889. 

Children: Charles Henrico, born August 4, 1844, was a soldier in Company 



FAMILY HISTORY. 459 

M, Third West Virginia Cavalry, and died with fever June 5, 1865, at Alexandria, 
Va. His remains are now interred in the French Creek Cemetery. 

Rhoda Ellen, born May 26, 1847, was a teacher in the Public Schools of 
County till January 12, 1882, when she married Henry J. Hefner, and their child- 
ren were: Bessie, Laura, and Henry Stanley. She died January 3, 1894. 

Arthur Morgan, born January 26, 1853, married Louisa Sexton, daughter 
of Freeman E., and Virginia M. (Graig) Sexton, November 21, 1889. 

Albert Granville, born January 13, 1857, married Sarah E. Britton, of Illinois, 
November 26, 1885. Children : Blanche Lillian, William Roscoe and Agnes. Percy 
married Ina Cooper, of Lewis County. 

FREEMAN GOULD, second son of Nathan was born near Charlemonts on 
Deerfield River, Mass., April 7, 1810. 

Dorcas Ward was born in Cold Rain Township, on Deerfield River, February 
13, 1808. 

Freeman immigrated to Meade Township, Upshur County, W. Va., in his 
6th year, and his w .e t . Beverly, Randolph County, in her i6th year. They were 
married February 21, 1832. 

Calvin Curtis Gould, their oldest son, was born November 28, 1832, near 
Altson, Edwards County, 111., and was raised on a farm. 

At 23 he graduated from Hillsborough Academy, Pocahontas County, W. 
Va., and at 27 from Washington College, Lexington, Va., standing third in his 
class, A. B. After one year at the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny, 
Pa., he went to Beverly, Randolph County, W. Va., to teach during vacation. The 
Confederate Army came between him and home, arrested him six times and tried 
him four times as a spy. 

August 27, 1861, he married Elina Cynthia Reid, aged 22 years, near Browns- 
burg, Rockbridge County, Va., and took her out of the S. C. A. via Nashville, 
Tenn., to his childhood home in Illinois. 

After teaching three months to replenish their pockets, they went back to 
Allegheny, where he graduated with his. class of 1863, and where on January i, 
his son W. P. Gould was born. 

He took charge of Wayne and Chester Churches, May, 1863, having been 
licensed by the Presbytery of Pittsburg, August 27, 1862, he was ordained by the 
date he has held the following charges form one to seven years each, viz : Ship- 
pewa. Canal Fulton, Wadsworth and Marshallville till October 1872. 

His wife dying that year and his nervous system giving way, his physicians 
ordered him to get out of the study and out of that climate for five years. 
Immigrating to Upshur County, he settled on the river, eight miles above Buck- 
hannon, where he engaged in building and running mills, preaching all the while. 

From 1873 to 1886 he held the following charges from one to seven years 
each, viz: French Creek, Lebanon, Walkersville, Gnatty Creek, Glenville, Burns- 
ville and Sutton. At Sutton he owned and edited the Mountaineer for three 
years by which the licensed liquor traffic was driven out of the County for 26 
years. 

Immigrating to Cottageville, Ky., he had charge of Ebeneza, Murphysville and 
Valley churches for three years. 

Returning to Ohio he spent a year in the Presbytery of St. Clairsville as 
Evangelist, and then became pastor of Rendville and Oakfield churches for four 
years, in the Presbytery of Athens. 

Removing to Amesville, Athens County, Ohio, he had charge from 1891 to 
1897. 



460 FAMILY HISTORY. 

From 1898 to 1905 he ran a boarding house and market garden, preaching 
only occasionally, having received from his Presbytery the degree of H. R. 

In August, 1905, he returned to Buckhannon, W. \'a.. to educate his three 
unmarried children, where he published his pamphlet, "Who were the Mound- 
builders ? " His only other published work is the tract Xo. 241 of The Presbyter- 
ian Board of Publication, "John's Baptism Not Christian Baptism," printed while 
he was in the junior class at college. 

In the mountains of Braxton County, W. \'a., he turned over to the Federal 
Courts three clans of "Moonshiners," and in Lewis County, Ky., two "blind 
tigers." At the muzzle of his revolver in the latter county, he arrested a heavily 
armed desperado, fighting in church, and as attorney attended his trial, with 
five others in the Squire's court, securing fines of from $20 to $35 from each. 

His other children by his first wife are: Ida Belle, born December 16, 1869; 
Rosa Lee, born September 13, 1871. 

Lydia, daughter of Henry Fred Taylor was born in Upshur County, W. \'a., 
July 17, 1853. Calvin C. and Lydia were married June 11, 1874. To them were 
born, Ethel L., and Frank S.. at Boulder, L'pshur County, W. \'a.. Almira D. 
and Addie G. at Sutton, Braxton County \V. Va., and Freeman E. and Mani- P., 
twins, in Lewis Countv, Kv., July 16, 1888. 

CHANDLER D.' GOULD, son of Gilbert T. and EHzabeth (Loomis) Gould, 
bom May 9. 1840. Black Lick on the waters of French Creek. Was educated in 
the common schools. 

At the outbreak of the war, June 27, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, 3d West 
\'irginia Infantry, and re-enlisted in the same company on Januan*- 29, 1864, was 
mustered out ^lay 22, 1866, at Fort Leavenworth. Kansas, and was given his dis- 
charge June I. 1866. at ^^'heeling. ^^'as wounded at the Second Bull Run Battle 
and never went into a battle without an invitation. He operates and manages the 
onlv broom factorv in the town of Buckhannon. 

' JAMES BARTLETT GOULD, bom May 16. 1849. son of Aaron Gould, 
Jr., and Calysta Bartlett. and grand son of Aaron Gould, Sr., and Lyddie Gray, 
emigrants from Massachusetts in 1810, and builders of the first grist mill in 
Meade Township. Was raised on a farm and as a farmer and did fami until 
1905, when he moved to Buckhannon and became General Manager of the Anchor 
Mills. His only sister, Nancy \'. Gould married Henn,' J. Heavner. 

Married Emily M. Talbot, daughter of George and Sarah (Wilson) Talbot, 
August 22, 187.1. 

Children: Alta C. \'erna L.. Lunda D., and Jessie ^lalissa. 

GILBERT T. GOULD, born 1814 and died in 1888, was the son of Gilbert 
and Mehitable ( Taylor) Gould. 

Children: Loomis J.. Chandler D.. Amy S.. Arminta M.. Mary E.. Almira 
E., Lucebia A., Lotten D., and Clara A. 

JAMES FRANCESCO GOULD was born January 28. 1853. and was the 
child of William Oliver Gould and Rebecca Smith. His brothers and 
sisters are : Dexter. George Dallas. John ^^'., Mary and Fidelia. On May 6, 
1874, he married Emma Lewis, daughter of Teter Lewis and Betsy Abbott, and to 
them were born .-\.da, wife of Robert Sumers and Madge. 

Mr. Gould for twenty-five }ears owned a farm on the waters of Stone Coal, 
but now lives on Brushv Fork in the Tohn J. Reger homestead. 

MARSHALL GOULD, is a native of L'pshur County and the son of Nathan 
Gould, by his second wife, Samantha (Phillips') Burr, the widow of Martin Burr, 
Sr. Is the oldest of a family of eight children, was raised on a fami and left 



FAMILY HISTORY. 461 

the farm to engage in the milling business on the waters of French Creelc, at the 
postoffice now bearing his name. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, 3d West 
Virginia Infantry tmder Captain S. B. Phillips, was made Second Lieutenant of 
that Company, served during the war, was honorably discharged, now drawing 
a pension. 

His first wife was Celesta Perry, daughter of EHas and Deliah (Phillips) 
Perry. Their children were: Bertha, wife of James Brady; Delia, wife of Samuel 
Cutright ; Albert L., married Ella Loudin. 

His second wife was Celia Abbott, daughter of John and Ruth (Brady) 
Abbott. 

PERCY BENJAMIN GOULD, born February 7, 1867, and married October 
4, 1900, to Ivy Dell Cooper, daughter of William Martin and Amanda Elizabeth 
(Summers) Cooper. He is the youngest son and youngest child. 

Child, Arthur Benjamin, born November 7, 1901. 

SCHUYLER HART GOULD, son of Daniel Gould, grandson of Aaron, 
Jr., the great grandson of Aaron, Sr., who came to French Creek from New Eng- 
land in 1808. His mother was Louisa Smith. He married Ann V. Hall, daughter 
of Ezra Hall and Martha Anderson and their children are : Rosetta L., wife of 
Henry J. Crites, Otho, who married Malissa Lanham, and Martha Bulah, at home. 
He is a farmer of Buckhannon District, located on the Buckhannon plateau, near 
the Reger's mill. He is a Methodist in religion and a Republican in politics. 

SILAS GOODEN, born March 27, 1864. The son of James and Elizabeth 
(Hufifman) Gooden. He married Rebecca Buckey of Randolph County, to which 
union were born ten children, whose names are : Nola May, James Coleman. 
Frank, Nancy Jane, Virgie Dove, Leva Ann, Viola Columbia, Polly, Mollie 
and Dorthy. 

Mr. Gooden is an energetic farmer of Washington District, and very influen- 
tial in his community. He is now serving a second term as Justice of the Peace 
of his Magisterial District. His postoffice address is Queens. 

SANFORD GRAHAM the subject of this sketch is of Scotch-Irich extrac- 
tion. He was born in Preston County, where most of his life was spent until the 
year 1885, when he went to what was then Montana Territory. After spending 
about two years there he returned to his native state, married and located in 
Grafton, Taylor County, and in 1889 moved to Buckhannon where he accepted 
work with the West Virginia Academy as teacher in the Commercial Department. 
Three years later he gave up his work in the Academy and accepted the posi- 
tion of teller in the Traders National Bank where he is still employed and of 
which he is now cashier. 

He was recorder for South Buckhannon for three and a half years, and has 
been a member of the Board of Education of Buckhannon, Independent District, 
for nearly eight years. 

JOB EDWIN GREEN, a native of Harrison County, born June 18, 1848. 
Son of Lewis Green, a native of Pennsylvania. The Greens are of Irish descent. 
His mother's maiden name was Betsy Henderson, daughter of Dr. Henderson, 
who moved from Harrison County to Boston, Mass., when his daughter was very 
young. He left the daughter with her uncle, William Bell, who raised her, as a 
member of his own family. His grandfather was John Green, always a resident 
of Pennsylvania. His father moved to Upshur County, in 1862, settling on 
Turkey Run, on the farm now owned by John Shoemaker. 

He was married three times, his first wife was Julia Jackson and their child- 
ren were William, Marcellia and Mary Martha. His second wife was Betsy Hen- 



462 FAMILY HISTORY. 

derson and their children were, Job E., Adam H., Simeon, and Louisa Jane. His 
third wife was Mariah Loudin. 

Job E. married Ella Cockerill, October 20, 1881, and their child was Ray W. 
His second wife, Mary Virginia Cockerill and their children are, Guy Wilson, 
Lucy Ella, Even M., James T., and Merrill. 

He is a farmer, owning one hundred and one acres on Brushy Fork. 

WYATT RUFUS GREGORY, was born December 28, 1870, and was 
married Alay 28, i8go, to Minnie Eliza Sines, who was born April 9, 1875, 
daughter of David Sines. 

Children: Ezra Clarence, born April 3, 1891 ; Bessie Ethel, born January 
25, 1893; George Washington, born July 27, 1895, "^i^d April 9, 1896; Fannie 
Idona, born April 18, 1897; Carrie Permelia, born August 7, 1899; Hetty Naomi 
Maze, born September 22, 1901 ; Minnie Agnes, born October i, 1903; Amy 
Adeline, born January 5, 1906. 

Mr. Gregory is a member of the German Baptist Church. Is a Democrat 
in politics. 

DR. WILSON OSBORNE GRIM, born March 17, 1862, on the waters of 
the Middle Fork River, son of Edward and Julianne (Osborne) Grim and the 
grandson of Wilson Osborne. Raised on a farm and worked there until he was 
16 years of age. Owing to the fact that his mother died when he was three years 
of age his father was remarried. Began teaching school in the public schools of 
Upshur County and continued this profession until he was 25 years of age, when 
he concluded to specialize for life work and thus took himself to a Medical College 
at Cincinnati, the Electric Medical Institute of that city, from which he gradu- 
ated June I, 1886. He returned home immediately and began the practice of his 
profession at Rock Cave after remaining there for a few months he moved to 
Tallmansville, where he practiced two years and then moved to Ten Mile. In 
1897, he moved to Buckhannon and practiced medicine there four years. 

In 1901 he returned to Ten Mile and went into the lumber business, which 
he has been following closely and energetically since. 

On the 14th day of July, 1887, he married Minnie J. Wingfield, daughter 
of Nelson and Salina (Harlan) Wingfield, and to this marriage have been born 
five children ; four sons and one daughter, of whom three sons and one daughter 
are living, whose names are Fred, Wilson, Toad, Ina Lee. 

CLAR.A GROSE, daughter of David M. and Sousanna May Jackson, born 
June 27, 1870, Braxton County. Married Grose. 

Children: Lora L., born February 6, 1887; Allie May, born August 12, 1896; 
Luther W., born January 19, i88q; Olive Mary, born July 12, 1899; Lafayette, 
born December 18, 1890; Geneva Bell, born August 3, 1901 ; Lloyd, born August 
10, 1893; Wilma Lee, born March 11, 1904. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON GROSE, a farmer of Buckhannon District, 
owns 79j4 acres of land on Bridge Run. near Lorentz, is a Republican in politics 
and the son of Samuel Grose and Polly Hoover, both natives of Bath County, Ya. 
His parents immigrated to Harrison County before the war and a little later 
on in the fifties, settled in Upshur. In his father's family were nine children, 
whose names are: John, William, dead; Catherine, wife of J. Brake; Ann, wife 
of J. L. Loudin; Joseph and Susanna, both dead; Paulina, wife of C. M. B. 
Thorpe; Sallie, wife of John Potts and the subject of this sketch, who married 
Phoebe Allman, the daughter of Abram Allman and Barbara Cutright. the 
daughter of Peter Cutright and Mary Helmick. Mr. Grose has two children, 
Roberta May, born April 7, 1881, wife of W. J. Allman; Charley Columbus. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 463 

JOHN A. GROSE, a farmer. Son of Samuel and Mary (Hoover) Grose 
of Bath County, Va., moved to West Virginia in 1848, and at the outbreak of 
the war enlisted in Company B, loth West Virginia Infantry under Captains 
Morgan and Gould. Married Nancy J. Allman, daughter of Abram and Barbara 
(Cutright) Allman, December 17. 1876. Children: Edward Rutherford, Silvester 
Carson, Arthur Garfield, Willie Wilbur, Annie Maud. 

SILVESTER CARSON GROSE, is the second son of John A. Grose of 
Sago, West Virginia. In boyhood and young manhood, he gave all his spare 
moments that could be spared from farm duties to reading and studying, thus he 
was enabled to complete his public school course and prepare himself for the. 
West Virginia Conference Seminary, which institution he entered and from which 
he graduated a few years ago. He was immediately appointed First Assistant 
of the Cairo Public Schools and one year afterwards was promoted to the 
superintendency of the same, which position he still holds. 

CHARLES MORGAN GROVES, is a farmer of Union District, was born 
June 14, 1833. The son of John and Elizabeth Grant Groves. At the outbreak 
of the Civil War he enlisted as a soldier in Company F, 15th West Virginia Infan- 
try, and was made First Lieutenant of his company soon after his enlistment at 
Philippi in 1862. He served throughout the war with distinction and received 
an honorable discharge at Richmond after the surrender of Lee. 

He returned home and married Margaret Teter, daughter of Jacob Teter. 
Children: Elizabeth, wife of Henry Keyser ; Philadelphia, wife of Lewis H. 
Spearman, and Mary. 

The last two are dead. 

Mr. Groves has held one political office, namely, Justice of the Peace. 

GROVER CLEVELAND GUINN. son of L. V. and Victoria (Cummins) 
Guinn. Born March 24. 1887. His father was a confederate soldier from South 
Carolina and married his mother September 28, 1875, to whom were born, 
Armelia, August 24, 1876; Alberta, January 31, 1878; Marshall Albert, October 
25, 1881 ; Averill, April 5, 1883, and Grover C. 

ANDREW SHERMAN GUM, born December 18, 1866, the son of Andrew 
W. Gum, of Highland County, Virginia, who came to Upshur County in the year 
of 1840. His father and mother were parents of eight children : Aaron Gilbert, 
Minerva Jane, Cassie Ann, Marietta, Hulda Ann, Avarill Grant, Rachel E. and 
the subject of this sketch, who is one of the best farmers of the Northern end of 
the County, having inherited the homestead where he now lives and follows his 
favorite pursuit. 

WILLIAM H. GUM, bom December 24, 1868, the eldest son of George W. 
Gum and Catherine Depoy and the grandson of William S. Gum and Martha 
Rymer of Hyland County, Va. The Gums are of German descent. 

Catherine Depoy was a daughter of Philip H. Depoy and Lydia A. Bowman, 
of Rockingham County, Va., who were also of German descent. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, the Normal 
and Classical Academy at Buckhannon and the West Virginia Conference Semi- 
nary. He taught several years and then took a course in Medicine at the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, Md., graduating therefrom April 17, 
1897. He has been practising his profession at Pecks Run, LTpshur County, the 
scenes of his boyhood, ever since. 

September 7, 1898, he married Allie S. Calhoun, the daughter of Jackson 
Calhoun and Marv Rohrbough. 

GEORGE GUTHERIE, married daughter of James and Mariah (Tillman) 



464 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Loudin, December 8, 1890. His wife on the mother's side was a direct descendant 
of the Eastern Virginia TiUmans who came here and located on the waters of 
Brushy Fork, near the Reger Chapel Church. She was born April 21, 1876. 

Children : Willie T., John S., Clifford C, Laura L., Annie P., and Jvlabel B. 

J. G. HALL was born on the headwaters of Elk Creek, Barbour County, 
Virginia, November 3, 1853. The son of Enoch and Mary (O'Brien) Hall, 
the former born in the year 1810, and the latter in 1818. His maternal grand- 
mother, Hannah (Norris) O'Brien, was born in the year 1787, in Virginia, and 
was a third cousin of George Washington, connected through the "Ball family." 
His maternal grandfather, Daniel O'Brien, was born in Ireland in the eighteenth 
century, and was of the famous O'Brien family of Ireland, noted in history and 
connected with Robert Emmet. The O'Brien family can trace their genealogy 
for 25 generations. Daniel O'Brien and Hannah Norris were married in the 
year 1812, and made their first home in Beverly, Virginia, where he engaged in 
the mercantile business, and died in 1844, and was buried in Barbour County, 
Virginia. Mrs. Hannah O'Brien died in Upshur County, in 1880. 

Enoch Hall's great grandfather came, with his wife, to America, he being 
from 5ngland, and she from Scotland, settling on the waters of Duck Creek, 
now Maryland. They raised a large family of children, who were scattered 
throughout the country. 

Enoch Hall's grandfather, Samuel, and wife, lived in Maryland, and their 
children were : Thomas and Joseph. Samuel Hall and his son, Thomas, served 
in Washington's Command and lived to enjoy the Independence of America. 
Thomas and Joseph, after the death of their parents, made their home with their 
uncle, Joseph Hall. Thomas married Miss Barbra Dickinson, and their chil- 
dren were : David, John, Thomas and Nancy. Thomas Hall, after the close 
of the Revolution, was a farmer and mechanic, and for a while worked in a 
shipyard. x\fter the death of his wife, Mr- Hall came to what is now West 
Virginia and married Mrs. Eliza (Reger) Talbott, daughter of Jacob Reger, 
about the year 1805. Her first husband, Cotterill Talbott, was drowned in the 
Buckhannon river. Their son was David Talbott, Sr. Mr. Hall's children by 
his second marriage were : Catherine, Jacob, Enoch, Philip and Phoebe. Thomas 
Hall died May 7, 1823. His widow married a Mr. Wambsley, and diea in 1837. 

Enoch Hall and Mary O'Brien were married December 10, 1839, and to this 
union were born: Lucinda A., born November 26, 1840, died April 27, 1876; 
Thomas A. J., born May 23, 1843, died April 17, 1845 ; Virginia B., bom April 
15, 1846; Hannah Norris, born February 14, 1848, died June 7, 1866; Nancy 
J. born February 8, 1850, died January, 1896; Jacob G., born November 3, 1853; 
Enoch B., born March 3, 1856, died November 2, 1869; Philip Emmet, born 
May 30, 1858, died September 11, 1872. The subject of this sketch and D. O'B- 
Hall are the only children now living. 

Near Peel Tree, W. Va., October 16, 1879, J. G. Hall and Amy Chidester 
were married. Children of this union have been born as follows : .\rchie C. 
M., born April 11, 1881 ; Bertie Gay, born August 2, 1883, died August 28, 1891 ; 
Maida V., born July 9, 1888; Jay G., born August 28, 1891, died July 19, 1892; 
Enoch W., born August 12, 1893; Ralph W. E., born December 30, 1895; Jesse 
G., born July 28, 1899. Mrs. Amy (Chidester) Hall was born October 11, 1859, 
daughter of James J. and Rebecca (Hoff) Chidester of Harrison County- Mrs. 
Hall's brother and sisters are: Mrs. Victoria (Chidester) WiUiams, Mrs. Hattie 
(Chidester) Williams and J. J. Chidester. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 465 

J. G. Hall was raised on a farm and in a mill, attended the common county 
schools and the West Virginia College at Flemington. Taught his first school 
in the years 1876 and 1877, holding a No. i certificate. Was member of Board 
of Examiners, Upshur County for examination of school teachers, in the fall of 
1877, and taught school the following winter. Then again took up the milling 
business in Barbour County ; then followed merchandising for two years. In 
the year 1890 he moved to Buckhannon, and there bought P. M| Boggess' hard- 
ware store. He was then with J. A. Crislip in the Wholesale Grocery Company, 
and later a member of Crislip, Hall '& Co. In 1895 he sold his interest In the 
Grocery Company, and in April, 1896, went to Pueblo, Col., where he was 
engaged with C- W. Hart in the grocery business. He then returned to tlie east 
and for a year was in the flour and feed business in Buckhannon ; then joined 
his brother and nephew in the Retail Hardware Company in Buckhannon for 
eight years. 

Mr. Hall was Secretary of the Board of Education for some years in Valley 
District, Barbour County. After coming to Buckhannon he was elected a mem- 
ber of the City Council. Was one of the city Board of Trade, one of the charter 
members of the Peoples' Bank, and has been one of its directors ever since. 
He has been successful in business, and at present owns property in seevral states. 
He and his family are all members of the Methodist Church. He is a firm 
believer in God and the immortality of the soul, and that all things are for the 
best to those who put their trust in the Lord. 

DANIEL O'BRIEN HALL, son of Enoch and Mary M. (O'Brien) Hall, 
was born in Barbour County April 15, 1846. His great grandfather was Samuel 
Hall and his grandfather was Thomas Hall. Samuel Hall a shipbuilder, emi- 
grated from England and both great grandfather and grandfather were Revo- 
lutionary soldiers under the immortal Washington. Samuel serving as a non- 
commissioned officer and Thomas as a Captain. He married Margaret Campbell 
daughter of Peachy B. and Margaret (Decker) Campbell. Children: Leonidas 
A., born December 16, 1871. 

LEONIDAS A. HALL, eldest son of D. O. B. Hall and Margaret (Camp- 
bell) Hall, was born December 16, 1871, near Swamp Run. Reared on a farm, 
educated in public school and the West Virginia Conference Seminary. He began 
business life as bookkeeper for Chrislip Hall & Company, Wholesale Grocers, 
and served them in that capacity from 1894 to 1896. In 1898 he became the 
junior member of the partnership known as the Hall Hardware Company, which 
position he still occupies. 

He married Ora A. Smith, daughter of Jefferson J. and Annie F. Smith 
of Harrison County, September 15, 1898. 

Children: Winnie C, was born July 15, 1899; Edward J., was born Marcli 
5, 1902. 

WILLIAM N. W. HARRIS, born July 22, 1854, son of Abner J. Harris 
and Mary F. Sharp, and the grandson of David N. Harris, who came from 
Hanover County, Va., in 1840. He married Talitha Cuni Murphy, September 
19, 1875. His wife was the daughter of John T. Murphy and Patsy Snyder of 
Taylor County and the granddaughter of William Murphy and Leaner Poe, 
emigrants from Fauquier County, Va., about the year 1800, and settled in what 
is now Taylor County. Leaner Poe was a daughter of Samuel Poe, a soldier of 
the Revolutionary Army. 

Mr. Harris is a farmer and lumberman in Union District. In politics he is 
a Democrat, in religion he is a Methodist Protestant. 



466 FAMILY HISTORY. 

W. E. HAMNER, lumberman, was born in Scottsville, Va., June 30, 1868, 
son of E. B. Hamner and Martha E. Thomas, the grandson on his father's side 
of Walter W. Hamner and the great, great grandson of Nicholas Hamner, early 
settler of Albermarle County. His grandfather's mother was a Eubank and his 
father's mother was Ida Prear, emigrant from Scotland to Virginia. On his 
mother's side he is the grandson of John Snyder, whose middle name is the same 
as the maiden name of his mother. John S. Thomas was a native of Nelson 
County, Va., born in 1810, and his mother was a native of Buckingham County, 
Va., bora in 1784, and Eliza (White) Thomas's mother was a Dawson from Ire- 
land, and her father was a White from Scotland. Edward Bruce Hamner and 
Mary E. Thomas, who were married in Upshur County in 1865, had seven child- 
ren whose names are: Ida LiUie Hamner, W. E. Hamner, Walter Lee Hamner, 
Allen T. Hamner, Clara Hamner, Charles Hamner, one dead, and Lloyd Hamner. 
John S. Thomas moved to Upshur in 1840, settling on French Creek, and died there 
in 189s, and his wife Eliza White Thomas, died in the year of 1891, at the age of 
seventy-seven. 

The subject of the sketch was educated in the common schools until 17 years 
old when he went West and worked on a cattle ranch two years in Dakota and 
on a farm in Missouri and Illinois, three years. He came back to West Virginia 
and entered the lumber and timber business in 1890. This being the year that 
railroad was being completed through Upshur County into a wilderness of 
timber in Randolph and Webster Counties, and also the year in which the first 
band saw mill was erected on the Buckhannon waters. He saw great possibilities 
in the specialty of fine logs of walnut, poplar and oak wood for foreign markets 
and to this particular branch of work and the study of forestry in general, he has 
devoted himself for the past seventeen years ; he is now located at Buckhannon. 
On November 25, 1892, he married Cora L. Phillips, the daughter of Simeon 
Phillips and Rebecca Loudin, and the granddaughter of Horace Phillips, who was 
the sixth son of David Phillips of Massachusetts. Horace Phillips married Susan 
Outright, the daughter of Jacob Cutright, who was the son of John Cutright of 
Pioneer days and Sycamore Tree notoriety. His wife was born October 3, 1872, 
and their living children are: Frank, born April 21, i894;Xenna, born Septem- 
ber 24, 1897, and Paul, born October 26, 1898. 

WILLIAM F. HANEY, a farmer of Marion County, W. Va., postoffice 
Hammond, was born in Harrison County, June 9, 1833, on the waters of the 
Tygarts Valley river, the son of John M. Haney and Ann Poling of Booths Creek, 
having moved there from Augusta County, Va. His father was in the war of 
1812, and his grandfather was killed in the battle of Brandywine during the 
Revolutionary War. In the month of April, 1842, his father moved from near 
Fairmont, into Randolph County, on the waters of the Middle Fork, near what 
is now known as Kedron, Upshur County, about eleven miles from Buckhannon. 
His father seemed very anxious about the formation of Upshur County and the 
subject of this sketch began paying taxes into the County Treasurer when he was 
seventeen years of age, one year after he had voted. Some time later he was 
passing up Peck's Run in hunt of work, and night overtook him at the home of 
Jonas Crites and there he met his wife, Barbara J. Crites, whom he married Sep- 
tember 2, 1852. He wag a soldier in Company E, West Virginia Lightt 
Artillery, was in the Buckhannon battle, 1862, and with ten other comrades was 
captured and taken to Camp Chase. Mustered out at Wheeling, 1865. Children: 
Six sons and four daughters. 

DR. PHILIP DEPOY HANNAH, is a resident physician near Peck's 
Run, Warren District. Was born March 9, 1852, son of RlafTord and Margaret 



FAMILY HISTORY. 467 

(Flick) Hannah, natives of Rockingham County, Va., who moved to Peck's Run 
in 1850, and grandson of Thomas Hannah of Virginia. 

The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm. The dread disease known 
as White Swelling attacked him at the age of eleven and left him an invalid limb, 
which he has carried throughout life and compelled him to devote his energy to 
the acquisition of such knowledge as would fit him for a profession. 

He taught nine years in the public schools of Upshur County, at the end of 
which time he was fitted for entrance to a medical school. He was clerk in 
stores at Peck's Run and Johnstown during a part of the five years prior to his 
entrance upon his medical course. 

In 1885, he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Balti- 
more, Md., and immediately located at Peck's Run, his home, where he has 
successfully practiced until the lame limb forced him to retire. 

In 1887, he married Josephine Virginia Arbogast, daughter of James and 
Alcinda (Colow) Arbogast, of Highland County, Va. 

Dr. Hanna owns a farm of 52 acres on upper Peck's Run. Is a U. B. in C. 
Church in Religion and a Republican in politics. 

JAMES H. HANSON, son of William and Johanna (Hicks) Hanson, born 
in Morgan County, Ohio, May 24, 1842. Was educated in Quakers School, Mt. 
Pleasant, Ohio, and at the age of eighteen, enlisted in the 125th Ohio Infantry, 
of which compnay he was a member until the close of the war. Was taken 
pHisoner and lay five months in Libby Prison and Bell Isle. His company was a 
part of that regiment known as the Opedykes Tigers. He was honorably dis- 
charged. And at the time of his death, April 11, 1901, was drawing a pension. 

Mr. Hanson came to West Virginia in 1872, locating first at Clarksburg; in 
1881 he moved to Buckhannon and went into the hardware business ; in 1883 he 
was elected Riayor of the town of Buckhannon and so successful was his adminis- 
tration, that the honor of Mayor was conferred upon him two more terms. He 
was very instrumental in having located at Buckhannon the West Virginia 
Conference Seminary now known as the W. Va. Wesleyan College. 

Married Mary S. Work of Athens, Ohio. There are two living children to 
this union. Namely : Bertha, the wife of George PI. Balsley of Wheeling, W. Va., 
and Mary Mabel at home. 

CHARLES WILLIAM HARLIN. owns one hundred and ten acres of land, 
the old Harlin Homestead on the waters of Glady Fork, Buckhannon District, 
where he lives. He was born May, 5, 1853, son of William G. Harlin and 
Adeline Turner of Albermarle County, Va. His father was a soldier in the war 
of 1812, and immigrated to Upshur in 1843. Was ninety years old when he died 
and was the father of nine children, whose names are: John M., soldier in the 
Upshur Grays ; Guston, dead ; William K., killed by a tree ; Sarah Jane, 
wife of R. C. Wingfield; Eugene K., married Matilda Flint: Salina, wife of 
Nelson Wingfield; Frances, wife of Wm. T. Mayo; Charles W., the subject of 
this sketch. 

He married Sana Virginia Lewis, daughter of Jacob Lewis, son of Andrew 
and Florence Amilia Hinkle, whose mother was a Barrett and related to the 
Daytons of Barbour County. 

Children of Charles W. Harlin are : Virgie, Mary, Edna Leonia and Alice. 

Mr. Harlin is a Democrat and well remembers his father's slaves, who 
remained with him until years after the war. 

MRS. VICTORIA HART, granddaughter of General Henry F. Westfall, 
born January i. 1799, and Mary, daughter of Leonard and Christina Simon. Her 
great grandfather, Joel Westfall married Elizabeth White, daughter of William 



468 FAMILY HISTORY. 

White, who was killed by the Indians near the Buckhannon Fort, 1782. Joel 
Westfall was born at Beverly, Randolph County, January 23, 1779, ^^^ ^^^^ 
raised by his stepfather, John Wilson, Circuit Clerk of that County. 

Children of Henry Westfall were Harrison, Simon and Elizabeth, the mother 
of this sketch, who married James Mooney in 1841. Henry F. Westfall ran the 
gauntlet of military promotion in the militia under the laws of Virginia, from 
Corporal to Brigadier General, serving in these various capacities from 1817 to 
1865. He was also deputy sheriff, clerk of the circuit and county courts, and 
postmaster at Buckhannon from 1832 to 1852. 

He was married January 21, 1821. 

Mrs. Hart married Creed W. Hart, son of Montgomery Hart of Randolph 
County, August 10, 1869. He was the grandson of Elijah and Margaret Hart, 
the former being a son of Edward and the latter a daughter of Daniel Hart, both 
sons of John Hart, who signed the Declaration of Independence. Creed W. Hart 
was a soldier in the Upshur Battery, serving with that Company during the Civil 
War. After the cessation of hostilities he engaged in business at Buckhannon 
and lived in this place except the years he was a resident of Texas and Colorado. 
He died September 22, 1897. 

Children : Henry Westfall, merchant at Leadville, born April 10, 1876, 
married Mary Doyle of Leadville, Colorado, August 30, 1905. 

Frances M., born October 25, 1879, finished her education in music in 1904, 
and under good teachers at Florence, Italv and Dresden, Germany. 

JAMES LEE HARD WAY was born September 7. 1861, and was married 
to Ella Nora Lake a native of Rockingham County, Va., who was born April 29, 
i860, and their children were Arthur Walidore, Bessie Elizabeth, Grover Austin, 
Harry Byrne, Leafy Bell. 

February i, 1900, he married Mattie Virginia Johnson, who was born Febru- 
ary 29, 1880, the daughter of Perry H. Johnson and Margaret E. Beverage and 
their children are : Clovy Blanche, Bunah Andra, Perry Forrest and Edra Lee. 

Mr. Hardway was a son of James H. Hardway and Fanny F. Humphrey uf 
Bath County, Va. 

He has a good common school education and is a Civil Engineer and farms. 
He is a democrat in politics and a Missionary Baptist in religion. 

Pie owns fifty acres of land near Holly Grove on the Little Kanawha River. 
He was left an orphan and was raised by Mrs. Eliza Hefner of Giadv Fork. 

PETliR H\KPER was born Sep^'mi'cr 6. 182"!), in Randolph County and 
married Wealthy Cj ideste; , September 0, 1845, she was born May 13, 1827. Mr. 
Ilaqior nioved to Si''a'ght Fork soon ;<it'T his marnage and there ten children 
were born: Susan V';rgi' :?, Alcinda Jane, Wellingtoii Lee, William Schuyler, 
Hazel Wesley, John \*,£;iman, Chest'.r S'sk, Chark^^ Presley, Peter Sheldon, 
Bernard Moore. 

He owned one hundred acres of land on Straight Fork, on which he raised 
his large family and was a leader among his neighbors and loved by them all. 
He was a Methodist Protestant in religion. Besides farming he did stone 
masonry. After his death his son Bernard M. Harper came into possession of 
the homestead and is now taking care of his mother. 

Bernard M. Harper was born May 11, 1872, and married Lillie Frances 
Brake, September i, 1898, she was born February 11, 1873, and their child is 
Monter Arnold, born April 18, 1901. 

Mrs. Harper was a daughter of Benjamin Brake and Martha Hull. Ben- 
jamin Brake was a son of Cyrus Brake. 

WILLIAM SCHUYLER HARPER, was born November 3, 1852, the son 



FAMILY HISTORY. 460 

of Peter Harper and Wealthy Chidester and on January 31, 1875, was married to 
Mary Mildren McCauley, who was born May 12, 1857, and their children are: 
Alva Otis, married Retta Jones ; Orvil Roy, died March 4, 1900 ; Maurice Fred, 
a. barber ; William Weece, married Georgie K. Kincaid ; Bessie May, died June 
25, 1898; Nlelie J., teacher; Leslie Hugh; Aleta Grace; Mary Lois. 

Mrs. Harper was the daughter of Harvey McCauley and Sarah Blagg, 
natives of Highland County, who settled near Frenchton in 1830. 

The subject of this sketch was a cripple caused by white swelling but v/as an 
energetic and hard working man. For a few years after his marriage he lived at 
Bumsville, Braxton County, whence he came to Centerville. He incurred the 
loss of a large flouring mill, of which he owned one half and from which financial 
loss he never fully recovered. He owned a farm near Centerville, was a Justice 
of the Peace two terms, was a shoemaker by trade, he belonged to the M. E. 
Church from his fourteenth year until his death in his forty-fifth year. Con- 
sumption was the dreadful disease, which carried him away. 

His widow has raised their children and she now resides at Centerville.' 

GEORGE MINTER HARPER, son of Chesley S. Harper, born February 
28, 1880, and was married December 16, 1902, to Ora Ella Powers, who was born 
January 19, 1885, the daughter of Lee Powers and the granddaughter of Benona 
Powers of Lewis County. 

The subject of this sketch was raised at Rock Cave and took his education 
in the public schools of that village, on leaving school he began farming and lum- 
bering for a living, which occupation he still follows. 

In politics he is a Republican. 

WILLIAM BENSON HAWKINS, son of James M. and Catherine (Good- 
win) Hawkins, born November 9, 1844, in Marion County. And married Nancy 
Jane Watson. 

Children : John Addison, Rachel Ann, Mary Catherine, George Washington, 
Cora Mariah, Arizona Virginia, Homer Gorden. 

WARREN E. HAYNES, son of Sumner and Rachel Ann (Cochran) 
Haynes, born January 4, 1858. His father was one of the oldest and most public 
spirited men of Upshur County, having served his country in its early history in 
various official capacities with foresight and statesmanship. 

Mr. Haynes was the oldest son of a family of eight, the other children 
of Sumner Haynes being, William, James T., Charles B., Mariah E., Robert E., 
John J. and Lillie. 

He married Adeline Helmick, March 20, 1889, and to them were born Ed- 
ward Sumner, Minnie Elizabeth, William McKinley, Olga May, LilHe Delia, 
John J. Everett and Robert Curtain and Harrison A. 

Warren E. Haynes has held for twelve years the office of Constable of Banks 
District. 

Sumner Hayes was the son of Daniel and Hannah (Weldon) Haynes of 
Massachusetts. Daniel was a soldier in the war of 1812 and Sumner, the son, 
was born near French Creek, in 1822, and lived in this section until 
his death in 1885. 

MARCELLUS BENTON HAYMOND, the son of Wilson M. Haymond 
and Sarah McCartney, was born March i, 1834. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Elizabeth Jane Moor, was born June 26, 1849, their marriage dates April 9, 
1869. Children: Laura Frances, Luther Coleman, Rosa Ann, Allen Hill, Jewett 
Martin, Geunten Fleming, Alva Clayton, Birdie Aurillah. 

Mr. Haymond is a farmer. A member of the M. P. Church, South, and a 
Democrat in politics. 



470 FAMILY HISTORY. 

His mother's father was George Moor, who was a son of Preston Moor and 
the grandson of Hamilton, on his grandmother's side. 

Preston Moor came from Scotland in 1812, was in the war that year and 
after the termination of the war, settled in this country. 

On his mother's side, his grandfather was William Briteshaw and Elizabeth 
Campbell emigrants from Scotland in 1807. His other grandfather on his 
motlier's side was Samuel Hogsett, who emigrated from Scotland to Virginia 
in 1808. His wife was Elizabeth Briteshaw and their child was Alary Frances 
Hogsett. 

GRANVILLE JOHNSON HAYMOND of Banks District, Upshur County, 
West Virginia, son of Wilson M. and Sarah C. Hammond, was born in Lewis 
County, Va., in the year 1843. Moved with his father to wliat is now Upshur 
County, in 1846. 

In the year 1858, he was married to Susan Frances Sargeant of Louisa 
County, \'a., and their children are : Wilson E., John Morgan, Alpheus Forrest, 
Wade Hampton, Olive B., Gorden Lee (dead), Effa Gay, Herbert B., Eula B. 

Susan Sargeant Haymond was a daughter of John and Susan Sargeant of 
Louisa County, Va. 

Mr. Haymond cast his fortune with his state and enlisted in the Confederate 
Army in 1861, in Company B, 25th Virginia \'olunteer Infantry. Was in the 
fight at McDowell in the spring of 1862, was with Stonewall Jackson in his Valley 
Campaign, was slightly wounded at Winchester, shot through the body at the 
battle of Cross Kees and taken to the hospital at Charlottesville, was in the battle 
at Fredericksburg. Altogether he was in fifteen regular battles and many 
skirmishes. 

Mr. Haymond is a Democrat in politics and a member of the M. E. Church, 
South. He owns a farm and is now living near the place his father settled in 
the vear 1846. 

'JONATHAN HEFNER, a native of Highland County. Born February 
21, 1814, died April 16. 1896. He was twice married, his first wife's maiden 
name was Margaret Jane Fletcher, born in 1818, died 1851, and their children 
were John F., Henry "j., Elizabeth A., Peter S., Margaret and William T. His 
second, third and fourth children are dead. His second wife's maiden name was 
Angeline Jack, and their children were Melissa Alice and Charles L. 

Charles L. married Lenora Wilson, the daughter of Charles Wilson, June 
12, 1883, and to this union have been given three children, Thomas Judson, born 
April 17, 1885; Wilson Carlisle, born December 5, 1886, and Gladys Lenora, 
born December 21, 1894. 

Mr. Hefner owns a valuable farm on Slab Camp, and is an enthusiastic live 
stockman. 

NICHOLAS HAVENER. 

Concerning the Havener family, almost our only reliable information Is ob- 
tained from "Indentures," "Naturalization paper," wills, appraisements, etc., 
now in Major Jacob W. Heavner's posession. These have passed from one 
administrator to the next for five successive generations. From them it appears 
that Nicholas Havener with his wife, two sons, Jacob and Frederick, and two 
daughters, Catreen and one whose name is not given, emigrated from Germany 
to America some time previous to May 20, 1755, which is the date, so far as 
shown on which he made his first purchase of land, two tracts, each containing 
300 acres, lying on the "Southernmost Branch of the South Branch of the Poto- 



FAMILY HISTORY. 471 

mac River," for which "he in hand paid lOO & 7 pounds & 10 shillings." Nicholas 
Heayener's Naturalization paper, to which is still firmly attached the seal of "Our 
Sovereign Lord, King George the Third," dated May 18, 1761, bears also the 
signature of Fran. Farquier "His Majesties Lieutenant Governor and Commander 
in Chief of the Col. and Dominion of Virginia." It is difficult to determine the 
exact orthography of the name, as even in the third generation the family seem to 
have written almost exclusively in German, however, on the first Indentures and 
Naturalization paper we find it Havener. From Nicholas Havener's will written 
during the year 1769 (fourteen years after his arrival in America), we perhaps 
gain a more correct estimate of his character than could otherwise have been 
obtained. First he was a God-fearing man, also a man of wealth devoted to the 
welfare of his family, which is especially conspicuous in his careful, specific, and 
generous provisions for the comfort of his "Beloved wife," whom he appoints 
Administratrix of his estate, in conjunction with their eldest son, Jacob. 

There is in the writer's possession a paper of which the following is a true 
copy : 

Pendleton County, to wit, this is to certify that Frederick Heavener served a 
term of Duty under me against the Insurgents in Pennsylvania as a good soldier 
and is hereby Discarged. 

JAMES PATTERSON, Captain. 

Feb. 27, 1795. 

JACOB HEAVNER. 

Jacob Heavner, eldest son of Nicholas, married Mary Mallow, it is presumed 
she died soon after December 4, 1804, as that is the last date on which her name 
appears, attached to a "deed of gift of land," made with her husband to their 
oldest son Nicholas, which was one of the 300 acre tracts purchased by his grand' 
father, Nicholas, in 1755. Jacob and Mary Havener were the parents of many 
children. Nicholas, Adam, Henry Michael, Samuel Peter, Margaret and Mary, 
Jacob and John. 

Of Jacob Havener our only record is derived from business transactions 
and his will dated Pendleton C, December 18, 1810, but even in these after the 
lapse of almost a century, we recognize a man of fine judgment, not only success- 
ful in worldly afifairs, large hearted and magnanimous, but also a devout christian. 
As his father, so did he appoint his oldest son Nicholas his administrator. 

NICHOLAS HAVENER. 

After the settlement of his father Jacob Havener's estate in Pendleton 
County, Virginia, Nicholas Havener, in 181 5, came to what is now Upshur County 
and purchased of George Jackson, 400 acres of land on Buckhannon River, 
lying partly in Harrison and partly in Randolph Counties, including former site 
of "Bush Fort," near which his residence was erected. Only a few traditions 
concerning he and his gentle wife have survived the years, which if only partially 
true, would suggest as one who knew him said, "That he was a jolly Dutchman 
whose laugh could be heard a quarter of a mile, whose hospitality was unbounded, 
and cellar always full of the finest peach and apple brandy." Another old and 
very close friend of his. some years ago in conversation with the writer on this 
.subject, remarked that Nicholas never considered his whole duty to a guest per- 
lormed unless on their departure he presented them with a souvenir of their visit, 



472 FAMILY HISTORY. 

which hi connection with the fine brandy may at least partially explain his exces- 
sive popularity. He and his wife, Mary Propps Heavner, reared a large family 
of daughters and two sons, Elias and Jacob. Nicholas Heavner died August 3, 
1843, li's wife, Mary Propps Heavner, died May 19, 1843. 

ELIAS HEAVNER, 

Born April 9, 1805. Died October 10, 1884. 

And 

ELIZABETH HYRE HEAVNER, 

Born February 14, 1809. August 2, 1902. 

Nicholas Heavner appointed his eldest son Elias his administrator, also to 
succeed him on the home farm, to which on October 4, 1829, the latter — a proud 
and happy groom, brought his bride, Elizabeth Hyre Heavner — and now it seems 
impossible that any person knowing both, could write of either, without including 
the other, so close was their union, so harmonious and devoted their lives, that 
in thought and spirit they were truly one. Mr. Heavner was a quiet, unobtrusive 
generous man, of great simplicity of spirit and Christian goodness. Early in life 
both he and his wife united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which for 
many years he was a class leader and also Trustee. They were both noted for 
their generous hospitality, and it was in their home the weary, wayworn itinerant 
ministers, of the early years, were always sure of finding a cordial welcome and 
a comfortable resting place. To them was born one daughter, Catherine, who 
married Mr. Daniel Carper, and now resides in Buckhannon, West Virginia. 
Also to their hearts and home came seven stalwart sons. Alas ! that of these, five 
were taken from them just as they were reaching the full meridian of promising 
manhood. In the midst of those for whom tlieir arduous labors were so freely 
given, beneath the shadow of trees they together planted, surrounded by those ver- 
dant meadows, in which for so many years they sowed and reaped, parents and 
children are together "Sleeping the ages away" in the cemetery which perpetu- 
ates their name. 

L. A. E. R. H. 

THADDEUS S. HEAVNER. 

Thaddeus S. Heavner, second son of Elias and Elizabeth Hyre Heavner, was 
born October 20, 1832, in what is now known as Upshur County, W. Va. He was 
a man of more than ordinary natural endowments, active and successful in 
business, with a high sense of honor, which was conspicuous in all the relations of 
his life, and from his youth was a devout member of the M. E. Church. During 
the year 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Farnsworth, daughter 
of Nathaniel and Millie Farnsworth. At the time of his death, which occurred 
October 26, 1869, he was Sheriff of Upshur County, W. Va. One only child, 
Lenora A. Heavner, survives both her parents. 

JACOB W. HEAVNER. 

Jacob W. Heavner, eldest son of Elias and Elizabeth Hyre Heavner, was born 
January 27, 1841. To him, as to so many other youths of his age and period, the 
Civil War came with its "bugle call to arms'" aroused a valor which knew no fear. 




MAJ. J. W. HEAVNER. 



■ FAMILY HISTORY. 473 

and a martial spirit both North and South which was indomitable. As soon as pos- 
sible after a tedious illness from typhoid fever, he offered his services to the Gov- 
ernment and was commissioned 2d Lieutenant. On the eve of departure for the 
front with his men, Gen. Jenkins, that ever omnipresent commander, who was 
always where he was least expected, and least desired, came with his "brave 
riders" "swooping" down on the government stores in Buckhannon. 

Alas for the Lieutenant and his men, some were killed and some wounded, 
while the Lieutenant and others were left on parole. Before an exchange could be 
effected the Lieutenant, with his brother Clark W. Heavner, in passing along the 
highway was "Bushwacked," and both very dangerously wounded, the latter so 
seriously as to permanently preclude his admission to the army. The Lieutenant 
was more fortunate, when he had at least partially recovered, there came an ex- 
change of prisoners. 

Again he was ready for service and was commissioned ist Lieutenant, Com- 
pany M, 3d West Virginia Cavalry. On May 23, 1865, he was again promoted 
to Captain in same company and regiment, and for special gallantry brevetted 
Major. 

The 3d West Virginia Cavalry, as many may recall was with Hunter in the 
famous Lynchburg raid, and with Custer and Sheridan in the Valley where they 
seemed ubiquitous, and also very conspicuously present at the surrender. 

In 1869 Judge Irving appointed Major Heavner Sheriff of Upshur County, 
to fill an unexpired term, occassioned by the death of his brother T. S. Heavner. 
Twice afterwards he was elected Sheriff of Upshur County, was in 1884 delegate 
to National convention ; in 1888 alternate for State at large to National conven- 
tion ; again in 1892, on electoral ticket; 1900 alternate for Third Congressional 
District, West Virginia; 1900, member-at-large and president of the Board of 
Equalization in the State of West Virginia; 1904 led the electoral ticket in West 
Virginia, has served as vice-president of one, and director in two banks in Buck- 
hannor, has also served as director in two R. R.'s, has for thirty years been a most 
successful and progressive real estate agent, also one of the most active and ener- 
getic promoters in all the enterprises which have had for their object the pro- 
gress and development of Buckhannon, Upshur County, and its surroundings. 

JEROME D. HECK, born in Marion County, Virginia, May 10, 1859, 
son of John A. Heck and Sarah A. Nicholas, and grandson of Adam Heck and 
Catherine Toothman. Adam Heck was a son of Johann Jost Heck, and a soldier 
in the war of 1812. Johann Jost Heck was a soldier in the American Revolution- 
ary Army and fought under General Washington and at the close of the wai 
moved with his wife Rachel to Maryland and finally settling in the valley of 
the Monongahela, where he raised his ten children. His eldest being Jacob, 
born in 1792, and also a soldier in the war of 1812. Johann Jost Heck was a son 
of Johann Jacob Heck and was born in Berks County, Pa., in 1754. Johann 
Jacob, was the son of Johann Jost, Sr., and Eva Mariah, his wife, emigrants from 
Germany to Pennsylvania in 1727. Johann Jacob was married to Judith, his wife, 
and they became the parents of Johann Jost, and the certificate of whose birth is 
still in the Heck family. 

Sarah A. Nichols was the daughter of Henry Nichols and Nancy Clelland. 
Henry Nichols's father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and his name was 
Thomas. 

John A. Heck, died in 1864, and the subject of this sketch lived with his 
mother, on a farm until manhood. 

November 16, 1884, Jerome D., moved to Upshur County, that being the 



474 FAMILY HISTORY. 

date of his marriage to Mary L- Hyre, the daughter of Jehu Hyre and Ruanna 
Smith, and the granddaughter of Peter Hyre, whose wife's maiden name was 
Pritt. 

Ruanna Smith was a daughter of Peter Smith and Phoebe Thorn, both of 
the South Branch of the Potomac. 

Children of J. E. Heck are: Matilda A., born July 23, 1885: John J., born 
December 28, 1886. 

Air. Heck is a farmer of Meade District, living near Ten Mile on the B. & O. 
Railroad. 

CHARLES S. HEFNER, a farmer of Meade District. His home is on 
Slab Camp of French Creek. The date of his birth is fixed as January 15, 1858. 
His parents were Jonathan and Angeline (Jack) Hefner. His grandfather was 
Peter Hefner of Highland County, Va., one of the first settlers at Frenchton 
and the first blacksmith, also the first shoemaker and a member of the first 
Methodist Episcopal Church at that place. His mother was the daughter of 
Jacob and Hester (Siron) Jack, both of Highland County, Va. His only full 
sister is the wife of Absalom Lanham. 

The subject of sketch owns the homestead and lives there. His wife's 
maiden name was Alice L., a daughter of Charles and Cordelia (Armstrong) 
Wilson and a granddaughter of Samuel Wilson and John Armstrong. On her 
mother's side she is related to the Hendersons of Upshur County. Children are: 
Thomas Judson, born .\pril 17, 1885, graduate from the Business College of the 
West Virginia Wesleyan College, is now teller in the Peoples" Bank of West 
Virginia ; Wilson Carlisle, born December 5, 1886, a graduate of the public school 
of Buckhannon, and now a clerk for C. I. Farnsworth ; Gladys Lorena, born 
December 21, , died in 1896. 

JOHN ALBURT HELMICK, was born December 4, 18/7, son of Perry 
Helmick. 

Mr. Helmick was married to Cora Effie Golden, who was born December, 
1873, daughter of Dennis Golden, son of Moses Golden and Emily (Fleming) 
Golden, on October 27, 1892. Mrs. Helmick's mother was the daughter of Rev. 
Samuel Wilson, of Frenchton, and was married the first time to a Mr. Fleming. 
Children : Elva May, Bela Guy, Anna Emily. Brennie Jasper. Mary Mona Alice, 
Dana Russell, born June 2, 1906, and died October 11, 1906. 

Mr. Helmick resides near Centerville, on what is known as the Lloyd Curry 
farm. Is a lumberman and farmer. A Republican in Politics and a Methodist 
Episcopal in Religion. 

REV. M. D. HELMICK, D. D., born in Harrison County, 1863, son of Rev. 
D. G. and Sarah E., was married in Monongalia County, to Abbie J., daughter of 
Fielding S. and Charlotte V. Dawson. Children : Sarah Olive and Charles Daniel. 

After leaving the common schools he attended the Fairmont Normal, the 
State University, 1883-1887, and Adrian College, a church school, graduating 
from the last named institution in 1888, with the degree of A. B. In 1901 Adrian 
conferred the degree of D. D. upon him. 

He entered the ministry of the Methodist Protestant Church in 1887, and 
since that time has served some of the most important churches of his denomi- 
nation in the state. He served two years as president of his conference, 1900- 
1902, and has been elected three times a representative to the General Conference, 
1 896- 1 900- 1 904. Besides teaching in the common schools he was four years 
principal of the Glenville NormarSchool. 1892-1896. In 1894 was candidate for 
State Superintendent of Schools on the Democratic ticket. Has been stationed 



FAMILY HISTORY. 475 

in Buckhannon for three years, during that time there has been a large increase 
of the membership and the congregation has built a beautiful parsonage, 1905, 
worth $5,000. 

His grandfather. Rev. Daniel R., was a son of John Helmick, who married 
a daughter of Solomon Ryan, near Beverly, and his great, great, grandfather 
was Jacob Helmick, one of the early citizens of Randolph County. 

His mother's maiden name was Stuten, and she came with her father to 
Upshur County from Rockbridge County about 1847. 

CHARLES CARL HENDERSON, business man, born August 17, 1877, 
in Barbour County. His father, Jacob B. Henderson, was a private in Company 
K, 17th West Virginia Regiment Infantry Volunteers, under Captain Scott A. 
Harter, his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth J. Moss, the daughter of 
Alexander Moss. After the mustering out of his father in June, 1865, he moved 
to Upshur County, settling on Grass Run, where the subject of this sketch 
was raised on a fa n vud educated in the rural schools. He completed his educa- 
tion by taking a br.^ihcss course at the West Va., Conference Seminary, which 
was only terminated by the fire which burned the principal building, taught seven 
terms of school in Washington District and in 1900 came to Buckhannon to clerk. 
After working for some time at the painting trade he found a job as clerk 
in the furniture store of Whitescarver Bros., for whom he worked until January 
I, 1907, when he resigned to accept a similar position at Clarksburg. He is now 
working for the South Western Splint Fuel Co., Crown Hill. Kanawha County. 

REV. WILLIAM D. HERNDON, presiding elder of the Buckhannon Cir- 
cuit of the United Brethren in Christ Church, was born November 8, 1851, near 
Kingwood, Preston County, son of John and Malinda (Morgan) Herndon. who 
were born in 1812 and 1812 respectively and were natives of Preston County. 

John Herndon's father was Solomon P. Herndon, who emigrated from 
Albemarle County, Va. His father was a captain in the war of 181 2, and moved to 
Preston County soon after the war, locating at Kingwood. His home was used 
as the first court house of the County after its formation. Afterwards he used 
the same house as a hotel. 

Malinda Morgan was a daughter of William and Margaret (Funk) Morgan. 
William Morgan was a son of^William and Margaret (Grady) Morgan. He 
had four brothers: Levi. Patrick. David and Stephen. Patrick Morgan was 
killed at Dunkard Bottom, Preston County, by the Indians. They .emigrated 
from Albermarle, County, Virginia to Preston County. 

The subject oithis sketch, July 4, 1871, married Nancy C. Martin, daughter 
of Phillip and Nancy (Beaver) Martin. Phillip Martin was a son of Phillip 
Martin, who came from Germany. 

Children : William Morgan. James Edward and Buelah Netta. 

Rev. Herndon has been"^ Presiding Elder for the last ten years. 

J.'\MES EDWARD HERNDON, cashier of the Buckhannon bank, was 
bom August 30, 1874, in Preston County. His parents were Rev. W. D. 
Herndon and Nancv Martin, the daughter of Phillip Martin of Preston County. 
His father's father was John Herndon a native of Preston County. For fifteen 
years his parents lived in Preston County, where he attended public school pre- 
paratory to entrance in the Glenville State Normal. After studying some time 
here he selected the Mountain State Business College, at Parkersburg for the 
completion of his preparation for entering upon a business life. In 1899 he 
came with his parents to Buckhannon, where he has since been employed as a 
clerk in stores and as assistant cashier until his promotion January, 1907, to his 



476 FAMILY HISTORY. 

present position. On December 23, 1903, he was joined in wedlock to Josephine 
Conn, daughter of Garrett Conn of Monongaha, and their child is Lyell Hermit, 
born June 25, 1905. 

CHAPMAN WHITE HERNDON, of Salt Lake Bridge. Born October 
9, 1823, in Fluvanna County, Va. At the age of 23 he crossed the Alleghany 
Mountains and cast his fortune with the settlers on the Buckhannon River. Set- 
tled on Mud Lick Run, a tributary of Buckhannon River. 

On May 30, 1848, he married Parmelia E. Rohrbough, daughter of Ben- 
jamin and Lucenda (Hyer) Rohrbough, and to this union were born fourteen 
children: Robert L., married Belle Powell; Simon E., married Hester E. Ware; 
Benjamin F., married Virginia Queen; William H., married Emma Lorentz; 
George T., married Mary Stephenson; Addie, married William Davis; Colum- 
bia Judson, married James Haskins ; F^ora, married James Smith ; Cora, mar- 
::ad Birch Cartright. 

Mr. Herndon at the beginning of the Civil War volunteered his services 
and was enlisted as a member of the Upshur Battery, August 13, 1862 at Buck- 
hannon Town. For his services and disability arising from his sers'ices he is now 
drawing a pension. He has lived in Braxton County since 1875. 

JAVAN HESS, is a farmer of Warren District, owns thirty acres of land 
on Hacker's Creek. He was born May 12, 1839, in Lewis County. Son of 
Abraham Hess and Delilah Bonnett. March 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company 
C, loth West Virginia Infantry, under Captain Hall, and was with that Company 
until the war closed. Was wounded in face, neck and ankle, in the fight before 
Richmond. Was in twenty-seven engagements during his service as a soldier 
and was present at the surrender of Lee. He had five brothers in the Union 
Army. Was discharged at Richmond, .\ugust 9. 1865. He returned home and 
married Sirina Horner, the daughter of Samuel Horner and their living children 
are: B. J., who married a Miss McElvany; J. H., who married a Miss Queen; 
Samuel A., who married a Miss Price, and Icy A., the wife of Marshall Beeson. 
His wife died in 1890. 

He married for his second wife, Phoebe C. Bice, the daughter of Thomas 
Bice. 

He is a member of the M. E. Church. 

J.\]\IES W. HICKMAN, born September 28, 1834, son of James E., and 
Elizabeth (Hamilton) Hickman and the grandson of William and Mary (EUiot) 
Hickman, and the great grandson of Rogers Hickman of Bath County, Va., an 
immigrant to Nicholas County in 1858. "The subject of this sketch was married 
January 8, 1857, to Mary Ann ^larley, who was born January 12, 1838. 

Mrs. Hickman was the daughter of Samuel and IMary D. (Moore) Marley, 
and a granddaughter of William Marley of Pennsylvania Dutch. 

William IMarley was killed bv the Indians. 

Children: Mary E., born March 18, 185Q; Hulda J., born October i, 1862; 
Samuel G., born December 11, 1864; Sarah E., born January 19, 1866; WiUiam 
E., born September 4, 1869; Lanty S., born May i, 1872; Edward G., born Janu- 
ary 20, 1874; Etta S., born September 20, 1877; Charles E., born May 5, 1880. 

Mr. Hickman came to this Countv in 1864, and lives on a farm of two 
hundred acres on Kanawha River in Banks District. He is a Methodist m 
religion as also is his wife. His political affiliations are Republican. 

HON. COLEMAN CABELL HIGGINBOTHAM was born in the section 
of country in which he now lives, his parents being William T. and Mary Frances 



FAMILY HISTORY. 477 

(Coleman) Higginbotham, who were born in Eastern Virginia, as was also his 
paternal grandfather, John Higginbotham, who was of English lineage, and his 
maternal grandfather, Reuben Coleman, was a Virginian and of English and 
Scotch decent, and during the war of 1812, in which he took a prominent part, 
he held the rank of Major. 

Coleman C. Higginbotham began the study of law in Buckhannon and later 
went to Bowling Green, Missouri, where he continued his legal investigations, 
and was there admitted to the bar, and at once began practising his profession. 
He returned to Buckhannon, and conducted a general practice of law. 

He married Miss Mary Ida Day, daughter of Dr. R. H. B. Day, a native of 
Isle of Wight County, Va., and Martha (Woods) Day, daughter of Captain 
George Woods of Albermarle County, Va. They have five children. 

William T. Higginbotham in 1848 came from Eastern Virginia to Lewis 
County, W. Va., and settled six miles west of Buckhannon. He raised three 
children : John, Coleman and Lucy. Lucy married Mr. G. W. Spalding and lives 
in Upshur County. W. T. Higginbotham died November 25, 1892, and his wife 
July 31, 1871. They were married at "Soldiers Joy" in Nelson County, Virginia, 
that noted old homestead, which was once owned by his grandfather. Col. Samuel 
Jordan Cabell of Revolutionary fame. 

When the Civil War came on John Carleton Higginbotham was eighteen 
years of age, and he raised a company here, known as the "Upshur Greys," and 
was at once elected its captain. They were located at Phillipi, W. Va., at the 
time of Porterfield's retreat, and his was the only company that carried off its 
baggage. He was under fire at the skirmish at Middle Fork Bridge and was 
later in the battle of Rich Mountain and Allegheny Mountain. In the spring of 
1862 he was promoted to Major of the 25th Virginia Infantry, and was in the 
battles of McDowell and of Cedar Creek. At the battle of Manasses he was 
wounded three times. For gallantry on the field, he was made Lieutenant Colo- 
nel of his regiment in 1862, and in January 1863, was promoted to Colonel, being 
then twenty years of age. At the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded while 
commanding his regiment, and in the spring campaign of 1864 his regiment fired 
the first gun in the battle of the Wilderness. He was in the series of battles of 
this campaign until May 10, 1864, when this brave Confederate officer, who had 
been promoted to Brigadier General, was killed at the age of twenty-one years, 
at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House. 

CHARLES EDWARD HINER. a farmer and lumberman of Union 
District, born December 13, 1874, on Big Sand Run. His parents were Joseph 
Hiner, a Union soldier, and Mary Cutright, the daughter of Clark Cutright, the 
son of Jacob Cutright. His father's father, Samuel Hiner, emigrated from Vir- 
ginia in i860, he was the oldest child in his father's family, was educated in the 
common schools and at the age of twenty went forth into the world to take care 
of himself. For three years he clerked in the store of R. M. Manley at Peel Tree, 
and from 1894 to 1903, owned stores at Queens and Overhill. 1904 he spent 
in the wholesale produce business in Wheeling, returned to Upshur to engage in 
the lumber business, which he has successfully followed since. He owns a farm 
of one hundred and fifty acres on Big Sand Run and on April 3, 1894, he was 
married to Dove McDonald, daughter of Dr. Samuel L. and Amanda J. Mc- 
Donald. Children: Claudia, born December 22, 1895; Wilson McDonald, born 
February 2, 1899. 

ANDREW JACKSON HINKLE, was born November 11, 1836, in the 
house where he now lives. His parents were Abijah and Margaret (Wyatt) 



478 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Hinkle. He has two sisters, Susan Cutright, widow of Nathan Cutright and 
Elizabeth Armstrong, widow of John Armstrong. Mr. Hinkle has been mar- 
ried three times. His children by his first wife, Clarissa Cutright, were: Mar- 
garet, Isaac Monroe, Evelyn Dell, Henry Warren, Mary, and Minnie. His 
children by his second wife, Olive Marple were : Amos Sumner, Perry G., Oliver 
Coleman and Minter. And his children by his third wife. Amy Jane Brake, were : 
Maud, Ida, Everett and Unice. 

CLEOPHUS HINKLE, farmer and postmaster at Kerr, W. Va., son of 
Abijah C. and Ellen B. Hinkle. Born January 29, 1876. Married Anna M. 
Radabaugh, daughter of Bezalee and Florence (Brown) Radabaugh, July 15, 
1900. Was a soldier in the Spanish-American Army, enlisted at Elkins, W. Va., 
where he now belongs to the National Guards. Served in army under Captain 
Zann F. Collett and was mustered out at Columbus, Ga., May 5, 1899. 

Children: Lena Pearle, born May 6th, 1901 ; Ruth Evangeline, born May 22, 
1903. 

CYRUS HINKLE, son of Job and Margaret Hadden (Jackson) Hinkle. 
Born December 24, 1839. Raised on a farm and when the Civil War came on 
enlisted in Company I, Third West Mrginia Cavalry, and served throughout 
the war, returned home to his wife whom he had married March 13, 1862, she 
was Marietta Radabaugh, daughter of Benjamin and Fanny (Post) Radabaugh. 

They have no children. 

He married for his second wife, Almira Bridge, of Virginia, and to them 
were born Waitman T. W., Addie Mildred, John S., Delberta Clarence, Harry 
M., Irma Estelle, Jessie E., Margaret B., Minter Franklin, Emory Lafayette. 

FOSTER HINKLE, son of Job Hinkle and Margaret Haddon Jackson, 
the daughter of Edward Haddon Jackson and Rebecca Love, and the grand- 
son of Jonas Hinkle, whose children were: Jehu, Abijah, Annanias, Archibald, 
Job, Valentine and Abram. 

Edward H. Jackson was son of the John Jackson, Jr., son of John Jackson. 

Job Hinkle immigrated from Virginia to this county in 1838, was a farmer, 
a good bible student and local preacher, and his children were: Elizabeth. Jud- 
son B., Cyrus, Minter J., John Swazy, Job Worthington, Alargaret H., Prud- 
ence S., Catherine R. The subject of this sketch, who was born September 7, 
1841, was raised on a farm, was married on ^larch 24, 1865, to ^Nlelvina Ward, 
daughter of Kenza Ward and Phoebe Heavener, the daughter of Nicholas 
Heavener, and their children are: Emma B., (dead) Mae E., Myrtle F., Mar- 
garet, P., (dead) Gyda P., Floda F., Gertrude L., Anna B. 

Foster Hinkle was a soldier in Company I. 3d West Virginia Cavalry. 
Served twelve months as scout under Capt. Sexton, mustered out at Wheeling, 
and is now a pensioner. 

L.A.FAYETTE HINKLE. Owns two hundred and eleven acres of land 
in Warren District, six lots in Buckhannon, two in Hampton, one at Sago and 
sixteen acres at Peck's Run. His birth is dated October 24, 1834. 

He is a son of Valentine Hinkle and Tobitha Jackson, who had five 
children. 

His father's second wife was Malinda Dean and they had five children. 

His father's third wife was Malinda Criss. 

His mother was a descendant of John Jackson and Elizabeth Cummins. 
He is a farmer. Married Louisa Jane Post, daughter of George Post, m 1856. 
She died, June 23, 1902. He married for his second wife, Louisa Jane Post, 



FAMILY HISTORY. 479 

daughter of Granville Post, and their child is Arthur, born April i6, 1905. He 
is a Democrat in politics and was Lieutenant of the Militia before the Civil 
War. 

MARTIN OSCAR HINKLE a farmer and lumberman of Union District, 
born January 5, 1879, son of Anthony Hinkle and Mary Catherine Shreve, the 
daughter of Martin Shreve and Elizabeth Padgett of Virginia. His mother 
was the granddaughter of John B. Shreve, who was so prominent in the early 
history of Upshur County. The subject of this sketch is the direct descendant of 
Hans Lenert Hinkle, who emigrated from Germany^-to Pennsylvania in 1749, 
who had a son named Jonas, who has a son named Jehu, who was the father of 
Anthony. He was raised on Laurel Fork, and at the age of 14, began saw mill- 
ing and after working two years at this business, he applied himself to cutting 
timber, which he has followed since. He owns 43 acres of land on Big Sand 
Run, the site of the old Johnson Mill. He married Emma Jane Kesling, daughter 
of Sobiscay Kesling and Catherine Lowe, the granddaughter of Wm. Kesling 
and Mildred Jack, on July 29, 1899. Children : Raymond Eugene, born May 22, 
1901, and Beulah Blanche, born January 26, 1904. 

BAXTER COLEMAN HODGES, a retail hardware merchant of Buck- 
hannon, was born December i, 1874, on Three Lick, a branch of Turkey Run, 
the son of James F. Hodges and Elizabeth C. Ireland, the daughter of John Ire- 
land and Olive Loudin and the granddaughter of Alexander Ireland and Sarah 
Jackson, who was a daughter of John Jackson, Jr., the son of John Jackson of 
England, who married Elizabeth Cummins of Londonberry. ElizalDeth Cum- 
mins was the first owner of the land on which Buckhannon now stands. John 
Jackson, the younger, married Mary Hadden, the sister of the grandmother of 
Stonewall Jackson. In the Alexander Iseland family, were six sons and five 
daughters, John, David, Elizabeth, Rebecca, wife of Jacob Lorentz ; Jonathan, 
William, Perry, Mary J., and Marietta, wife of Daniel Carper. 

The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was John Ryan Hodges, his 
wife was Elizabeth Warren Brown, the daughter of Edward Brown of Louisa 
County, Va. He settled in Upshur County, October 31, 1846, near Lorentz, 
and his father was Thomas Hodges and his mother was a Miss Ryan of Ireland. 
In the John R. Hodges family were thirteen children : Thomas, Edward, John 
Henry, Sarah Jane, Charles Kelley, Lucy Catherine, Elizabeth, James F., Oscar 
F., Mildred Simpson, George M., and Theophilus E., Milanda Ann and B. B, 

James F. Hodges was a school teacher for ten years in Upshur County 
before his removal to Calhoun County, in 1878. He was a merchant, farmer 
and stock dealer in Calhoun County, and moved from that county to Wirt 
County, and from thence to Richie County and thence to Monongalia County, 
where he died, leaving a family of seven children, three sons and four daugh- 
ters: Bernie Alice, Olive Ireland ,Warren Hampton, Eliza Pearl, Alexander 
Templeton, Mabel Claire and the subject of this sketch, who was educated in 
the public schools of Calhoun County, taught three years in Richie County, was 
a student in the West Virginia University, was engaged in the dairy business 
in Pennsylvania and Buckhannon until he purchased the hardware stores of 
Guy M. Gribble and Hall Hardware company, which he is now running. 

CHARLES HOLT. Native of Doddridge County, born March. 17, 1873. 
Son of William E. and Mary Isabella (Jones) Holt. Grandson of Joseph and 
Mariah (Hare) Holt and Thomas A. and Melissa (William) Jones. 



480 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Moved with parents to Buckhannon in 1890. Entered public school of town, 
completing high school course, then graduated under B. M. Mclver, in the 
Commercial Department of West Virginia Conference Seminary in 1S94. 

Bookkeeper of Alton Lumber and Coal Company four years and lumber 
inspector for same three years. Resigned September i, 1901 to accept position in 
the Buckhannon Bank, made Assistant Cashier of that institution July 7, 1903, 
which position he held until January i, 1906, then went to the Traders' National 
Bank in the same capacity. 

He married Laura Bell Murphy of Newark, Ohio, daughter of Hugh D. 
and Mary (Cunningham) Murphy, October 2, 19CX). 

Child: Eleanor Frances, born August 2, 1904. 

DAVID H. HOLLEN, is a merchant of Queens, Upshur County. Had 
been in the lumber business and milling business at Queens all his life till he en- 
tered the mercantile trade. 

He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, has been class leader, 
steward and Sunday school superintendent of the local church. 

Has held the office of trustee of the District School and votes the Democratic 
ticket. 

He is the son of William F. HoUen, who had two brothers and one sister, 
John A., born September 19, 1844; Zebulon C, born November 25, 1847; now 
dead; and Mary E., born December 26, 1841. 

William F. moved from Pendleton County, Va., now W. Va., to Barbour 
County, Va., now W. Va., with his parents in the year 1858. He married Han- 
nah Criss, of Barbour County, W. Va., the daughter of Henry and Phoebe 
(Ward) Criss. 

His father was bom in Pendleton County, Va. He was the son of Welling- 
ton Hollen, born May 6, 1816, and Rachel Hinkle. 

Children of W. F. Hollen: Charles W., bom October 13, 1861 ; Robert Lee, 
born August 6, 1863; Laura B., born October 12, 1867, died March 10, 1886; 
Joe Ella, born February 19, 1869; Luetta, born December 3, 1872; David H., 
born July 23, 1875; Ora, born November 17, 1877; Guy O., born April 13, 1879; 
William F., Jr., born September i, 1882; Henry Clyde, bom May 4, 1885, died 
May 20, 1886; Ocie Elva, bom March i, 1888. 

The subject of this sketch was married April 11, 1900, to Bertha Stansberry, 
the daughter of Elijah Stansberry and Celia Boggess, and the granddaughter of 
John Boggess and Delilah Boyles. 

Mr. Holland and his wife are both members of the M. P. Church and were 
married by Rev. J. A. Cobb of that Church. 

Children: Dana Marie, born December 22, 1901 ; Racel Kale, born June 19, 
1906. 

ORA L. HOOK was born December 29, 1874. Her parents were Jasper 
Lorentz and Cynthia J. Cheuning, whose parents were James and Polly Cheuning 
of Staunton, Va. On her father's side her ancestry begins in this country with 



FAMILY HISTORY. 481 

Jacob Lorentz, the first merchant and one of the largest farmers In tTie Buck- 
hannon settlement. Married John M. Hook, November 7, 1888. 

Children : Nora, Osie, Laura, Naoma, Paula and Bertha. 
GEORGE THOMAS HOOVER, son of Nicholas Hoover and Rachel 
Casto, the daughter of Andrew Casto and Rachel Outright, who was the 
daughter of Abram Cutright, the son of John Outright, who married Deborah 
Osborne. Born March 21. 1871. Farmer, mechanic and sur%'eyor of lands. 
He married Mary L. McCann, daughter of S. D. McOann. Children: Frantie 
Meryl, Rachel Roxanna and Osa. He owns eighty-three acres of land in Meade 
District and is a Democrat in politics. 

BENJAMIN HORNBECK, born November 20, 1832, in Harrison County, 
son of Moses Hornbeck, who was born in 1785 and died in 1873. His mother 
was Mary Light the daughter of John Light. 

He is a farmer and owns forty-one acres on Gum Run, Upshur County. 

He and his family are members of the M. E. Church and those who can 
vote are affiliated with the Republican party. 

In 1855 he married Mary Lanham, the daughter of Jerry Lanham and Fanny 
Woodford and the granddaughter of Jerry Lanham of Virginia. 

Children: Matilda, born July 5, 1856; George, born August 21, 1858; E. I., 
born January 28, 1865 ; Esta Ida, born February 2, 1868. 

Matilda married Isaac Gooden and Patrick Phillips ; George married Emerly 
Brooks; E. I. married Deemy Reed; Esta Ida married P. S. Hinkle. 

The Hornbecks are of German descent. 

The subject of this sketch was a private in Company E of the ist regiment 
of the West Virginia Cavalry, after July 20, 1863 and until March 6, 1864. 

Mr. Hornbeck has thirty grandchildren. 

GEORGE FRANKLIN HORNBECK is a farmer of Washington District, 
Near Kedron Postoffice. Owns fifty acres of land. Is M. E. Class leader. 
Was born August 21, 1858, son of Benjamin 0. Hornbeck and Mary Lanham, 
the daughter of Jeremiah Lanham and the grandson of Moses Hornbeck. 

His father was a soldier in Company E, ist West Virginia Light Artillery, 
known as the Upshur Battery. 

The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and educated in the District 
Schools and on graduating therefrom married Emily Jane Brooks, the 
daughter of .A.lbert and Rebecca (Hart) Brooks and the granddaughter of Elijah 
Hart of Randolph County and their children are : Ivy Ann, dead ; Mirta Colum- 
bie, wife of Chesley Osborne ; Benjamin Albert, married Alinnie Tallman ; Joseph 
Alfred; Gracie Bell, wife of Gordon Lamb; Mary Ellen; Edward Harrison; 
Lizzie, dead ; Louvinia and Ira McKinley. 

FOUNTAIN H. HOWELL, son of Larkin Howell and Sarah Wilfong, 
the daughter of Henry Wilfong, was a soldier in Company B, under Captain 
Mearns and Captain J. L. Gould, volunteered at Buckhannon in 1862, and was 
mustered out at Richmond at the close of the war. Was raised on a farm and 
is now a farmer on little Sand Run. 

Married Catherine Miller, daughter of Joseph Miller, and to them have been 
given seven children, whose names are, Addie, George, Albert, John Benco, 
Ervin, Bertha May, Myrtle Lee. 



482 FAMILY HISTORY. 

LEWIS HOWES was of English descent and a whaler by trade. Living 
on Cape Cod, near Boston. He had two sons, Joseph and Mark. Mark was not 
married. Joseph married a Miss-Shertliff and to them were born. John, Joseph, 
Oliver, Emory, Levi, Silas and Sylvia. Joseph the second married a Shertliff in 
1826, in Upshur County, and to this union were born, six sons and three 
daughters, three of the sons died in infancy, the three living sons were Luther, 
who died at Weston, Mason, who died at Martinsburg, Fenlon, who lives at 
Belington, West Virginia. The girls were Eliza, Lucinda and Mary. John, the 
son of Joseph, Sr., married Catherine Pringle, daughter of John Pringle and 

Cutright, sister of Andrew Cutright, in 1826, and their children were 

Philander, who married Cyntha Ann Gould, to whom were born six boj'S and two 
daughters; Randolph, John, William, Watson, Calvin and Sydney, Mary and 
Delany. Randolph Howes married Eliza Parker in Ritchie County, in 1872, 
and their children were: William and Leslie, Mary, Maggie, Alice, Nancy and 
one died in infancy. John Howes married Susan William in 1882. William 
Howes married Maggie Sutton in i8go, Watson Howes married Alice Hartman 
in 1904, Calvin Howes married Bessie Simmons, 1901, and Sidney Howes married 
Helen Lemon in 1895, and Alta Reeder in 1903. 

The daughter of John Howes, Sr., whose name was Lois married Joseph 
Gould. 

JOHN T. HUFF, physician and surgeon of Buckhannon, W. Va., was born 
in Port Republic, Va., July 14, 1833, son of John Huff, grandson of John Huff 
and great grandson of John Huff, who came from Germany about 1784, settling 
in Pennsylvania and being the father of eight sons, one of whom was the grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch. His grandfather moved from Pa. to London 
County, Va., and there married a Miss White, and then moved to Augusta 
County, the father married Miss Malbina Hudson of Augusta County, and went 
to Rockingham County, Va., where Dr. John T. was born, raised and educated. 
He was educated for his profession at the Medical College of Virginia, in Rich- 
mond, and the Winchester Medical College from which latter he graduated in 
1859 ; since that time he has devoted himself exclusively to the practice of medi- 
cine in Virginia, and West Virginia. 

At the outbreak of the war he was made inspecting surgeon of the army 
recruiting in Northwestern Va., at Fetterman, Taylor County, and went with this 
army through the battle of Phillippi June 3, 1861, at which battle he performed 
so far as is now known, the first surgical operation of the war, that of the ampu- 
tation of the leg of Leroy Parker Daingerfield. After his services in the war 
were ended he located in LTpshur County, where he has been practising for ~ 
twenty-five years and more, was pension examiner, health officer of Upshur 
County and Buckhannon town for several years. The original name or German 
of Huff was Hoff, which has since been corrupted. In 1865 he married Louisa 
C. Moyers of Highland County, Va., and their children are: Eula, Olga, Hope, 
Ford, Lona, Lela, Boyd and Nina. 

He is a Presbyterian in religion and a Democrat in politics. 
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HUFFMAN, a farmer of Meade District. 
Born November 10, 1863, son of Anthony J. Huffman and Lucinda Caste, 
daughter of Andy Casto and Rachel Cutright, and the grandson of Joseph 
Huffman and Elizabeth Tevalt. His father came from Hampshire County to 
what is now Upshur County in 1850, settling on Indian Camp Run. His 
brothers and sisters were : Joseph William, who married Jemima Ann Bean, 
Frances, the wife of George Hoover, and Barbara Etta, single. He married Mary 



FAMILY HISTORY. 483 

Viola Howse, daughter of Philander P. Howse and Cynthia A. Gould, daughter 
oi Nathan Gould, Jr., January 8, 1891. 

Children: Clarence Elihu, Averill Ray, Ashford William, Elbert Lee, 
Bailey Albert, Jeffie Franklin and Pearl Frances. 

DRAPER CAMDEN HUGHES, a descendant of a well known family of 
Wales and Ireland, his ancestors in America first settled at Leesburg, Loudon 
County, Va., 1732, and was one of the incorporators of that town. In 1780, 
James Hughes, then living in Jefferson County, Va., went to Greene County, Pa., 
settling at Carmichaels on Muddy Creek. His son, Felix, had a son whose name 
was Francis, who had a son by the name of John N. Hughes. Francis Hughes 
moved from Pennsylvania to Monongalia County, Va., in the forties and his son 
John N. returned, to Green Academy to complete his education after which he 
taught school and studied law in Monongalia County. In 1851, he married Sarah 
A. Howell, daughter of Capel Howell and moved to Beverley, Randolph County, 
to practice his profession. In i860 he was elected to the Virginia 
legislature, and in 1861 he was elected to the Virginia Convention, 
which passed the ordinance of secession, voting for the ordinance. On July 11, 
John N. Hughes was detailed to carry a message from Col. Scott to Col. Pegram, 
concerning the battle of Rich Mountain, and was killed in the discharge of his 
duties as messenger by his own friends through mistaken identification. The 
subject of this sketch was born March 24, 1853, in Monongalia County, and was 
a son of John N. Hughes and Sarah Howell. 

Soon after the battle of Philippi his father sent his family east as far as 
McDowell, Highland County, where they remained until late in 1861, and at 
which time Mrs. Hughes brought her children back to the home of Uriah Heavner 
in Pocahontas County. In January 1862, through the influence of her father a 
Federal escort was furnished her on her return home to Monongalia County, 
where D. C. was raised and educated until seventeen years of age. At this time 
he went to Kingwood, Preston County, W. Va., to learn the carpenter trade. On 
the 6th day of April, 1876, he married Flora Elliot and unto this union eight 
children have been born, whose names are John Elliot, Mary A., Paul Camden, 
Pitt Loudin, Frank Howell, Bessie Jean, Mark Stratzman, Iva Beryl. 

Mr. Hughes's wife was daughter of Dr. Felix Elliott and Mary Startzman. 
In 1880 in the month of September he came to Buckhannon to superintend the 
erection of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and being impressed with the town, 
moved here in 1883. He formed a partnership with L. P. Loudin and erected 
the first planing mill in LTpshur County. In 1890 he sold his interest in the 
planing mill business and entered upon the profession of architecture to which 
he is giving all his attention at the present time. He was mayor of Buckhannon 
three vears in succession. 

WILLIAM BOON HULL, born in Highland County, Va., November 9, 
1824. Married Mary Ann Hoover, September 3, 1849, ^^'^ the same year they 
came to the West Fork River waters and located on what is now known as 
Straight Fork, W. Va. 

Children : Laura Elizabeth, James Wesley, Joseph Crawford, William Boon, 
Jr., Olive Arminta, Florence Bell, Mary Susan, Iris Wade, and Charles Lee. 

The great great grandfather of William Boon Hull was Adam Hull, fhe 
grandfather of Peter Hull. The grandmother was Hester Kester of Pendleton 
County. 

The subject of this sketch is removed but three generations from the great 
hunter and scout, Daniel Boone, for whom he was named, and from whom he in- 
herited his great love of hunting. He was young in spirit, always anxious to en- 



484 FAMILY HISTORY. 

gage with the boys in their games at school and elsewhere, and was liked by 
young people very much. 

He made a reputation in keeping bees, whose honey was marketed in all the 
country around and could only be excelled by the maple sugar and syrup, which 
he made. He was one of the old pioneers who came and bought land covered 
with thick forests and cleared out a large farm, paying for it in selling the pro- 
ducts thereof, while raising his large family. 

Mr. Hull lived a life of earnest faithfulness in all details, such that erects its 
own monument in the hearts of his neighbors and friends more lasting than 
granite. He was a member of the M. E. Church, South. In politics a Democrat, 
and he died July ii, 1906, and is buried in the Chestnut Flat Cemetery, near his 
old home. 

JOHN BURR HUNT, born August 3, 1870, near Hinkleville, son of Jacob 
Hunt and Louisa Jane Crites, the daughter of Jacob Crites and Lucinia Gillett, 
raised on a farm and is a farmer owning sixty-eight acres of land on Big 
Laurel Run, of Buckhannon River, in Meade District. Combined with his farm- 
ing he owns horses and does considerable drawing and team work. 

He married Ida L. Hosaflook, daughter of William A. Hosaflook and 
Rebecca Ann Simon, the daughter of Isaac Simon, on December 24, 1891. 

Children: William Clark, born September 30, 1892; Jacob Oscar, bom 
December 27, 1893. 

LLOYD MARCELLUS HUNT, born July 22, 1868, son of Jacob Hunt 
and Louisa Jane Price, and grandson of John Hunt, who was accidently killed 
near Waterloo Church. His grandmother was a Miss Pringle. He was 
born and raised near Hinkleville and because his father was a private in the 
Upshur Militia, the son has always been a Republican. He now lives on Laurel 
Run, Meade District and owns a farm of ten acres. 

He married Ora Virginia Cutright, daughter of Peter and Malinda Ann 
Bean Cutright, August 27, 1887. 

Children : Charlotte, Ida Lewella, Alta Pearl, .Agenetta, Treva and John 
Truman. 

DAVID CASKELL HUNTER, a retired pensioner, born September 15, 
1837, in Ohio. The son of David and Elizabeth (Mellow) Hunter. He was a 
soldier in Company G, 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War. acted 
as color bearer under General Phil. Sheridan, during his campaign in the Valley 
of Virginia, and for his gallan'ry was commissioned Captain. He was police of 
Buckhannon from 1891 to 1895. ^^ married Hester Schofield, daughter of 
William Schofield of Ohio. His wife died in 1895. 

Children : Dudley, Grant D., Irene, and Ada. 

GRANT DOVERNOR HUNTER, born in Toledo. Ohio. April 16, 1S68, 
son of David Caldwell and Hester (Schofield) Hunter. Moved to Buckhannon 
m 1895, in order to be in the center of his field as Traveling Salesman for 
Craft Brothers and Rosenburg. Wholesalers of General Notions and Daniel 
Miller and Pierre Bros, Baltimore. 

He married Bertha Blanche Heavner, daughter of Gideon M. and Barbara 
B. (Neff) Heavner, January i, 1895. He served two terms as Councilman of 
Buckhannon. 

Childrn: Hester Mabel, born February 22, 1897; Edward Heavner, Sep- 
tember 18. 1902. 

LIEUT. COL. JOHN LOUIS HURST. A history of Upshur County, 



FAMILY HISTORY. 485 

W. Va., written within the past forty years would be incomplete without at 
least a reference to the subject of this sketch, whose name is so closely asso- 
ciated with many of its most important interests, and with all who know his, is 
synonymous with enterprise, energy and success. Lieut. Col John L. Hurst 
was born April ii, 1844, in Charlottesville, Va. His father, John Hurst, was 
bom and reared in Philadelphia, Pa., where a number of his family still reside. 
The mother's maiden name was Mary Underwood. She was descended from two 
of the oldest and most distinguished families in Virginia, viz: the Underwoods 
of Goochland County, Va., and the Slaughters of Culpepper County, Va. The 
thrill of patriotism which in 1861 swept over our land, and in those days trans- 
formed even our beardless boys into stalwart men, whose hearts were throbbing 
high with dauntless valor, awoke a responsive chord in the heart of John L. 
Hurst, which did not cease to throb until the last bugle call of the war was 
sounded. His first enlistment was as first lieutenant of Company E in the 
Fourth West Virginia Cavalry. March 15, 1864, we find his name and rank 
as captain of Company M, Third West Virginia Cavalry. May 23, 1865, pro- 
moted for special bravery and commissioned major. The crisis of the war was 
almost reached, and for ten days Custer's men were without orders to unsaddle. 
Their valor and marvelous ability of endurance was equaled only by their com- 
rades in arms, and their fellow countrymen who were their opponents. For 
Col. J. L. Hurst, perhaps, one of his most interesting personal experiences was 
the world-famed and unparalleled twenty miles ride, which he made as com- 
mander of Gen. Sheridan's escort from Martinsburg to Cedar Creek, on that 
ever memorable 19th day of October, 1864. March 6, 1865, he was commis- 
sioned Brevet Lieutenant Colonel. 

After the war he was for six years Clerk of the Circuit Court of Upshur 
County. Has served as mayor and frequently as a member of the town council, 
also as a director of the State Insane Asylum at Weston, W. Va. 

CHARLES EDWIN HYER, son of John William and Sarah Ann (Rohr- 
bough) Hyer, grandson of Jacob Hyer and great grandson of John Hyer the 
first Miller in Upshur County, was born April 23, 1878 in Buckhannon, where 
he has lived all his life. Married Ida Belle Smith, daughter of George Dameron 
and Louisa Jane (Curry) Smith, October 7, 1900. Mr. Hyer's father was a 
private in the Upshur Battery, during the Civil War. 

Children : Harold Smith, born March 10, 1902 ; Helen Margarite. born 
October 23, 1904. 

JOHN D. HYER, son of Leonard Hyer, the grandson of John Hyer, who 
•removed from the valley of Virginia to this part of the state, settling on Brushy 
'Fory run, or what is now known as the Noah Hyer farm. Leonard Hyer was 
born in the valley of Virginia about the year 1776, and was a small boy when his 
fathrr emigrated to the Buckhannon water. John Hyer, the grandfather, bought 
a tract of land in Finks Run, of Edward Jackson, the land and now known as the 
John D. Hyer farm. This purchase included the land now owned by Thomas B. 
Farnsworth. son of Thomas J. Farnsworth. John D. Hyer acquired this land, 
cleared it up and was the owner of four farms at the time of his death. Leonard 
Hyer married Catherine Loudin, daughter of John Loudin, of Harrison County. 
He died in 1829. 

John D. Hyer was born November 4, 1799, was raised on his father's farm 
on Turkey Run, and married Barbara Crites, daughter of Abraham and Susan 
Crites, September 5, 1820. He devoted himself exclusively to agriculture and 
stock raising. In 1823 he built a house on his farm, in which he afterwards re- 



486 FAMILY HISTORY. 

sided, and which is still standing and in good repair. He died November 8, 1892, 
and his wife died December 16, 1892. She was 88 years and two days old at the 
time of her death. Mr. and Mrs. John D. Hyer had been married seventy-two 
years and two months, at the time of John D. Hyer's death. They both were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and were hospitable and 
generous ever to the ministers of that denomination, as well as to their relatives, 
friends and acquaintances. 

WILLIAM RASELL HYER, son of John W. and Susan Ann Merrion 
(Rhorbough) Hyer. Born March 18, 1875, in Buckhannon, where he still lives. 
His father was a soldier in the Upshur Battery during the Civil War. His 
mother was a daughter of Jacob Rohrbough. He married Ida May Shreve 
May 26, 1900, and to them were born Ralph William, April 19, 1901 ; Charles 
Homer, November 17, 1903, and Wilson White Hyer, January 27, 1907. 

CHARLES MARION HYRE, born June 5, 1866. Married October 2, 
1894, to Ida May (Marteny) Hyre, who was born November 4, 1875. Their 
children are: Brenice Margaret, French Marion and Harold Marteny. 

Mr. Hyre is a son of Turner Hyre, who was the son of Peter Hyre. His 
mother was Elizabeth Hefner, daughter of Jonathan Hefner, of Slab Camp. 

Ida May (Marteny) Hyre is a daughter of John Marteny, who was a son of 
Daniel Marteny of Barbour County. The Marteny family were formerly of 
Virginia. 

The subject of this sketch has lived in Upshur County all of his life, with the 
exception of the years 1905, and 1906, which were spent in Kansas. When he re- 
turned to Upshur County, he bought what is known as the Nicholas farm, near 
Frenchton, which contains 118 acres, the most of which is improved through 
which the new railroad passes. 

Mr. Hvre is a member of the M. E. Church and a Republican in politics. 

PETER S. HYRE, born June 28, 1871, grandson of Elijah and Margaret 
(Loudin) Hyre. His grandmother was a daughter of Thomas Loudin. 

Mr. Hyre's domicile is in Warren District. His first wife was Alverta 
Alderman, daughter of Silas D. Alderman, to whom he was joined in Holy 
Wedlock December 25, 1891. Her mother was Mary DeBarr before her mar- 
riage to Mr. Alderman. Child: Eva C. Hyer. 

Mr. Hyre's second wife was Ida Bennett, daughter of James T. Bennett, a 
son of Silas Bennett, whose matrimony was solemnized October 6, 1898, and 
their children are : Raymond S., Reta Mav, Nola Grace and Eliza Ruth. 

CLINTON D. JACK, is the son of 'Anson and Emily (Hefner) Jack. His 
father was a member of the Upshur Militia, that was captured at Centerville in 
1862. The last heard of him was that he was imprisoned in Libby Prison. 

Mr. Jack had one sister and no brothers, his sister, Dora E. Jack, is the wife 
of Dr. Sharp of Marion County. He married Alice I. Cutright, daughter of Lot 
and Isabella Cutright and has valuable real estate near Hampton, where he lives. 

JOHN WILLIAM JACK, a native of Pendleton County, is of Irish and 
Dutch descent. He was born December 7, 1843. His parents were Thomas 
Jack and Frances Hoover. His grandfather was William Jack of Highland 
County, Va. When John W. was about six months' old his father emigrated 
from Pendleton County to the waters of Buckhannon river, thence to Lewis 
County, and thence to Big Sand Run, where father and son have since lived. 
He enlisted in Company D, Tenth West Virginia Infantry, under Captain 
Thomas Mearns, in 1862, and served in that company until he was mustered 
out at Beverly in 1865. While in the army he had the measles, on which he 



FAMILY HISTORY. 487 

contracted a cold, resulting in chronic rheumatism, which is the infirmity which 
brings him a pension of $12. 

He married Mary Elizabeth Rexroad, the daughter of Rev. George W. Rex- 
road of Virginia, a prominent preacher in the U. B. in Christ Conference of 
Virginia, on March 18, 1868, and immediately began his career as a farmer 
of Union District, Upshur County. 

Children : Eliga, Mahalia, Barbara Ellen, Frances Almira, John, Annie, 
Columbus, Edward, Kenison, George Washington. Nira, Nora Amy, Virgie 
Grace and Ira. 

CHARLES FOUNTAIN JACKSON, a farmer of Buckhannon District, 
two miles south of the county seat ; son of Minter J. Jackson ; grandson of 
Edward H. Jackson; great grandson of John Jackson, jr., who was the son of 
John Jackson, Sr., and Elizabeth Cummins, first owners of the land on which 
Buckhannon is now situated. 

Charles Jackson owns a valuable farm and is interested in live stock, 
especially cattle and horses. 

October 4, 1905, he married Theodora Charlotte Engle-Moore, a native of 
York, Pa., in which city her ancestors on both sides have lived for two hundred 
years. Her father, Hon. J. C. Engle-Moore, Associate Judge of York County, 
was a member of the Dunckel family, famous in the counties of Southern Penn- 
sylvania, founded by Johann Daniel Dunckel, a nobleman of Strasburg, who was 
Secretary of State for Louis 15th of France. On her mother's side she is a 
lineal descendant of Col. John Hay, of Revolutionary fame. Her mother was 
Catherine L. Cox, eldest daughter of Joshua Hamilton-Cox Bart, a lineal descen- 
dant of Sir Richard Cox, Bishop of Ely, and Lord Paisley, ancestor of the Duke 
of Abercorn. 

On her father's side, the generations run: J. C. E. Moore, son of John 
Moore, son of Peter Englemohr, who married a daughter of Daniel Dunckel, 
the son of Peter Dunckel. the son of Johann Dunckel. 

On her mother's side, Catherine L. Cox, was the daughter of Charlotte 
Barnitz, the daughter of John Barnitz, the son of John George Carl Barnitz. 

HENRY m". JACKSON, is a farmer of Warren District, owning 100 acres 
of land. He is a lumberman at times. The date of his birth is fixed as Febru- 
ary 18, 1875. His parentage is related closely to the first inhabitants of the 
Buckhannon settlement. His father was Marion O. Jackson, a soldier in the 
Civil War, and his mother was Columbus Dean, a daughter of Marshall Dean. 
His grandfather was Henry Jackson, who was the son of John Jackson and 
Elizabeth Cummins of London, England, and among the first settlers at Buck- 
hannon. Therefore the subject of this sketch is a second cousin of the Immortal 
Stonewall Jackson on his father's side. His grandmother was Betsy Shreves. 

His brothers and sisters are: Hattie, wife of Newton Lanham and Cora, 
wife of Lloyd Kesling, Minter J., Jr., single and M. W., dead. 

His father is dead and his mother is living. 

His wife was Zona Strader, the daughter of Wellington Strader and Eliza- 
beth Tenney, a daughter of Washington Tenney. She was a granddaughter of 
Michael Strader and the great granddaughter of John Strader, who married a 
Miss Post. 

He has one living child, Marv, born March 30, 1904. 

MINTER JOSEPH JACKSON, born on the farm where he now lives, 
January 3, 1825, the son of Edward Haddon and Rebecca (Love) Jackson. Has 
been a farmer and capitalist, except few years he was engaged in the Mercantile 



488 FAMILY HISTORY. 

business in St. Louis, Mo. Married Harriet Cummings, daughter of James F. 
and Octavia (Stalnaker) Cummings. 

Children : Luella, dead ; Thomas J., dead ; Mary Ellen, wife of W. B. Car- 
per ; Charles F., married Theodora Moore of Pennsylvania ; Edward M., mar- 
ried Osie Reed of Barbour County, Floride. 

ROBERTSON JACKSON, was born in Cumberland County, Va., in 1850. 
Is the son of Peter Jackson and Caroline Jarrett. When but a few months old his 
parents emigrated from Virginia, to Western Virginis, settling on the waters of 
Turkey Run. He is of Scotch Irish descent, his father being born in Scotland 
and immigrating to this country in 1824. He is a farmer. 

Married Matilda J. Martin, who was accidently burned to death December 
12, 1904. 

ALBERT LEWIS JOHNSON, son of J. M. and Margaret (Alexander) 
Johnson, of Albermarle County, Va., a carpenter and mechanic by trade. 

Married Mary Radabaugh, daughter of Adam Radabaugh, July 24, 1862, 
ceremony was performed by Rev. Elias Bennett. Moved to Buckhannon in 1890 
and claims to have voted against the ordinance of secession in his Virginia home. 

Children: Luella, wife of G. W. Flint, Margaret C, wife of Edwin Maxon; 
Lon D., whose wife is Lucy Lanham, and E. W. 

JOHN M. JOHNSON of Bois, Webster County. Born March 21, 1847, 
in Buckhannon. His parents were John N. and Margaret (Alexander) Johnson. 
In youth his father moved from Buckhannon to a farm, where he lived and worked 
until he went away from home to learn the carpenter trade. 

Pie married Columbia Lance, daughter of Noah and Catherine (Teets) 
Lance, March 9, 1871. 

He farmed and worked at his trade until 1887, when he moved to Webster 
County and began farming exclusively. He now owns two thousand acres of 
land and has been Justice of the Peace four years. County Commissioner six years 
and Postmaster at Bois ten years. 

Children: Rosa Lee, wife of Robert Berry of Braxton County; Noah Wade, 
married Lanora Laughly of Braxton County ; John A., married Stella Douglas of 
Braxton County; Henry L., was a soldier in the Spanish-American Army; 
Samuel Creed, married Stella Squires; Leonard E., married Mary Helmick; 
Laura, wife of Alfred McClain ; Winfield Scott, dead ; Franklin K., married a 
Miss McClain of Lewis County ; Mollie, wife of W. A. McConkey ; Reason, mar- 
ried Hattie Heaton ; Maud E., married A. D. Shock of Gilmer County, W. Va. : 
A. P., Charles A. and Lena Grace, at home. 

ALJOURN GRANT KARICKHOFF. born 1870, September 23, near 
Peck's Run, raised on a farm, educated in the public schools and is now a farmer 
owning sixty acres of good garden and live stock land. He married Lewella 
White for his first wife, she was the daughter of Newton White, their child is 
named Hobart. His second wife was Cosby Strader, daughter of Job Strader, 
whom he married in 1902. 

JAMES LUTHER KARICKHOFF, born March 28, 1867, on Turkey Run. 
Educated in the public schools and the West Virginia Conference Seminary, 
graduating in the Normal Course in 1895. He taught school for ten years and 
exclusively in Warren District, near his home, afterwards went to farming, which 
he has followed with marked success, now owning a farm of one hundred and 
twenty-six acres near Peck's Run. He married Cora E. Wees, the daughter of 
Rev. D. C. Wees and Mary Tallman, on August 9, i8g6. 

Children: V. Rosalind, born July i, 1897; Percy C, bom October 12, 1898;: 



FAMILY HISTORY. 489 

Julia Rosevelta, born July 15, 1900; Lewis Shields, born July 15, 1902; Mary 
Wees, born July 27, 1904. 

JOHN WILLIAM KARICKHOFF, son of Louis and Julia Ann (Faught) 
Karickoff, born August 4, 1848, in Rockingham County, Va. When one year 
old his father moved to Peck's Run, where the subject of this sketch was raised. 

Married Elizabeth Teter, daughter of Alva and Catherine Strader Teter, and 
to this union were born three children : Granville Roy, graduate of Seminary, 
died December 8, 1896; Mertie May, wife of J. Blair Gum, and Alva married Anna 
Robinson, daughter of J. B. and Martha Robinson, of Craigmoor, Harrison 
County. 

LOUIS KARICKHOFF, a native of Rockingham County, Virginia. Born 
April 30, 181 1. His first wife was Susan Woods of Virginia and to them were 
given three children, whose names are Angelina, wife of David Casto, Samuel, 
Robert Henry. His second wife was aliso a Virginia lady by the name of Julia 
Ann Faught and their children were: John, David, Preston, Elizabeth, Charles, 
George, Sarah, James L., Aljourn G., Sherman, Angelia. 

He was a blacksmith when he immigrated to this country and combined this 
trade with farming, and eventually quit blacksmithing and gave his attention 
entirely to farming. 

SAMUEL W.' KARICKHOFF, born in Rockingham County, Va., Septem- 
ber 6, 1841. Came to Lewis County in 1849, with his parents, Louis and Mary' 
S. (Woods) Karickhoff. Worked on the farm while his father worked at the 
forge as a blacksmith for the community, during young manhood, thus becoming 
enamored of farming he has always followed it. 

Married Violetta Alice Casto, daughter of Job Casto and Samantha 
(Marple) Casto, Octber i, 1867. 

Children : Lloyd L., married Ida C. White ; Ada Florence, married Ira T. 
White; Floyd L., married Addie Corder ; Job L., married Isa M. Nutter, and 
the youngest child, Warwick L., is at home. 

ABRAM KELLEY, is a farmer of Buckhannon District, born September 
30, 1861. His father James Kelley was a Union soldier in the Civil War, his 
mother, Aurilla Allman was the daughter of Abram Allman. His wife was Rosa 
Lee Tenney, the daughter of William L. Tenney and Nancy Moody. Their 
children were Lon, Elizabeth, William, Nola, Gertrude, Lilly and Eva. 

WILLIAM KELLEY, born July 20, 1875. Son of Nathan Calvin and 
Emily (Hefner) Kelly. His mother was a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth 
(Propts) Hefner and the granddaughter of Peter Hefner, who was among the 
first settlers of Beach Town. Calvin Kelly was a soldier in the Civil War, was 
in CompanyA, ist West Virginia Cavalry, was shot through the hip and is now 
a resident of Wirt County, W. Va. His first wife was the widow of Anson R. 
Jack, one of the militia captured at Centerville and died at Andersonville. 

The subject of this sketch has the following brothers and sisters: Alia, the 
wife of Isaac Casto; Ella, the wife of Lloyd Hinkle; Maggie, the wife of James 
A. Miller ; Martha, wife of Thomas Miller. 

William Kelly married Roxanna Farrar, a daughter of Charles Farrar, and 
to this marriage have been born two children: Paul, born May 17, igoi ; Hazel, 
born April 5, 1905. 

Mr. Kelly lives at Hampton, was an employe of the B. & O. R. R., and is 
now a farmer. 

ALLEN J. KESLING, bom September 11, 1841, son of James Kesling 
and Mary (Wamsley) Kesling. To this union were born six children, three 



490 FAMILY HISTORY. 

sons and three daughters : Louisa Kesling, born July 29, 1825 ; Mary Kesling, 
bom May 19, 1830; Ruth Kesling, born May 20, 1832; James S. Kesling, born 
July 29, 1837; Isaac N. Kesling, bom May 10, 1839; Ellen J. Kesling, born 
September 11, 1841, and is a farmer of Union District. In 1861 he became a 
member of the Home Guards, 133d regiment, as a drummer, and his father 
was fifer. He was the first person to operate threshing and mowing machines 
in Union District. He has been agent for A. B. Farquier Co. He was mar- 
ried to Louisa J. Dean, daughter of John, and Catherine Dean, Januan.- 4, i860. 
To this union were born si.x children: Mary Ellen, bom February 23, 1681, 
dead: James, born March, 1862, dead; Eufamus. born February 17, 1863; 
Florie Iness, born January 31, 1865, dead; John Sipton, born March 7, 1869, 
dead; Lee Virchus, born JNIarch 18, 1877. 

Mr. Kesling has sixteen grandchildren, and is 66 years old. 
Eufama Kesling was married to B. F. Winans. To this union was born 
five children: James B., Icy B., John, Minta Blanche and LiUa Belle. 
Lunvada Kesling, daughter of Eufama Kesling. 

Florie Iniss Kesling was married to L. D. Sandridge. To this union were 
born four children : Malta, Hutton, Herbert, dead ; Osten. 

Lee V. Kesling was married to May Bennett, February 18, 1900. To this 
union six children were born. Louis Ralph, born November 25, 1900; Homer 
Allen, born March 16, 1902; Daisy Gertrude, born April 4, 1903; Ancel Lee, 
born October 23, 1904; Lucy Emma, born, February, 1905; John Otterben, 
born Septmber 23, 1907. 

ANDREW JACKSON KIDD, is a farmer of Buckhannon District, living 
on the waters of Stone Coal. He was born February 4, 1838, in Nelson County, 
Va. His parents, Thomas Kidd and Margaret Johnson, were also natives of 
Va., and emigrated from the old Dominion to Lewis County in 1848, when An- 
drew Jackson was only ten years of age. At the beginning of hostilities be- 
tween the states, Mr. Kidd enlisted as a private in the Upshur Greys, under Cap- 
tain John C. Higginbotham, he was wounded at the battle of Antietam, September 
17, 1862. 

Married Louisa Hirschman, daughter of George Hirschman, December 22, 
1875. 

Children : Floyd, a citizen of California, Cora Maud, wife of Michael Flarety 
and Arthur Simpson, at home. 

FREDERICK ARTHUR KIDDY. Undertaker and Furniture Dealeir. 
Bom November 5, 1876, son of Arthur G. and Phoebe Eliabeth (Leonard) 
Kiddy. Grandson of John and Frances (Tenant) Kiddy, emigrants from near 
Lexington, Rockbridge County, Va., 1847; also son of William and Prudence 
(Benner) Leonard, Irish nativity, emigrants from Greenville, Ohio. 

He learned cabinet making and furniture business with his father and suc- 
ceeded him on his death, February 10, 1904. 

Married Emma Bailey, born September 24, 1874, daughter of Charles A. 
Bailey and Sallie (Johns) Bailey on August 9, 1904. 

John and Frances (Tenant) Kiddys' children. William, James, Julia Ann, 
wife of Dexter Cutright, Betsy, wife of Elias Cutright ; Sarah, wife of William 

Dean; Alexander, Thomas, Mildred, Arthur G., Mary, wife of Burr; 

Charlotte, wife of Henry Knisley and George. 

WILLIAM AND PRUDENCE LEONARD'S CHILDREN: Jenny, wife 
of Michael Campbell; Catherine, wife of Perr\- Lynch and Joe Bailey; Mary, wife 



FAMILY HISTORY. 491 

of James Metcalf; Alice, wife of George Brown; Phoebe Elizabeth, wife of A. 
G. Kiddy ; William, husband of Fanny Kesy. 

L. D. KITTLE, son of Arthur Kittle and grandson of Hezekiah Kittle. 
His mother was the daughter of Joseph Shelton of Augusta County, Va., and his 
wife, whose maiden name was Matilda Brooks. 

The subject of this sketch was born August 20, 1851, in Randolph County, 
on a farm where he was raised. He became attached to the occupation of his father 
and has followed farming ever since. He owns 58 acres of land on Middle Fork 
River, near Queens, where he lives. 

October 5, 1876, he married Louisa Moore, daughter of W. R. Moore and 
Lucinda Kelley of Barbour County. W. R. Moore's father was Samuel. Child- 
ren; S. J., born July 8, 1877; W. R... born June 27, 1879; Annie G., born August 
17, 1881 ; Jessie L., born May 30, 1886; Warner M., born April 12, 1888; Lucinda 
May, born September S. 1893; Charles C, born January 8, 1896; Clemmie A., 
born May 5, 1898. 

Three of the alj \ ;. are married, namely; W. R., who married Mollie Reed; 
Annie G.. wife of James Debarr and S. J., who married Pearle Beer. 

JOSEPH SAMPLE KNABEXSHUE, was born April 5, 1837, in Hardy 
County, Va. He is now a resident of Lewis County, having moved there soon 
after the Civil War. Has been twice married. His first wife was Charlotte 
Queen, daughter of James M. and Sarah (Bennett) Queen. 

Children: Addie, Gideon, Victoria, Martha Dell, Mary, Ella, Columbia Dell, 
His second wife was Alalissa Shirk of Ohio. 
Children : Charles C, Clarence, Fanny, and A. j\I. 

His father John Knabenshue was one of the foremost farmers in Hardy 
County as well as in Lewis County. The son inherited the industtry and energy of 
the father as well as the inclination to pursue farming with a determination to 
succeed. 

JAMES K. P. KOOX, was born in the year 1847. His parents were poor, 
his opportunities for education were few, but he was brave and courageous and 
his patriotism knew no bounds, so when the cloud of war came over the country 
in '61, he was among the first, desirous of taking up arms to perpetuate the 
Union and keep it indissoluable. His small size and tender age were against his 
enlistment, but somehow or other a way was prqvided for his heart's content and 
at the next opportunity he passed the examination and his name was placed 
on the roll of his company, where it remained and daily received the answer 
present until a cannon ball took oflf his arm and he lay down the weapons of war 
to return to the pursuits of peace. 

After the close of the war he became intensely interested in education and in 
order to provide himself the chance for the pursuit and possession of knowledge 
was one of the charter members of the French Creek Institute, a school which 
disseminated more knowledge and culture throughout Upshur and adjoining 
counties than any other school of its size in West Mrginia. 

His school days were not idly spent : they were improved and he achieved 
much, which became helpful to him in his after life. He left school and went into 
the sewing machine business, which he followed for many years with success. 
Upon resigning his position with the sewing machine company he went into the 
lumber business and was active and successful in that. The money which he had 
made and saved by hard labor and out of his pension stipend, he invested from 
time to time in timber land on the waters of Middle Fork River, until at the time 
of his death in 1906, he was the owner of 13 hundred acres of farm and timber 



492 FAMILY HISTORY. 

land, was a friend to the poor and helpless whereever he found them, strong 
supporter of church and school and an earnest advocate of right and justice. He 
was a Republican in politics. 

ASBURY LANCE, born March 31, 1863, is a native of Barbour County 
and son of Isaac and Rebecca Ann Lance. His mother was a daughter of 
Samuel Lance, and his father was a son of Henry Lance and Bettie Lance. 

He was raised on a farm. He married Sarah C. Zinn, daughter of Cor- 
nelius Zinn and Mary Ann Rogers. 

Mr. Lance is a mechanic and came to Buckhannon in 1891, to pursue that 
trade. 1905, he was chosen Chief Police of Buckhannon and was re-elected in 
1906 and again in 1907. He is a Republican in politics. 

WASHINGTON LANCE, a farmer of Warren District, born December 12, 
1855, son of George Lance and Loverna Cooper. He owns a hundred and 
nine acres of valuable grass land. Owing to the accidental death of his father by 
a wagon and team capsizisg near Hall's Mill, he was early obliged to maintain 
the family. 

He married Annie Lewis, daughter of John and Malvina (Ward) Lewis. 
Children : Luther, Cosby Grace, Lillie Blanche, Albinas, Cecil Howard, Walter, 
Sammie Allie, Roscoe Duey and Bernice. 

JOHN LANE, is a farmer of Banks District, his postoffice is Arlington. 
His birth occurred in the year 1846. He was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth 
(Bryan) Lane, natives of Augusta County, Va., who came to Upshur County in 
1850. He owns a farm of over one hundred acres of improved land, which he 
tills and grazes. He has the reputation of raising more potatoes than any 
farmer in his district. He has been lumbering considerably in addition to looking 
after his farm. 

He married Lucy Jane Jack, daughter of Jonathan and Martha (McClain) 
Jack, natives of Highland County, Va., and the granddaughter of Jacob and 
Hester (Siron) Jack, who came to this country from \'irginia in an early day. 
Mr. Lane's wife was born May i, 1850, and their children are: Waitman W., 
married Rosetla Miller; Walter L., married Minnie Crawford; Roxie, wife of 
Harvey .'\llman ; John S., married Gertrude Potts; Osborne G., married Flora 
Sharps ; Perry, single ; Charles, married Daisy Helmick ; Victoria, wife of Clar- 
ence Helmick ; Harrison, Jonnie and Alverta, who died March 4, 1905. 

Republican in politics and a U. B. in religion. 

THEODORE BRASHER LANE, farmer, born October 18, 1851, near 
Hinkleville, son of Samuel S. and Elizabeth (Bryan) Lane. His father was a 
native of Pennsylvania. Mother a native of Rockingham County, Va. He mar- 
ried Mary Ellen Williams, daughter of Solomon and Rachel (Hycr) Williams. 

Children : Allie Blanche, Rhoda Ellen, Icy, William Morgan, Erskine, 
Stephen, S'dney, Flavia Villa. 

JARED E. LANDES son of Samuel Landes and Margaret (Shaver) 
Landes, born in Highland County, Va., March 5, 1858. 

Came with his father to Upshur County in i860, and settled on Bush 
Run of French Creek. His father's father was John Landes, an imigrant from 
German. His mother was a daughter of John Shaver and Rachel (Simernon) 
Shaver, both of German descent. 

The subject of this sketch lived with his parents until he was twenty-one 
years of age. In 1882, he married Sarah C. .^bbott, the daughter of John and 
Ruth (Brady) Abbott. Ruth Brady was the daughter of John and Susanna 
(Ware) Brady, of Randolph County. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 493 

Children:- Madge V., Jesse M., Annie B., Jay S., Florence D. Harold R., 
Kent. 

Mr. Landes is a farmer of Meade District and independent in politics. 

DEXTER LANHAM, son of Jasper and Sarah Lanham of Union District. 
Is a farmer and wagoner, lives on Gnatty Creek. His wife's maiden name was 
a daughter of Newton White. 

ENOS B. LANHAM, is a native of Upshur County and the son of Jeremiah 
and Elizabeth (Crites) Lanham. The date of his birth is fixed October "18, 1852, 
and his birth place was on the waters of Middle Fork River, near the postoffice of 
Queens. 

When twenty-one years of age he left the parental roof to paddle his own 
canoe. Taught school for seven >ears in the County and until he lost an arm by 
an unavoidable accident. In 1884, he began his career as office seeker and holder 
in Upshur County. Was defeated in that year by one vote, in 1888 and 1892 
was elected assessor of First District and in 1900 and 1904 was elected to the 
same position, giving him sixteen years of assessorship of one district in Upshur 
County. 

On February 14, 1880, he married Mary Lee Huffman, daughter of Samson 
and Polly (Dean) Huffman. 

Children: Otha B., Lilly B., Lucinda J., Nathan Goff, Noma M., Elsa E. and 
Gertrude E. 

GRANVILLE LANHAM. Commissioner of the County Court for the 
past twelve years, has been a farmer all his life, owns 130 acres of land on the 
waters of the Buckhannon River, in Union District. Has held many offices of 
trust, given him by the people among which are : Member of the Board of Educa- 
tion of Union District, Justice of the Peace of the same Magisterial District for 
24 years and County Commissioner and President of the Court. 

He was a soldier in the Civil War, being a private in Company M, 3d West 
Virginia Cavalry for about two years under Captains J. L. Hurst and J. W. 
Heavner. Was in the battles at Lynchburg and Shenandoah. 

He was born August 18, 1847, unto George B. and Nancy (Orton) Lanham, 
the former a native of Clark County, Va., the latter a native of Loudon County, 
Va. His grandparents were Jeremiah and Barbara (Bence) Lanham, both natives 
of Virginia. 

He married April 5, 1866, Susan V. Osborne, daughter of Acquilla and Mar- 
garet (McCauley) Osborne, and granddaughter of Joseph Osborne. Children: 
Cyrus Columbus, a minister in the the Methodist Episcopal Church, now stationed 
at Spencer, W. Va., is a graduate from the West Virginia Conference Seminary; 
Mandeville Laco, married Ticy Spitzer of Rockingham County, Va., and lives 
there; Nancy Margaret, wife of J. W. Morral, Ettie M., wife of Adam Kesling; 
Lunda L., wife of Allen Tenney ; she is now dead; Wilson Hall, lumberman; 
Goff, Daisy D., who is now attending school in Virginia. 

GEORGE BAXTER LANHAM, born April i, 1880, son of Perry Lanham 
and Mary Jane Harris, the daughter of Thompson Harris, who emigrated from 
Virginia. His grandfather was George B. Lanham, a school teacher, and his 
grandmother was Miss Nancy Ertin, also a native of Virginia. He was raised 
on a farm near Swamp Run, and received his education in the rural schools and 
summer normals in Upshur and Barbour Counties. His parents being poor, and 
having ten children, the subject of this sketch realized early that he must be 
the architect of his own character. He began teaching school in 1898, which 
profession he has followed since. He attended the Morse School of Telegraphy 



494 FAMILY HISTORY. 

and Commercial College of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1904. 
At Oakland, Maryland, October 19, 1904, he was united in the holy bonds of 
wedlock to Iva Maud Radabaugh, daughter of Adam Radabaugh and Ellen 
Wagoner, granddaughter of George Radabaugh, Child, Alston Gordon, born 
1905. Owner of 25^2 acres of land in Union District, Upshur County, and some 
real estate in city of Elkins, Randolph County. 

OTHA B. LAXHAM, is the eldest son of Enos B. Lanham and Mary Lee 
Huffman, and the grandson of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Crites) Lanham. He is 
a young man of industry and energy, has spent practically all his life at the lum- 
bering business and knows it from the woods to the market, from the sawing of 
the timber to the planing of the plank. 

GEORGE ROBERT LATHAM, born March 9, 1832, in Prince WilHam 
County, Va. The son of John Latham and Juliet A. Newman, he is the third of 
ten children, eight of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. At the breaking 
out of the Civil War, four of the five brothers entered the Union army. 

His father was a farmer and he was reared on the farm. In 1849, his fathe/ 
moved with his family to Taylor County, in Western Mrginia. The son came 
with the father and being very studious and having a good memory, he availed 
himself and made most out of the limited means of acquiring an education then 
extant. In 1850 he took down with pleurisy and was totally disabled for farm 
work for three years. In 1852, he began teaching in Taylor and Barbour 
Counties and taught until the winter of 1859. December 24, 1857, he married 
Miss Caroline A. Thayer, a daughter of Franklin and Mary Thayer, then of 
Monongalia County, then Virginia. While teaching he had been studying law 
and in 1859, passed the examinations, was admitted to the Bar, and opened the 
first law office in Grafton. In i860, he published the Western Virginian in the 
interest of the Presidential ticket. Bell and Everett. At the outbreak of the 
war he hoisted a United States flag over his law office and turned it into a re- 
cruiting station and by May the 20th, he had a full company enrolled, which after- 
wards became Company B., 2d Virginia Infantry, and was the first Union com- 
pany recruited in the interior of the State. This company, under Mr. Latham, 
remained in Grafton to vote on the ordinance of secession. ]\Iay 23d, after which 
he took his company, marched around the Confederates at Feterman and struck 
the 3 a, m train the next morning for Wheeling, This coinpany was ordered back 
to Grafton and from there sent to Philippi and took part in the three months' 
campaign to Carricks Ford, where the Confederate, General Garnett, was killed. 
In the fall of 1864, Col. Latham was elected a member of the Thirty-ninth Con- 
gress for the Second District of West Virginia, from March 4, 1865 to March 4, 
1867. He was mustered out of the military service March loth. In Con- 
1867. He was mustered out of the military service March 10. 1865. and 
was brevetted a brigadier general of volunteers. In Congress he ac- 
quitted himself eminently, as shown by his speeches delivered in 
the House on January 8, and May 28, 1866, He declined to be a can- 
didate for renomination on account of bad health, but at the request of the 
Secreatry of State, agreed to accept an appointment as United States Consul at 
Melbourne, .'\ustralia. This service continued three years from 1867 to 1870, 
and while in the United States service, he collected for his country, two claims, 
aggregating a hundred and twenty thousand dollars. In 1875, he was elected 
Superintendent of Public Schools of Upshur County, and in 1880, was appointed 
by President Hayes as Supervisor of the Census for the First District of West 
Virginia. He was wounded in the left foot at Lee's Spring, on the Rappahannock 



FAMILY HISTORY. 495 

River in August, 1862. This wound gives him much trouble and pain at times 
now. Col. Latham has a wife and eight children living, four sons and four 
daughters, and he is now seventy-five years of age, and he and his wife are in the 
fiftieth year of their married life. 

Robert Latham came from England about the year 1700. He had a son 
Robert, who also had a son Robert, born 1769, died 1833. He had a son John, 
the father of Col. George R. Latham. 

Richard Thayer came from England before 1640, settling in New England. 
He had a son Richard, who had a son Nathaniel, who had a son Zachariah, who 
had a son Abel, who had a son Stephen, who had a son Franklin, who was the 
father of Mrs. Col. George R. Latham. 

The Colonel and his wife have eight children and thirteen grandchildren 
living, making seven generations of the Latham family and ten generations of the 
Thayer family, counting the two families, children and grandchildren of the 
Latham, grafted on the Thayer side. 

WILLIS LAWLIS, son of Francis Lawlis of Virginia, born September 11, 
1856, settling in Upshur 1896, is a farmer by occupation and Republican in politics. 
Married Elizabeth Alestock and to them is given one child, Cora Rebecca, wife of 
Elsey Beverly. 

WILLIAM HENRY LAWMAN, son of Barnard and Parmelia (Campbell) 
Lawman. Born April 29, 1848, in Lewis County, Va. Is a farmer, following the 
trade of his paternal ancestors. 

Married Olive Malissa Curtis, daughter of Henry L. and Catherine (Perry) 
Curtis, November 5, 1868. His wife is two years older than her husband, being 
born January 11, 1846. 

Children: Emma Jane, wife of Isaac Allman ; Ira F., married Dulcie Mar- 
pie; Ida A., wife of Andrew Rinehart ; Oke B.. married Rosa Myers; Perry S., 
married Ella Myers ; Lee H. married Rosa Davis ; Cyrus W., married Mary 
Davis; Daisy M., wife of Harley Rogers; Ella C, at home on Hackers Creek. 
W. Va. 

A. W. C. LEMONS, son of James Lemons and Catherine Jackson of Bath 
County, Va. He was a farmer of Buckhannon District, living on Glady Fork of 
Stone Coal. His first wife was Margaret E. Hosaflook, the daughter of Abram 
Hosaflook, and their children were seven ; Minor C, Warwick, Elsie, Pharis, Amy, 
Ephriam, and Dennis. His second wife was Sarah Allman, the daughter of 
Michael Allman and Alarcenia Kelley, and their children were. William S., Roscoe 
C, Mary, Genevieve, Donald C. Gertrude. Clarence H. and Emerson B. 

During his life the subject of this sketch was entrusted with many responsi- 
bilities and duties of local government, was assessor of persona] property, was 
county commissioner and president of the county court. 

He is now dead. 

ROSCOE C. LEMONS, is a citizen of Buckhannon Town, he was fortunate 
in being raised on a farm, on the waters of Brushy Fork, where he was born, 
May 4, 1876, the son of A. W. C. Lemons and his wife, whose maiden name was 
Sarah Allman. Before the death of his father, his parents moved to Buckhannon 
Town, where the subject of this sketch received the finishing touches of his 
education and set about to take care of himself in life's struggle. 

In September 2, 1897, he married Minnie Snyder, the daughter of John C. 
Snyder of Warren District. They have no children. 

He is now an emplove of the Upsur Window Glass Co. 

EBENEZER LEONARD, Sr., who emigrated from Bridge Water, Mass., in 



496 FAMILY HISTORY. 

1816, to the waters of the Middle Fork River about a mile south from the post- 
office at Queens, married Elizabeth Burr, daughter of John Burr, in 181 1. Mr. 
Leonard and wife came here with the Tenneys and the Burrs. The genealogy 
of the Burr family from the best evidence at hand is at follows: 

Reverend Jonathan Burr, was born in the County Suffolk, parish of Redgrave 
in 1604, and was the son of one Joseph Burr. After his immigration to this 
country he entered upon the duties of the ministry and for a time shared the 
church with the Reverend Cotton Mather. 

Jonathan Burr emigrated in 1639, and the only information of his immediate 
family is that about his three sons, Jonathan, John and Simon. John Burr born 
in 1660, and had a son, John, who was born in 1695. The ancestor of the Vir- 
ginia family. 

Tohn Burr the third moved to Bridgewater, ]\Iass., and there married Silence 
Howard. To this union was born a son in 1731, whose name was Jonathan. 
He married Martha Cudworth, daughter of Colonel Cudworth of Siuate, Mass. 
The Cudworth family having recently emigrated from London. 

To Jonathan Burr and Martha Cudworth was given a son, in 1769, whose 
name was John. He married Mary Copeland of Bridgewater, Mass., and they 
moved to Virginia in 1816. 

Their children were: Julia, wife of Anthony See; Ebenezer, who married 
Wealthy Gould ; Soloman Franklin, who married Lucinda Earl ; Mary, wife of 
Henry Simpson ; Mercy, wife of Hanson Boggess, and Levi, who married Mary 
Ellen Cooper of Buckhannon in 1850, and whose second wife was Elizabeth 
Copeland of Harrison County, daughter of David and Olive Copeland. Alary 
Ellen Cooper, was a daughter of Mary Cooper of Virginia. 

The surviving children of Levi Leonard by his two wives are Miss Florence, 
by the first, and Miss Olive Copeland Leonard by the second, both of whom live 
in the town of Buckhannon. 

EBENEZER LEONARD, the subject of this sketch was born in Mass- 
achusetts in the year 1813, and when quite a small boy came with his parents to 
what is now Upshur County, West Virginia, settling first in the Middle Fork 
River, near Queens ; afterwards on French Creek. He was married to Wealthy 
Gould (who still survives him), in 1836. There were born to them eight chil- 
dren, only three of them living to grow to womanhood ; Lucinda, married to 
James Sexton, Amy, married to A. B. Clark, and Melessa, marrier to George 
C. Carper, the last named the only one now living. 

Mr. Leonard by his industry and frugality became before his death one 
of the weatlhy men of the county, and was widely known for his liberality in 
supporting the church and other worthy objects. He was for years a ruling 
elder in the Presbyterian church at French Creek and at Buckhannon. His 
-death occurred March 8, 1892, age 79 years. 

Our picture represents his widow, Mrs. Wealthy Leonard, who is still liv- 
ing at the age of 88 years, and her great grandson, Ralph Clark Hansen, son 
of W. S. and Lena Clark Hansen, and grand son of A. B. and Amy Leonard 
Clark. 

There are now living repscsenting the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer 
Leonard one daughter, five grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and four 
great great grandchildren. These are good reprpesentatives of that good old 
New England Puritanical stock that has wielded quite an influence in the loy- 
alty, education and political in'erests of Upshur Countv. 

CECIL CLYDE LEONARD, is a partner of C. H. Bryant, who are retail 



FAMILY HISTORY. 497 

butchers in the town of Buckhannon. He is the son of S. S. Leonard and a grand- 
son of Ebenezer Leonard, Sr., who emigrated from Massachusetts in 1810. 

His grandmother was Betsy Burr, born June 10, 1821, the daughter of Noah 
Burr, who also emigrated from New England in 1810. His father's first wife 
was Elizabeth F. Wolfenbarger, and their children were: Charles L., James and 
C. F. His father's second wife was Matilda J. Rohrbough, a daughter of John 
M. Rohrbough and Matilda Botts, and their children were: Carrie L., Bert R., 
Nonie V., Frank O., Kitty AL, Daisy V., Ebenezer S., and the subject of ihis 
sketch. 

SIMON MEYER LEVINSTEIN, born May 15, 1873, in Western part of 
Russia, at Taurogen, near the German border. Son of Lewis Levenstein and 
Bertha Kline. He was educated in Russia till fifteen years of age, when he 
immigrated to America, landing at Baltimore in the fall of 1889. He at once 
came to West Virginia, and with a peddler's pack on his back, travelled through 
Upshur County on the Western side of the river for five years, selling his goods 
and wares. In 1895 he opened a store at Hyattsville, Md., and engaged in 
business there until 1898, when he came to Buckhannon and opened up a general 
store of gent's furnishings. He now carries a stock valued at thirty thousand 
dollars. 

He married Ida Rappeport, of Baltimore, February 22, 1903, and to this 
union has been given one child, Morton M. Levinstein, born November 2, 1905. 

CYRUS BATTELL LEWIS, born March 17, i860, son of Perry C. Lewis, 
Sr., the grandson of Andrew Lewis and the great grandson of Joseph Lewis, 
who emigrated from the South Branch before 1800. He is also the son of Martha 
Ann Johnson, who was the daughter of John N. Johnson of Albermarle County, 
Va., she was (wenty years of age when she married Mr. Lewis. He was born 
on Sand Run and raised there until he was thirteen years old, when his parents' 
moved to Buckhannon, and soon he began to work for himself as stone mason, 
as bricklayer and then as general mechanic. December 10, 1881, he commenced 
barbering in Buckhannon and has been proprietor of a barber shop ever since. 

His wife's maiden name was Annie Nocton, daughter of Patrick Nocton of 
Randolph County, her mother was a Miss Hennegan, marriage occurred October 
20, 1882, and their children are: Charles Garfield, born October 19, 1883; Cyrus 
Patrick, born March 2, 1885 ; Maud, born November 17, 1886; Mamie, born Octo- 
ber 9, 1888; Delia, born May 4, 1891, dead; William Fries, born May 9, 1892; 
Ethel, born March 16, 1894; Roy and Troy, twins, born October 30, 1890; Mc- 
Kinley Hobart Thomas, born October 27, 1896; Reta, born February 18, 1900. 

LIEUTENANT HENRY H. LEWIS,' born on Sand Run, Upshur County, 
May 5, 1832, sen of Andrew and Mary Elizabeth (Forinash) Lewis. His mother 
was the daughter of John Forinash of German descent His father was a son of 
Joseph and Mary (Kesling) Lewis of Rockingham County, Va., and grandson of 
General Andrew Lewis of English and French descent. It will be remembered 
that General Andrew Lewis was Commander of the Virginia forces, at the battle 
of Point Pleasant with the French and Indians under Cornstalk; in this battle 
Colonel Charles Lewis, nephew of the Commander, was killed and his name is 
immortalized in the naming of Lewis County. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and educated in a subscrip- 
tion school. In 1861, he enlisted at Newlon in Company B, loth West Virginia 
Infantry, under Captain Morgan. From private soldier he was promoted to 
orderly seargent and in October, 1861, was made Second Lieutenant in which 
capacity he served till August, 1862, when he was commissioned a First Lieu- 



498 FAMILY HISTORY. 

tenant, in which office he served till his mustering out at Deep Bottom, Va., De- 
cember 20, 1864. Holds a captain's commission, but never mustered in as such. 

In 1852. he married Martha Ann Harris, a daughter of David H. Harris of 
Virginia and their eight living children are: John A., married Martha Crites; 
Andrew D., married Caroline Morgan; George W.. the noted Evangelist, married 
Mary Waugh ; H. H. Jr., married Mary A. Harlan ; Granville S., married Mary 
Rice; Rose E., widow of Rev. John Marteney ; Mary E., wife of C. B. Outright; 
Minnie S., wife of J. B. Harris, native of Virginia. His first wife died August 
12, 1903. 

He married for his second wife, Lillian M., the daughter of E. A. Hamner, 
a soldier in Company B., and school teacher in Upshur County for the last thirty 
years. To this union has been born one child; Martha, born October 27, 1906. 

The subject of this sketch settled in Randolph County, in i860. He has been 
a farmer and merchant in that county ever since. 

He now owns 1,496 acres of land, after giving to each of his sons 100 acres of 
land ; has been Justice of the Peace and is proud of the fact that he had six 
brothers in the Union Army. 

HENRY H. LEWIS, JR., born November 23, 1863, son of H. H. Lewis, Sr. 
His birthplace was Hinkleville and his mother's maiden name was Mary F. Harris. 
He was raised on a farm. Educated in the public schools and at the Fairmont 
State Normal. At the age of twenty-one, he launched into business for himselt 
and the following year purchased a store which he conducted for many years. 
About ten years ago he sold his store and went into the lumber business which he 
has followed since. He owns considerable property at Newlon, his home, and a 
large tract of timber land in Virginia. 

He married Mary A. Harlan, daughter of E. K. Harlan, November, 1903. 
Children ; Raymond Jule and George Duard. 

HENRY QUINCY LEWIS, born on French Creek, November 14. 1872, son 
of Jacob Lewis and Amelia Hinkle. Raised on the farm and educated in the 
public schools, after graduation therefrom he began teaching and taught several 
terms of rural school. He then entered the West Virginia Conference Seminary, 
graduating therefrom 1903, and returned home to look after his father's farm. 
He pursued farming until the fall of 1906, at which time he entered into the 
employ of the U. S. Express Co., located at Fairmont. 

He has always taken great interest in local government and general politics. 
He is now Congressional Committeeman of Upshur County of the Republican 
Party of which he is a member. 

JACOB LEWIS, born May 6, 1842, was a soldier in the loth West Virginia, 
Corporal of Company B. Was a farmer all his life. September 16, 1865, he mar- 
ried Florence Amelia Hinkle and to this union have been born eight sons and 
four daughters; Ulysses Sydney Grant; Sanie Virginia; Annas Roy; Thomas 
Jefferson ; Henry Quincy ; Franklin ; Myrtle ; Ivy Lucile ; Cora Evelyn ; Urban 
Herbert ; Bernard Paul ; Hillery Roland. 

Jacob Lewis was a son of Andrew and Polly Forinash Lewis. His grand- 
mother on his mother's side was Rebecca Barrett, the daughter of Benjamin 
Barrett an cinigrant from Massachusetts, who descended directly from the Pil- 
grim Fathers. She married Washington Hinkle, son of Valentine Hinkle, and 
her mother's maiden name was Kesling. 
Jacob Lewis died June 2, 1904. 
JOHN LEWIS, son of Andrew and Mary E. (Forinash) Lewis, bom 



FAMILY HISTORY. 499 

December 26, 1835. Raised on a farm. Was soldier of Company B, and draws 
a pension. 

Married Louvernia, daughter of Job and Martha (Smith) Ward June i, 
1863, on Hacker's Creek. 

Children : Martha Ann, born November 22, 1865, wife of Washington Lance ; 
Sarah Edda, born June i, 1868, wife of Washington Armstrong; Lida W., born 
June 3, 1872 ; Lloyd E-, born July 27, 1874, wife, Alice Propps ; Addie Bell, born 
December 12, 1876, wife of Thomas F. Post and John Richardson; Emma Jane, 
born October 17, 1878; Ivy Pearl, born December 18, 1883; David J., born Jun6 
16, 1887. 

PHILLIP SHERIDAN LEWIS, born December 12, 1865, the son of 
Joseph A. Lewis of Warren District, Upshur County and the grandson of Andrew 
Lewis. 

Married Martha Alice Wilson, the widow of Walker Floyd Wilson, who was 
the son of J. W. Wilson, March 19, 1888. Mrs. Lewis was born December 21, 
1865, her maiden name was Rexroad, and by her first husband had one child, 
Willis Goff. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis's children are: Philip Howard, Frederick Harley, Eula, 
Charles, Kemp, Jay and Bertha. 

The subject of this sketch is a farmer, lumberman and blacksmith in all of 
which occupations he succeeds. He owns one hundred and fifty-six acres of land 
near Rock Cave, known as the Morgan-Smith farm and is growing thereon a fine 
orchard. 

RUFUS LEWIS, son of Allen and Matilda (Davis) Lewis, born March i, 
1883, in Barbour County. Raised on a farm, learned farming and is still farm- 
ing. Married Margaret Hess, daughter of Abraham Hess. 
Children : Alfred and Almeda. 

Mr. Lewis was a Confederate soldier from Pocahontas County, Va. Enlist- 
ing in Company K, 17th \^irginia Cavalry under Camtain Abraham Pifer. 

He served through the war and came out blemishless. His second wife was 
Mary Rinehart, daughter of Ashford Rinehart. 

Children. Edwin, Lizzie, Amanda, Alice L., and EUa. 

ALVIN M. LIGGETT. Son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Burgdell) Liggett, 
born November 22, 1832, near Buckhannon, then Lewis County, Va. The son 
of a farmer. Farming has been his occupation except during the time he served 
as an office holder. He was twice elected county assessor on the Democratic ticket 
an office holder. He was twice elected county assessor on the Democratic ticket 
and was appointed to reassess the land in 1883, and so well did he perform this task 
that only one objection was lodged before the Republican County Court of Upshur 
County. 

His ancestors were among the first emigrants from Eastern Virginia to the 
County of Upshur, having come here in the year 1808. His brothers and sisters 
are nine in number, with the names as follows : Levi, Nathan, Aaron, Alvin M., 
Jane Barbara, Susan, Rebecca and Elizabeth and Mary. 

He was married twice. The first wife. Margaret F. Young, daughter of 
William and Hattie (Griffith) Young, of Harrison County. His second wife 
was Miss Fannie M. Eib. Mr. Li,ggett was actively connected with the Peoples' 
Bank of West Virginia, a director of the most conservative type. He died July 
2. 1907. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON LIGGETT, Assistant Postmaster at Buckhannon. 
Was born December 29, 1862. Son of Aaron and Sarah Ann Elizabeth (Ham- 



500 FAMILY HISTORY. 

ner) Liggett. Is the oldest son of his fathers family. Was educated in the 
Glencille State Normal School. Taught in the public schools of Upshur and Gil- 
mer Counties for 20 years during the winters, and farmed during the summers. 

Upon the formation of the Knigh: Errant Company for the purpose of pub- 
lishing and printing a weekly newspaper in Upshur County, he was chosen presi- 
dent and remained at the head of this company until 1907, when he resigned in 
order that he might give all of his time to his postoffice duties. 

He owns a farm on Glady Fork and several houses and lots in and around 
Buckhannon. 

He married Emma Florence, daughter of Gideon Hall and Lydia Margaret 
(Currs') Wilson. Their children are: Elenora, Vivian, Luanna. Lilian, Wilsie. 

LLOYD BUXYAX LIMBERS, born .\pril 8. 1873, son of Andrew Limbers, 
a soldier in the Civil War and Martha P. Boyles. His grandfather, John Limbers, 
emigrated from France to Pennsylvania in 1835, and from Pennsylvania came to 
Barbour County. His mother was a daughter of .\ndrew Boyles and Martha V. 
Wotring. they had five children. 

He married Aura M. Loudin, daughter of John L. Loudin and Anna Gross, 
daughter of Samuel Gross, native of Bath Count}-, Ya. 

John L. Loudin, son of David, who was the son of John Loudin and a Miss 
Carpenter, was a soldier in the loth West Virginia Infantry. 

Children: Gordie, born April 20. 1899; Zelma, born November 15, 1906. 

He is a farmer and owns 58 acres of land. 

DA\'ID LINGER, bom December 26, 1873, the son of Phillip Linger and 
Louvinia Cutright. His mother was the daughter of William Cutright, he mar- 
ried Dessie Hamilton, the daughter of Samuel Hamiluon. Child, Cecil. 

EDWIN FILMORE LINGER, a farmer, was bom August 13, 1872.- His 
parents were William and Josephine Linger, his grand parents were Joseph Lin- 
ger and Mercia Hinsman. His father was a Confederate soldier. 

He married Iza E. Linger, daughter of Bruce Linger, July 31, 1903, and to 
this unicn has been born one child, Geraldine Linger. Julv i, 1906. 

WAITMAN T. WILLEY LINGER, bom March'2. 1867, son of Oliver and 
Mar>- CSelf) Linger and grandson of Phillip and Sarah TCutright) Linger. 

The subject of this ske'ch is the second son of his father's family. His first 
wife was Miss Marj- E. Slaughter, a daughter of Amos Slaughter. 

Their children were : Nellie Myrtle ; Amos Glenn and Anthony. 

His second wife was Miss Lula iMcGan.- Loudin, daughter of James and 
Mariah (Tillman) Loudin and granddaughter of Walter Loudin and their 
children were: Mary Naoma and Freda. 

Mr. Linger is the manager and owner of a Handle Factor>- at Sago, the only 
one in the Counts His politics are Independent and Prohibitionist. 

ANDREW blCKISON LONG, bom June 4. 1856. son of James Long. 
His wife was the daughter of Joseph Thomas an emigrant from Wales, where 
she was bom, September 24, 1857. Her name was Elizabeth and she married 
iMr. Long March 15. 1876, and their children are: Mertie Ethel, R. Jane, Mary 
Ellen. Adith Hannah. James Ulysses Harrison. Beatrice Bessie. iMartha Agnes, 
Maggie Dortha. Joie .\ndrew, John William and Norris Roy. 

Mr. Long is a Methodist, a Prohibitionist, a Free Mason and a loyal member 
of the Blue Button .\rmv. He is a blacksmith at Gaines. 

GEORGE A. LONG, born November 28. 1848. Married Sarah Paugh, 
December 26, 1872. His wife was born September 12, 1847, and their children 
are: Hulda A., bom July 9, 1875; Har%-ey H.. married Samantha Hyre; Celia 



FAMILY HISTORY. 501 

M., single ; Rosetta F., wife of T. H. Eckard and Ida R., who died November 22. 
1891, at the age of eight years. 

The subject of this sketch is a son of James Long and Mrs. Long is the 
daughter of Levi and Phebe (Miller) Paugh and the granddaughter of William 
Paugh, who came here from Mar>-land. 

Mr. Long owns a farm of 125 acres, most of which he cleared and has in 
good grass. On this farm is a rock cave, which was used for many years by Mr. 
Long as a stable for his horses. The cave not being of sufficient height for Mr. 
Long he dug it deeper and this digging unearthed two skeletons and some 
crocker}- supposed to be that of the Indians. 

This cave sable was abandoned by Mr. Long because halters would not stay 
on his horses. He says that ever\- morning he found his halters off the horses 
and hanging on the rude walls of the stable. 

Mr. Long is a member of the Bethlehem M. E. Church. 

JOHN CLARKSON LONG was bom June 20, 1869. Was married Sep- 
tember 2, 1894, to Stella Williamson, who was born Februar>- 14, 1874. a daughter 
of Lemuel Williamson and Adaline fSwick) Williamson. Lemuel Williamson 
was a son of John Williamson and Rebecca (Rector) Williamson of Taylor 
Count}-. Lemuel came to this coxmtj- about the year 1876, and settled near Holly 
Grove. 

The subject of this sketch is a son of Lafayette Long and Ann E. (Moore) 
Long. Lafayette Long was a son of James Long of Canaan, who settled in that 
country- in an early day. 

John Clarkson Long has had three brothers and two sisters : Thomas L. was 
killed in a coal bank April 6. 1900; James W.. Ruben L., Alice and MjTtle. 

The subject of this sketch is a farmer and owns ninety acres of land and 
makes a specialty.- of growing fruits. His farm is that which is known as the 
Thomas Gawthorp farm, near HoUy Grove. He is a member of the Baptist 
Church. 

JOHN MARSHALL LOUDIN, was bom in 1828. His parents Thomas 
and Hanna (Conley) Loudin settled on Turkey Run in 1812, coming directly 
from Harrison Count}-, where John Loudin, the father of Thomas and the grand- 
father of Marshal settled in 1795, coming direct from Pennsylvania. 

His brothers and sisters numbered seven and were named : William, Mar- 
garet, iMariah. Julia, Catherine, Mar\- and Elizabeth. 

He married Amanda Jane Burner. May 23, 1854 

Children: Martha Ellen, wife of John M. Hodges; Jacob B., husband of 
Bell Cobum : Lee Orr. husband of Lulu Pritt : George M. 

Mr. Loudin has been a member of the Methodist Church for sixtj'-one years, 
and has been a citizen of L'pshur Count}' up till 1894, when he moved to Randolph 
Counts-, where he now lives. 

JASPER NEWTON LOLT)IN, bom July 8. 1855, and married Emily 
Susan Lowther, the daughter of Harrison Lowther. who was a son of Jesse 
Lowther of Harrison Count}-. His wife was bom Januan.- 24, i860, and their 
children are: Roy C. Loudin. postmaster at the West Virginia Penitentiar}' at 
Moundsville : Harrison Davis, Leonidas Blaine, street car conductor in Cincinnati ; 
Margaret Bulah and \'irgie A. 

The subject of this sketch is a son of John D. Loudin and Mary Pickens, 
and the grandson of William Loudin. who settled on Cherrx- Fork in an early day. 
Mar}- Pickens was the daughter of James Pickens of Lewis County. 

Mr. Loudin is a member of the M. E. Church and for over twent}'-five years 



502 FAMILY HISTORY. 

has taken an active part in all church work. He is a Prohibitionist in politics. 
Farming is his occupation and his farm lies on the head waters of the West Fork 
River and is a part of the John Loudin Farm. 

NICHOLAS CARPENTER LOUDIN. Son of John and Elizabeth (Car- 
penter) Loudin. Born March i, 1827, in Harrison County, Va. Was raised on 
a farm, had few opportunities of education, but improved the few so well that he 
soon became teacher of the District Common School. Came to Buckhannon in 
1850 and taught school in the surrounding country for several years, took up the 
trade of saddler, served an apprenticeship at Parkersburg and returned to Buck- 
hannon and opened up a shop for himself. 

His ancestors were Virginia people, being the first settlers of Loudin County 
of that State. Mr. Loudin was a member of the M. E. Church from early manhood, 
practiced and enjoyed vocal music, served as a member of the church choir for 
twenty-five years before his death. 

Married Mary Jane Reger, daughter of John J. Reger, April 9, 1857. 

DIANA (REGER) LOUDIN, the wife of S. L. Loudin and the daughter of 
John J. Reger and Jemima Kessler, married September 19, 1872. Three children: 
Annie Pearl, now dead; Erma Dell, dead; Edna Lewis, graduate of the West 
Virginia Conference Seminary of the class of 1904. 

She is the owner of a residence on Locust street and other real estate in the 
town of Buckhannon. 

Her father, J. J. Reger, the son of Phillip Reger, who married Elizabeth 
Jackson, daughter of John Jackson, Sr., and Elizabeth Cummins of England, 
He is the son of John Loudin and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Loudin of Harrison. 

Her husband is a harness maker, which trade he has followed all his life, 
and is the son of John Loudin and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Loudin of Harrison 
County. 

REBECCA LOWTHER, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Nestor) Stockwell 
of Taylor County. Her father was a General in the Confederate Army. 

Husbands : Messrs. Tanner, Hosier, Conrad and Lowther. 

Children : Nellie G., Emmie M., and Frank Tanner, Silas Bosier, Mary E., 
and John Conrad. 

WILLIAM RICHARD LOWE, farmer, born August 28, 1837, in Nelson 
County, Va. Immigrated to Upshur in the year 1851, and at the outbreak of the 
war enlisted in the Upshur Battery, was captured and taken to Libby Prison. 

A pensioner. 

His parents were Ruben Lowe and Malinda (Lee) Lowe, daughter of 
Richard Lee, of Virginia, and claims to be a niece of Robert E. Lee. 

Married Marguette Mowry of Virginia. 

Children: Pleasant P., married Emma Dean; Christian Jane, wife of I. N. 
Coyner ; Mary Louise, wife of John B. Hineman ; John M., married Birdie Hess ; 
Rebecca Ann, married Ulysses G. Reed ; Ida C, wife of I. Bert Westfall ; Estie 
Birdie, wife of William Hineman ; Noma Lee, wife of Granville Dean. 

WILLIAM BROWN MALCOLM is a farmer and blacksmith, near the 
postoffice of \'egan in Union District. He was born July 30, 1858, in Highland 
County, Va. His father, William B. Malcolm, Sr., emigrated to Upshur County 
in 1861, when the son was only three years of age. He was educated in the com- 
mon schools of the County and married Loretta Ann Lewis, a daughter of Mar 
cellus Lewis. 

Children : Rosetta Jane, William A. M., Ivy Pearl, George W., John Daniel, 
Herbert Wilson, Gaspard W. and Addie J. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 503 

ADDISON E. MARPLE of Warren District, Upshur County, W. Va., son 
of John W. and Ruth (Reger) Marple. Was born April 17, 1836, near where he 
now Hves. 

Ruth (Reger) Marple was a daughter of Isaac and Magdaline (Brake) 
Reger. John W. Marple was a son of John and Barbary (Weaver) Marple. 

He was married September, 1859 to Mary Etta Casto, a daughter of Joel 
and Jemima (Post) Casto. Joel Casto was a son of David Casto, whose wife was 
a Miss Westfall. 

Children : Ida P., married Rev. U. W. Morrison, and they have five children: 
Amy C, married Rev. F. W. Queen, and have three children: Imboden L,ee, mar- 
ried Efifie Reger, they have two children : Esta L., married M. D. Dawson, one 
child ; Omar U., married Mamie McDermott, four children ; Emma B., married F. 
Rinehart, one child ; Daisy, who first married James Frances, one child, her sec- 
ond husband was David Rodgers. they have two children ; Alva T., married C. 
Lawman, they have one child ; Dulcie, married Ira Lawman, they have one child ; 
Dessie, married N. Schomerus, they have two children ; Claudius S., married 
Emma Foster, who have three children; Arthur C. married Bessie Post, they 
have two children; Goldie, single; Creighton B., single; Luna Ruth, married 
Everett Queen, she died shortly after her marriage, and Draper, who died in in- 
fancy. 

After the death of his first wife Mr. Marple married Martha, a sister of his 
first wife. 

In the war between the States Mr. Marple enlisted with the Southern States 
and served in Captain Asberry Lewis's Company of the 20th Virginia Volunteer 
Cavalry, in Jackson's Brigade, Lomax's Division, Fitzhugh Lee's Corps. 

Mr. Marple is a farmer, a member of the M. E. Church and a Democrat in 
politics. 

GRANVILLE DEXTER MARPLE, was born June 28, 1833, in Harrison 
County. His parents were Moses Marple and Elizabeth Bennett. He had two 
sisters, Mary and Martha. His father settled on the waters of Peck's Run, on 
leaving Harrison County. He is a farmer of Buckhannon District, now owning 
two hundred and thirty acres of valuable coal and grass land near Lorentz. He 
has been a District and County officer many years since the formation of the 
County in 1861. His first office was that of Constable from 1854 to 1856. He 
was County Supervisor from 1866 to 1868. He served one term as land assessor 
of Upshur County and was assessor of personal property for eight years ; he was 
Justice of the Peace for one year and was elected Sheriff of Upshur County in 
1880. 

His father was the son of John Marple and Barbara Weaver of Pennsylvania. 
His grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812, and emigrated from Penn- 
sylvania to Virginia in 1815, when his father was eighteen years of age. 

He married Eliza Loudin, daughter of Walter Loudin and Nancy Conley, 
February 14, 1856. 

Children : Albert J., Moses Franklin, Grace, the wife of Rev. J. S. W. Dean, 
and Elsie, head nurse in the David City Hospital, David City, Neb. 

ALBERT JENKINS MARPLE, Ex-Sherifif of Upshur County, was born 
March 19, 1857. Son of Granville D. and Eliza (Loudin) Marple. Was raised 
on a farm. Attended the public schools in winter and assisted on the farm during 
summer. He completed his education at the French Creek Institute. Was 
a teacher for four years and was selected as Deputy Sheriff of his father from 
1881-5, and was elected Sheriff for the term 1893-7. 



504 FAMILY HISTORY. 

From birth_until 1881, he lived on the waters of Grassy Run, Washington 
District, where his father owned a farm. In 1881 he moved to Buckhannon 
Town and lived there until 1883, when he returned to the farm on Grassy Run 
and there lived until 1893, when he came to Buckhannon to be at the County Seat, 
during his term of Sheriffship. In 1898 he moved to Lorentz, where he now lives 
on a farm, and is surrounded with good neighbors. 

He has always taken a lively interest in live stock of all kinds, keeps blooded 
turkeys, registered hogs, pure blood cows and fine orchard. 

He was an ardent tax reformer in the campaign of 1904, and for his enthu- 
siastic support of Governor W. M. O. Dawson in the preliminary contest and 
the general election was named by his excellency as a member of the Board of 
the Spencer Asylum for insane of West Virginia. 

On May 26, 1881, he married Mary M. Reger, daughter of David S. and 
Elizabeth (Xeely) Reger and to this marriage have been born four children, two 
sons and two daughters, whose names are : Clvde, Hugh, Grace and Ruth. 

ALBINOS REGER MARPLE is a farmer of Warren District, owning 
three hundred and eight acres of good land on the waters of Hackers Creek, was 
born January 27, 1834, the son of John W. Marple and the grandson of John 
Abram Marple and Barbara Weaver of Pennsylvania. His mother was Ruth Reger, 
daughter of Isaac and Mary Magdalene (Brake) Reger. He was a Confederate 
soldier in the 20th Virginia Cavalry, under Captain Elam Corder. He had four 
sisters and one brother, namely: Rosetta, wife of Dr. John M. McWhorter. 
Samantha, wife of Job Casto, Almira Arminta, wife of Elam C. Robinson ; Colum- 
bia Helen, wife of Miflin Lawson, and Addison E., who married Marietta Casto. 
The subject of this sketch married Mary J. Post, daughter of Daniel Post, and 
their children are: ]\Iandena, wife of Joseph Lewis; Selecus E., married Annie 
Armstrong; Archilles Landolus, married Cora McKinney ; Nevada, married 
Homer W. Reynolds, and Louvernia. married Churchill Reeder. 

GIDEON M. MARPLE, son of Minter F. Marple and Minen-a E. Crislip, 
the daughter of William T. Crislip and Hannah Ward. He is the grandson of 
Amos Marple, who was a son of Abraham Marple. His grandfather was a soldier 
in the loth West \^irginia Infantry, under Captain J. L. Gould. Was fifer of 
Company B, of that Regiment and served throughout the war. His wife's maiden 
name was Jemima Cummins. 

Minter F. IMarple enlisted as a soldier in Company H, loth West ^'■irginia 
Volunteer Infantry, May 8, 1861, served throughout the war. \\'as shot in the 
thigh and hit with a shell in the back. Was orderly seargent and color bearer for 
his company, with the commission of Second Lieutenant. He died February 5, 
1905. 

The subject of this sketch is a farmer of Warren District. Owns two farms 
in different parts of the District. 

His first wife was Mary R. Bennett, the daughter of Abraham Bennett. She 
died in 1884. 

His second wife was Addie M. Hinkle. born Nov. 18, 1870, the daughter 
of Cyrus Hinkle. Their marriage occurred March 5, 1891, and their children 
were: Vola and Dana C, both now dead. 

His third wife was Rosa Bell (Smith) Brake, widow of William Brake, son 
of Jacob. Her child by her first husband was Joseph Freeman Brake, bora 
February 26, 1893. She was the daughter of Perry Smith and Barbara Ward, 
the daughter of Acquilla Ward and Comfort Cooper. On her father's side she 
was a granddaughter of Christian Smith and Jane C. Carper. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 505 

Mr. Marple lives on the Buckhannon and Clarksburg Turn Pike, near Mt. 
Lebanon M. E. Church. 

I. L. MARPLE, the Upshur County Poet, is a son of A. E. and Mary E. 
Marple and was born on Hacker's Creek. 

He spent his early life on the farm, working hard and studying diligently. 
When he became a man he took up the profession of teaching, and for ten years 
taught in the public schools of the county. 

He married Miss Effie Reger of Buckhannonn. Their children are Forrest 
Marple and Alma Marple. 

In 1898 he entered the ministry and for a number of years has been secretary 
of the Buckhannon District Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

We quote a part of a poem from his pen, entitled : 

A THOUGHT FROM THE SOUTHLAND. 

Away in the far off Southland, 

Where the orange blossoms bloom, 
I stood in a quiet graveyard 

And gazed upon a tomb 
That contained the sacred relics 

Of a mother who had gone 
To try the stern realities 

Of the great unknown beyond. 

I thought, as I read the story 

Told on that humble slab. 
Of the cruelty of the white man 

Who gave the fatal stab. 
For she had "died of a broken heart" — 

Just twenty-nine years old — 
Because her children were taken away 

To the merchant-man and sold. 

She could not help her color — 

Her servitude or race — 
She had a soul within her breast, 

Though jet black was her face. 
And she loved her darling children 

With a fervency unknown 
To those who never had love 

For children of their own. 

But they were slaves ! The master 

Had a right to buy and sell 
And trade in human beings — 

What a tale these words do tell — 
And he had torn those children 

From their mother's fond embrace. 
And sold them to a merchant, 

In a far off distant place. 



506 FAMILY HISTORY. 

ROSA MARTINEY, the widow of Rev. John A. Martiney and the daughter 
of Lieutenant H. H. Lewis and Martha Harris of Randolph County. It is claimed 
that Martha Harris is a direct descendant of the Harris family that came over in 
the Mayflower. She is the granddaughter of Andrew Lewis of Big Sand Run, 
who gave seven sons as good soldiers to the suppression of the Civil War, from 
l86i to 1865. The subject of this sketch was born October 23, 1870, near Hel- 
vetia, was educated in the common schools and the West Virginia Conference 
Seminary and was married September 30, 1892, to Rev. John A. Martney. a min- 
ister of the M. E. Church, whose active ministry in this world was cut short by 
grim visage death, September 1901. 

Children: Lula. born June 13, 1893; Ottia, born December 23. 1894; Mina 
T., born June 15, 1898; Grace, born November 15, 1900. 

BRYANT JOSIAH MARTIN was born April 23, 1874. Son of Thomas 
Martin and Sarah C. Moore, his father was born April 30, 1842, and died May 
30, 1906, and his children were : Henry W., Harriet L., Elizabeth K., Annie E., 
Mary L., Bryant J., Clara M., Flora A., Una F., and Lucy A. 

His grandfather was Josiah Martin and his great grandfather was George 
Washington Martin of Marion County. 

The subject of this sketch married Louella Gertrude Russell, the daughter of 
John R. Russell, December 24, 1896, she was born July 15, 1877. Their children 
are: Raymond, Bernard Gofif, Reta Pauline, Orza Justus, Holt Gaines, Leota 
Ellen. 

Mr. Martin, is a member of the Baptist Church and is a hard worker for his 
denomination. He farms and has two hundred acres of land, with which to farm. 
His farm is known as the Thomas Martin farm. He is a Republican in politics. 

HENRY W. MARTIN, is a minister in the Baptist Church, has been 
Pastor at Holly Grove, Sand Run, Ten Mile, Tallmansville and Hacker's Valley, 
appointments for the past four years. He is also a farmer and owns 100 acres of 
land near Carter Postoffice on which he lives. He was born November 18, 1867, 
and was married March 26, 1894, to Celia Rose Elmer, who was born January 21, 
1872, and their children are: Junia Inez, born April 8, 1896, and Wirt Warren, 
born April 27, 1900. 

The subject of this sketch was a son of Thomas and Sarah C. (Moore) 
Martin and the grandson of Josiah and Kissa (Vincent) Martin of Holly Grove. 
His wife was a daughter of E. F. and Susan (Thomas) Elmer and the grand- 
daughter of Adeniga and Mariah (Weld) Elmer, who came to this County from 
New York in 1866. 

LUTHER MARTIN, one of the oldest and largest retail coal dealers at 
Buckhannon. His parents came here before the Civil War and the subject of 
this sketch was a Major in the 133d Virginia Militia up to the breaking out of 
the war, when he became wagon master in the Northern Army. 

His parents were Jonas and Mariah (Paugh) Martin, and his grandfather 
was William Martin of Loudin County, Va., and his grandmother, the wife of 
Levi Paugh, the father of his mother, Peggy Conley, was fresh from the green 
field of Erin. He was the second child of a family of eight, his brothers and 
sisters being: William Marshall, Jonas W., dead, Margaret, dead. John D., 
Matilda Jane, Susan E., Orvill F., Tilletson, Vassilla. 

Mr. Martin was raised on a farm as a farmer and has always lived up to his 
early teaching. Owns 120 acres of good grass and coal land, one mile north of 
the town of Buckhannon, on which he keeps ever good horses and fine cattle. 

He married Mary L. Jackson, daughter of Peter Jackson, of Scotch-Irish 



FAMILY HISTORY. 507 

descent, of Virginia. And his children are : Henry Clay, who lives in Colorado ; 
Benjamin L., Guy, who married Lily Haskins ; Daisy, Ernest J., and Opha. 

MARGARET J. MARTIN, daughter of Adam Jane (Coyner) Faught, born 
September 20, 1859. Married to Orvill F. Martin, November 28, 1884. 

Living children: Lillian L., born December 8, 1888; Adam Harold, born July 
29, 1891 ; Lona L., born January 26, 1893; Atwell Dewey, born October 22, 1896. 

OBADIAH WARREN MARTIN was born March 10, 1844, in Marion 
County, Va., now West Virginia. 

Immigrated to Upshur County, W. Va., in 1859, with his father, Josiah Mar- 
tin, and his grandfather, George W. Martin, and settled on the Buckhannon River 
near what is now Alexander. 

His grandfather, George W. Martin, was a pioneer M. E. Minister, who 
lived during the Civil War, in that country, and married a larger number of people 
than any other mrr n 'hat country. 

O. W. Martin' • '•■er was Kizziah Vincent, daughter of Enoch Vincent and 
Elizabeth (Duvol) \ !ncent. 

George W. Martin married Prudence Lucy Carpenter. 

O. W. Martin enlisted in Company B, loth West Virginia Infantry, at 
Beverly, Randolph County, August 20, 1862, and was discharged at Richmond, 
Va., June 30, 1865. He was in fifteen hard fought battles and in his own langu- 
age, "He dreaded entering each succeeding battle more than he did the preceding 
one." 

He was married May 23, 1867, to Louisa Stansberry of Barbour County, W. 
Va., daughter of Jonah and Sarah Stansberry, and nine children were born to 
them: Lasora, wife of Dr. F. F. Farnsworth ; Victoria, wife of J. D. Miller; 
Enoch E., who was shot by the accidental discharge of a gun in the hands of 
Roy Carpenter, August 12, 1904, and died August 18, 1904, leaving a widow, 
"nee" Cora M. Allman, and one son. Dexter Clayton, aged two years ; Stalnaker, 
who died July 31, 1897, at the age of 22 years; Thomas S., who married Mary 
Raikes ; Granville Ray, who married B. Maude Wilson ; Clayton J. and Josiah, 
both single, and Sarah, dead. 

After his marriage he settled on the head waters of Laurel Fork, a branch 
of French Creek in the virgin forest, and improved a good farm and built good 
buildings and continued (o live there until 1902, when he moved to Beechtown, 
where he bought the farm of the late Jared M. Armstrong, which contains 200 
acres, on which he now resides. 

He is much interested in good stock and good buildings. 

In 1877 he was converted and united with the M. E. Church, and helped to 
build the old log Bethlehem Church. He was prominent in supplanting the old 
log church by a good frame building, second to no country church in Upshur 
County, in 1899. 

WILLIAM T. MARTIN, bom May 19, 1861, son of George W., and 
Rebecca Ann (Hyre) Martin, daughter of Elijah and Margaret (Loudin) Hyre, 
who was a daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Conley) Loudin. 

George W. Martin was born in Augusta County, Va., son of Woodson and 
Sarah (Crizer) Martin, natives of Nelson County, Va. He came to Upshur 
County in 1844, with his father and both followed the brick mason trade and built 
the first brick house in Buckhannon, known as the Mullin House. George W. 
Martin was a soldier in Captain Hagan's Company. 

William T. Martin was married on May i, 1884, to Kate Rollins, daughter 
of Lemuel and Elizabeth (Reese) Rollins. Lemuel Rollins was a son of Barney 



508 FAMILY HISTORY. 

'and Catherine (Wetherholt) Rollins. And was first chair maker in the town of 
Buckhannon and a member of the first Council. 

Children: Harold Clyde, born May 15, 1885, died July 31, 1897; Carl 
Frank, born December 22, 1886; George Lemuel, born August 20, 1888; lea. 
bom December i, 1890, died October 20, 1896; Wm. A. E., born August 18, 1892; 
Ada Mabel, born April 4, 1894 ; Ether Maud, born May 9, 1896 ; Woodson, born 
May 27, 1898; Clifton, born November 24, 1900; Theodore Roosevelt Lincoln, 
horn February 9, 1903. 

William T. Martin was one of the first councilmen elected wTien South 
Buckhannon was incorporated, which office he still holds. He is a Republican in 
politics. His two brothers are: Robert C. and Jacob E., and his sisters are Mary 
E. and Sarah M. 

GEORGE EDWIN MATHERS, born February 7, 1870, in Buckhannon, 
son of Dr. J. R. Mathers, the grandson of Rev. Edward Mathers a minister of 
the M. P. Church, who came from New York and located in Wheeling, W. Va., 
at first and later moved to Upshur County. His mother was Lucinda J. Rohr- 
bough, daughter of Jacob Rohrbough, who was a son of Simon Rohrbough. 
After completing his education in the public school of the town, he entered the 
lumber business, which he has followed for the last twenty-two years, repre- 
senting some of the best firms in this part of the State. Being the only child, 
and his mother having died when young, he was raised by George Stuart. 

Married Clara Norris, daughter of Elias and Elizabeth Norris, who emigrated 
from Virginia to Lewis county and lived there, September 20, 1891, when the 
ceremony of matrimony occured. Child: Ruby Bera, born July 28, 1892. 

ISAAC R. MATTHEWS, son of Simon Matthews, a Confederate soldier, 
Company A, 25th Infantry, and Lee Anna Murphy, daughter of Marshall Murphy, 
soldier in the war of 1812, and Mary Poe, daughter of Stephen Poe, who was the 
son of Samuel Poe, a Revolutionary soldier. He is a saw fitter by trade and came 
to Upshur County in 1891, with Smoot, Berthy & Co. 

Married Minerva C. Bennett, daughter of Jacob Bennett, January 3, 1877. 
Children: Icy B., Virginia C, James B., Simon R., Russell Alverta, Lee Anna, 
and Adda. 

He now lives in Webster County. 

CAIOUS McATEE, employe of the J. L. Henry Planing Mill Company. 
Son of William and Rebecca Ellen (Maxwell) McAtee. Born November 29, 
1858, in Wood County, Va., married for his first wife Anna Swiger of Wood 
County and for his second wife Victoria Paugh, he has but one living child, 
Bessie. 

JOHN A. McCartney, bom August 26, 1836, in Lewis County, son of 
William B. McCartney and Phoebe B. Riffle, grandson of Thomas McCartney 
and Sarah Bennett. Thomas McCartney came direct from Scotland. 

Phoebe Riffle was a daughter of George Rififle and Susan McCaulIey, of 
Scotch-Irish descent. 

Sarah Bennett was the daughter of William Bennett. 

At the termination of the fratricidal war of 1861-5, Mr. McCartney settled 
in Upshur County and in 1880, he married Hannah V. West, the daughter of John 
and Abagail West. 

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. McCartney cast his lot with the South, 
and in compliance with this decision volunteered at Hacker's Valley May 12, 
1861, in Captain Mollehan's Company, afterwards Company G, 25th Virginia 
Volunteer Infantry, and went forth to fight for his convictions. His company was 



FAMILY HISTORY. 509 

in Gamett's retreat from Beverly, in the Alleghany Mountain fight, December 13, 
1861, the second battle of Kernstown, the charge on the Brick House, where Gen. 
Mulligan was killed and was with Lee's Army while Grant was marching toward 
Richmond. He saw the surrender of Lee and took his parol on April 10, 1865. 

He is a citizen of Bank's District, lives near the Postoffice of Kanawha Head 
and a Democrat in politics. 

WILLIAM HENRY McCLAIN was bom September 13, 1838, and was 
married to Mary E. Ferrell, who was born April 16, 1841. 

Children: Charles Everett, married Minty Eubant ; Emory Wells, Samuel 
Edward, married Georgia Mick; Emma Cordelia, married P. S. Harper; George 
Alvin ; Mary Martha, married Wm. H. Bennett ; William Lewis, married Anna 
Tierney ; Alvin Wade, Rosa May, married Gilbert Simons ; Robert Murrel, mar- 
ried Hattie Bennett ; Ernest, married Mamie Potts. 

The subject of this sketch is a son of William McClain, who was a son of 
Henry McClain, who emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania, then came to 
'Virginia and died at the age of 96 years. William McClain, came from Virginia 
and located on White's Camp, waters of the West Fork River, bought a woodland 
farm containing 150 acres. He died July 2, 1849, ^"^ '^^*^ ^ widow with 12 child- 
ren, who succeeded in having the farm cleared out. 

Mrs. McClain, the wife of the subject of this sketch was a daughter of 
Lewis Ferrell and Martha (Loving) Ferrell of Albermarle County, Va., wlio came 
to this county in 1845. 

Mr. McClain is a member of the M. E. Church South, and a Republican. 

ELIZA JANE VANGILDER McCLAY, daughter of Frederick and Har- 
riet Dorcas Vangilder, born December 7, i860, married Josiah McCiay an 
employe of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company for the past sixteen years. 
May 14, 1877. 

Children: Mary, born June 6, 1878, lives in Ohio; Edward, born December 
31, 1880, B. & O. office, Grafton ; John Francis, born January — , 1882, a salesman ; 
Jennie H., born May 25, 1884, wife of Elza Young; Frederick Nelson, born March 
6, 1887. 

The Vangilders are descendants from Holland emigrants. 

MARY VIRGINIA McCOY, daughter of Estridge McCoy of Barbour 
County, a farmer and son of Benjamin and Matilda (Johnson) McCoy. Was 
born in 185 1. Estridge McCoy married Barbara Ellen Corder, daughter of Allen 
E. and Margaret (Talbott) Corder, April 14, 1874. 

Children: E. A., M. V., Rodolph, T. O., R. L., H. A., Jessie F. and L. M. 

JOSEPH COLEMAN McCRAY, son of Robert McCray of Cleveland, 
Webster County. Was born May 28, 1837, and was married April 8, 1869 to 
Margaret Marietta Young, who was born January 19, 1839, the daughter of 
Anson and Anna (Brake) Young. 

The Young family came from New England here and is one of the oldest 
families in the County. Mrs. McCray was a teacher in Centerville, for several 
years before her marriage, which function she is filling with fidelity and honor. 

Their children are : Adelia Alice, wife of James W. Hefner ; Sabina R., born 
in 1872 and died 1873; Louvenia R., married N. S. McCray of Lewis County; 
Hardy Y., a lumberman; James R., an engineer on the railroad; Charles J., lum- 
berman, single, and Bertha May, wife of M. D. Poling, of Richwood. 

His politics are Democratic and his religion M. E., South. 
RICHARD C. McCRAY is a farmer owning 130 acres of land on the Little 
Kanawha river near Cleveland. Is a Democrat in politics. Is the son of Robert 



510 FAMILY HISTORY. 

and Jerusha (Lake) McCray and the grandson of Robert McCray of Cleveland. 
His birth occurred September 25, 1866, and on January 4, 1894, occurred his mar- 
riage to Martha S. Harper, who was bom February 19, 1872. 

Mrs. McCray is the daughter of W. L. and Catherine W. (Childress) 
Harper. Their children are: Doris, born May 19, 1895, died November 24, 1897; 
Kelvin L., born October 23. 1898; Ulva L., March 29, 1897; Olga L., May 5, 
1900; Mabel L.. August 15. 1902; Algia L., March 28, 1904; Flov L., July 2, 1906. 

MOSES MITCHELL McCUE, son of William Boyd and Frances (Wine- 
barger) McCue, grandson of Charles McCue and great grandson of John McCue 
of Scotland, who came to Nelson County, Mrginia, at an early date, and settled 
and lived there until his death. The grandfather. Charles McCue. was a school 
teacher of Nelson County, Virginia. W. B. McCue went from Nelson County 
to Albermarle, and there united in marriage, January 28, 1828, to Frances Wine- 
barger, and after marriage lived in Albermarle County until November, 1847. 
Then leaving their old homestead they came to L^pshur County, and for six 
months \Mlliam Boyd McCue was miller at the Jacob Hyre mill on Finks Run. 
In 1848, he moved to Stone Coal, near the present postoffice of McCue. and there, 
on January 21, 1852, was born the subject of this sketch, who is a farmer and 
elder in the Presbyterian Church. His brothers and sisters are : Ann Rebecca, 
wife of Wm. Bethel ; Charles Franklin, who married Parthena Hudson : Wm. C, 
who married Cornelia Fanarlsdarling : James S.. who married Mary E Ham- 
ner; John W., who married Margaret Ludridge; Mary F. wife of G. P. Eckes ; 
Henry D.. who married Elsie A. Lemmons ; Moses M., who married Olive Caste, 
eldest daughter of Asahel and Jane (Peterson) Casto, Februar}' 18, 1875. 
Charles F., oldest son of William B. McCue, built a grist mill near the present 
site, where his son, John F. McCue. now resides. William B. ^IcCue and son 
C. F., were the founders of the McCue Presbyterian Church, which was com- 
pleted in 1883. William C, second son of William B. McCue, went from this 
place to Fairfield County, Ohio, residing there for some years, then moving from 
there to Lawrence County, Missouri, where he now resides. James S.. third son 
of William B., resided on part of the place formerly owned by his father, until 
the year 1901, when he departed this life. John W., fourth son of William B., 
resides near Evergreen, Upshur County; Henry D., fifth son of William B., re- 
sides on a farm near the old homestead. Moses M., the sixth and last son of Wil- 
liam B., is a farmer and resides at the old homestead : his children. Sophrona 
May, died September 10, 1905 ; Lydia Frances, married James A. Duncan, No- 
vember 22, 1893. ^"d to this union have been born two daughters ; Sadie Jane, 
married William G. Lanham, October 14, 1903 ; Joseph Ray, married Maude May 
Mace, September 6, 1905 ; Julia Matilda, Daisy Mrginia, William Cyrus, all 
single, living with their parents near McCue. 

JAI\IES A. McDowell was born March i, 1874, the son of John Alex- 
ander and Margaret (Donelly) McDowell. John A. was the son of John and 
Anna (Curry) ]\IcDowell. John McDowell died September 21, 1866, and Anna 
(Curry) McDowell died March 12, 1883. 

John A. McDowell \vas married February 2. 1854 to Margaret Donnelly, 
who was born in Alonroe County, \'a.. December 26. 1833. the daughter of 
James and Hannah (Dunbar) Donelly. Their children are: Elizabeth S.. bom 
February 27. 1853, married Lloyd J. Curry, merchant at Centerville : Isaac N., 
born November 24. 1856. married Tabitha E. Jackson of Texas ; H. Bruce, bom 
October 21, 1858. married M. Hettie Reger of Lewis County; Malissa J., bom 
February 6, 1861, married William A. Kincaid, Postmaster of Centerville; Martha 



FAMILY HISTORY. 511 

R., bom June 27, 1865, married Andrew JNIearns ; Mary S., bom May 28, 1863, 
died July 17, 1892; Sarah E.. born January 23, 1868, died February i, 1868; 
Irene Ada, born ]May 28, i86q: William K., born September 25, 1871, married Iva 
Kincaid; James A., born March i, 1874. 

James A. McDowell is a sadler and harness maker. In politics a staunch 
Prohibitionist and in religion a Missionary Baptist. His residence is in Center- 
ville. 

CLARA GOL^LD McLEOD. was born on the waters of Glady Fork of Stone 
Coal, in i860, and lived there until 1871. was a pupil in the Buckhannon Graded 
Schools from this time until 1880, with the summer spent in study and school at 
the French Creek Academy, select schools and normals in Buckhannon, taught 
school in Rural Districts of L'pshur on a No. i Graded certificate during winters 
of 1880 and 1881. In August, 1882, she went to Howkan, Alaska, under the aus- 
pices of the Presb\1:erian Board of Home Missions as teacher to the Hydah 
Indians. She was missionary for three years, after which time she was commis- 
sioned by the U. S. Government to teach the same school. She worked and 
labored with the Hvdah Indians as Government teacher for ten years or until 
1895. 

In 1890 she married W. D. McLeod of New York City at Howkan. In 1895 
Margaret Elizabeth was born. In 1904 Gilbert Donald was born. 

Hers was the first white wedding witnessed among the Hydah Indians and her 
daughter was the first white child born among them. 

Since 1901 she has been living in Daykoo, in McLeod Bay, on Dall Island, 
within three miles of the British line. 

HENRY L. McOUAIN is a farmer of Banks District. Was born January 
22, 1866. Was married August 26, 1886, to Hulda J. Hickman, who was born 
October i. 1862. Their children are: Rosa, born April 13, 1888; James L.. born 
May 29, 1890; Etta L., born April 2, 1893. Mrs. McQuaid died June 2. 1896. 

On September 18, 1896, he married Virginia M. Andrew. Their children 
are: Laura B., born December 21. 1897; Audra M.. born May 2, 1901 ; John L.. 
born December 16, 1903. Mrs. Virginia McQuaid died June 16, 1904. 

On October 26, 1906, he married Harriet Wimer, daughter of Elihu and 
Rosanna (Brake) Wimer. 

His home farm contains 75 acres on the waters of the Little Kanawha River, 
He and his wife own a farm of no acres on West Fork. They are Methodists in 
religion and he is a Republican in politics. 

■^ ROBERT WELTON McQLTAIN has been mail carrier for 14 years with- 
out failure or fine. Owns two farms, one of 40 acres near Centerville and one 
of 100 acres on White's Camp Run. He was bom March 4, 1855. Was 
married in 1877 to Mrginia Susan Marley, daughter of Samuel Marley and their 
child, William Luther died November 21, 1878. 

Mrs. McOuain died January 18, 1882. 

He married for his second wife Lyda Susan Siron, the daughter of Valentine 
and Emily (Flesher) Siron of Highland County, November 30, 1882. 

Lydia Susan McOuain was born July 25, 1861, and her children are: Trude 
Margaret, Edward Harrison. Lizzie Blanche, Sarah A., dead. India Orpha, Mary 
Emily, Perry Waid, Thomas. 

^Ir. McOuain's parents are: Thomas and Sarah Ann (Stone) McOuain. 

J. M. ]\Ic\TCKER. farmer and teacher. Son of Granville G. and Lucretia 
M. (McCorkle) Mc\'icker, born March 3, 1875. Granville G. Mc\'icker emi- 
grated from Scotland and was the father of Joseph Lee, William Harry, Walter 



512 FAMILY HISTORY. 

T., Bookkeeper for the Belington Lumber Co., L. C, of the Signal Corps of the 
Philippine Islands, J. M., Octavia and Hazel. 

DR. J. M. McWHORTER was born of Scotch-Irish extraction on the 
22d day of January, 1822. He is the grandson of Henry McWhorter, the first 
McWhorter who settled in West Virginia, and from whom all the McWhorters 
in West Virginia are directly descended. He was the tenth child of Walter Mc- 
Whorter and Margaret Herst McWhorter. He descends from good Revolution- 
ary stock, his grandfather, Henry iMcWhorter having been a Revolutionary 
soldier, fighting under Washington at White Plains and elsewhere, and his grand- 
father Herst, on his mother's side, having served in the Continental Army during 
almost the entire Revolutionary War. 

Dr. McWhorter was born and reared in Harrison County where he lived 
until i860, when he moved to Upshur County. In 1848 he married Rosetta Marple, 
daughter of John W. Marple, and to them were born eleven children, eight of 
whom lived to maturity, seven of whom are still living. When his two youngest 
children were very small, his wife died, and some years later he married Mrs. 
Phebe Cunningham, of Ritchie County, who died in 1905. For twenty-five years 
he was actively engaged in the practice of medicine, his practice soon growing 
large and extending into several counties in this state. When he became about 
sixty-five years old he retired from the practice of his profession, spending his 
spare time in writing, lecturing and preaching. He was ordained a local minister 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, but later retired therefrom and joined 
the Universalist Church, whose doctrines he has openly espoused for more than 
sixty years, and was then ordained a local minister in that Church. Being the 
pioneer advocate of Universalism in West Virginia, and the first licensed min- 
istser of that church in this state, and the people at that time being generally 
uninformed of the nature and character of that doctrine so that much feeling and 
opposition were aroused against him, his religious life became an active and strenu- 
ous one, and he wrote and delivered many sermons and lectures in vindication of 
his church doctrines, and in defending them from assaults made upon them by 
o:her church adherents. A book of his sermons and lectures was published. 
His open advocacy of his church doctrine at so early a date unavoidably kept him 
in almost constant controversy and debate for many years until, through the gen- 
eral diffusion of knowledge and liberality among the people and churches, his 
defensive warfare practically ceased as opposition subsided. 

Dr. McWhorter was an extensive farmer, as well as physician, but a few 
years ago, feeling the weight of approaching age, he disposed of his farming 
interests and removed to Buckhannon. where he has since lived, and where now, 
at the ripe age of eighty-five, he is still living in exceptional mental and physical 
vigor. 

His has been a most arduous and active life, without the advantage of a col- 
lege education, he, through his tireless energy and incessant toil and studious 
application, attained eminence in the medical profession, a number of his articles 
giving the results of his original investigation and treatment of many diseases 
having been published and commented upon in various medical journals published 
throughout the United States. 

As an illustration of the strenuous life he has led from his youth, it might 
be of interest to recall the fact that when a boy, only from sixteen to eighteen years 
old, he carried the mail from Clarksburg through the wilderness and across the 
Cheat Mountains, both winter and summer, to where the city of Durbin now 
stands, the place then being called Traveller's Repose, and he also carried the mail 



FAMILY HISTORY. 513 

from Clarksburg through by way of Weston to the Little Kanawha River, where 
Glenville now stands, thence by way of Sutton and Burnsville to French Creek 
in Upshur County, then back to Weston by way of Buckhannon, the entire 
route being through an almost unbroken wilderness, and Buckhannon at that 
time being only a small village of a few scattering houses, the postoffice being kept 
by Henry Westfall at his residence where the Hart property now stands in 
Buckhannon. At that time, lie says, when the mails were open, the postmaster 
would place the mail for the town in the crown of his hat, then go to the few 
houses and business places and distribute it. This is the first free delivery of mail 
Buckhannon ever had — and to this date, 1907, the last. 

On one of these trips down Leading Creek, near where the Catholic Church 
now stands, while traveling alone through a dismal forest, early in the morning, 
a panther attempted to jump on him from the road side. It was so close to him 
that he says he could have struck it with an ox gad. Although unarmed, he main" 
tained his presence of mind and cowed the beast by looking it sternly in the eye 
each time it attempted to spring until he got past it. It repeatedly crouched to 
spring, wringing its tail and throwing out its long, ugly claws, but as it would 
look up for the spring it would catch his eye and sink back again. There seems 
to be something about the human eye, when backed by coolness and nerve, that 
terrorizes a wild beast, at least it did so in this case. He says that it was a 
terribly gaunt, hungry looking animal At another time, while coming through 
the Allegheny Mountains one dark night, just before daybreak, with the snow up 
to the saddle girth, a panther screamed right by the roadside. This is one time 
when, he says, he was actually scared, and expected every minute to feel the ani- 
mal's claws. At different times on these trips he saw wild bears as well as pan- 
thers. When a boy he also walked from Clarksburg across the mountains to 
Loudoun County, Virginia., Washington, Baltimore at different times driving 
stock at thirty-three cents per day. On his return trips he yas expected to walk a 
hundred miles every three days on two meals a day, and was paid accordingly. 

Such, in short, was the arduous life he lived when young, whereby was laid 
the habits and foundation upon which his later active private and professional 
life was built. He was always a close, hard student, a broad reader, and of inde- 
pendent mind. He was a strong opponent of the Ordinance of Secession, votings 
and working against it, but after the war was declared and innocent men who were 
suspected of being Southern sympathizers were sent from his county to Northern 
prisons upon frivulous charges, he, at the risk of his life, made several trips to 
Wheeling and Camp Chase and obtained the freedom of a number of his neigh- 
bors and friends, who through personal malice and spite had been sent to these 
prisons. For his work in this behalf both his life and liberty were threatened. 
But such threats never swerved him for a moment from his purpose and efforts 
to relieve his suffering friends and countrymen. On account of his work in this 
behalf and of his support of General McClellan for President, and of his having 
made speeches in behalf of McClellan, he was assaulted in the streets of Buck- 
hannon and the soldiers who were then quartered in the town, through the 
instigation of some private citizens, attempted to egg him. This so exasper- 
ated him, considering the fact that he had always been an open advocate of the 
Union, and had only done what he conceived to be his duty, that he subsequently 
armed himself and came back to Buckhannon with the confident expectation of 
being again assaulted and with the intention of his selling out his life as dearly as 
possible. Fortunately, however, no soldiers were in the town at that time. Sub- 
sequently a message was sent to him by the soldiers again quartered in the town 



514 FAMILY HISTORY. 

that if he did not return to the town and submit to an egging they would go to 
his home ; whereupon he issued a challenge to them to come, which was not 
accepted. The lives of many innocent men were saved by him through his efforts 
in their behalf. 

Dr. McWhorter has written a number of sermons, lectures, speeches and 
poems which have never been delivered. He was a leader and helper of his people 
where he lived. His life was given to the public, and sixty years of arduous ser- 
vice has been devoted almost entirely by him to the welfare of his fellow-men. 
The following lines written by him in his eighty-fifth year, fairly disclosed the 
unselfish attitude he has always maintained toward others. 

1. Where are you going, never mind, 
But treat your fellow mortals kind ; 
Discharge the duty that nearest lies, 
For that's the road to Paradise. 

2. Let selfish greed and discord die. 
They mar your pathway to the sky; 
And let your life and service be. 

To lift man up and set him free. 

3. Let others search for wealth and might, 
Be mine to treat my brethren right ; 
Are suffering mortals bowed with grief? 
Be mine to sooth and give relief. 

CLOSE OF LIFE. 

J. M. McWhorter. 

With feeble steps life's labor done, 

I turn my face to the setting sun. 
Relying on my Heavenly guide, 

Fearless I launch on the rolling tide. 

The stormy scenes of life are o'er, 
Faith anchors now on the shining shore. 
The paths of life beset with snares. 
With toil and pain bedewed with tears. 

Are past and gone.and now I see, 

Thy gracious hand has guided me, 
Altho' I'd murmur and complain, 

The cross I bore has been my gain. 

How often have I gone astray. 

Though taught to know the better way; 

The spirit voice would gently call 
"Come back to him who died for all." 

I thank thee Father, God of Heaven, 
For light and truth so freely given. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 515 



That sin and death shall be no more 
And all shall reach the heavenly shore. 



And now dear Lord I come to thee ; 

In death thou wilt my anchor be, 
And gently lead me o'er the wave, 

For thou alone hast power to save. 

Farewell to earth with all its cares, 

Its joys, its sorrows and its tears. 
To all dear friends, who are left behind. 

Whose love and care has been so kind. 

We soon shall meet on the shining shore, 
Where parting shall be known no more; 

We then shall see that the toils of earth 

Where the fathers guide to the heavenly birth. 

What joy to meet with parted friends. 

Reunion there will never end. 
Grieve not for me at the parting shore 

For I have only gone before. 

Note — Written on 8oth birthday, June 22, 1902, without glasses. 

JUDGE J. C. McWHORTER was born of Scotch-Irish stock on the 5th 
day of July, 1866, in Upshur County, and is the youngest son of Dr. J. M. 
McWhorter. His mother was the daughter of John W. Marple and died when 
the subject of this sketch was four years old. He is descended from Revolution- 
ary stock, his great grandfather, Henr}' McWhorter, the first McWhorter to settle 
West Virginia, having been a Revolutionary soldier, fighting under Washington 
at the White Plains and elsewhere. From this old pioneer all the McWhorters 
in West Virginia are directly descended, three of whom having been, or are, 
judges in West Virginia, namely: H. C. McWhorter, President of the Supreme 
Court of Appeals ; Joseph M. McWhorter, twice Judge in the Greenbrier Circuit, 
and J. C. McWhorter, now Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of West 
Virginia. 

J.C. McWhorter was reared on a farm in Upshur County, where he worked 
until he was twenty-four years old, when to prepare himself for the legal profes- 
sion, he became a student in the West Virginia University, graduating from that 
institution in the highest division of his class in 1894, having completed five years 
work in four years and winning several prizes in oratory and debate during his 
college career. He was the first student who, in his freshman year, was ever 
elected President of the Columbian Literary Society of the State University. 
He was immediately, after graduation, admitted to the bar, and located for the 
practice of his profession in Buckhannon, in his native county. He achieved 
success at the bar from the very start. In 1897 he formed a partnership with 
Senator U. G. Young, under the firm name of Young & McWhorter, and success 
of this firm was such that its practice soon extended into various parts of the 
State. In 1004 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket a candidate for Judge 
of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of West Virginia, consisting of the Counties of 
Upshur, Webster, Braxton and Nicholas. Although the nominal majority 



516 FAMILY HISTORY. 

against him was more than a thousand, he was elected by nearly a thousand 
majority, running ahead of his ticket in every county in the circuit, and carrying 
his own county of Upshur by over a hundred majority, although at the same time 
that county gave Theodore Roosevelt about 1,700 majority for President. This 
official posiiion he still holds, his term of office to expire on the ist day of Janu- 
ary, 1913. He is the first judge ever elected in this state from Upshur County. 
Having been a teetotaler all his life, he has been vigorous in his enforcement of 
the liquor laws of the state, and is persistent in his efforts to have all laws 
enforced. 

In 1895 he married Elizabeth Alkire, only daughter of Washington and 
Samantha Post Alkire. She was born and reared on Hacker's Creek, in Lewis 
County, West Virginia, and educated in the Wesleyan College of West Virginia. 
To them have been born three children, Nellie, Donald W., and Pauline, all of 
whom are living, aged respectively, 10, 7, and 3 years. 

Judge McWhorter is identified with a number of the business and financial 
enterprises of his county, being a stockholder of the Traders' National Bank of 
Buckhannon, of which he has also been a director for several years, and is also 
a stockholder of the Peoples' Bank of West Virginia, Citizens' Trust & Guaranty 
Company of West Virginia and the Citizens' National Bank of Redlands', 
California. 

ANDREW MEARNS, born May 31, 1855, son of Andrew and Malinda 
(Martheny) Mearns and the grandson of John Mearns, who emigrated from Ire- 
land, settling in Harrison County, in an early day. 

Andrew Mearns was first married to Susan Jane Dawson, February 15, 
1876, she died August 10, 1877, their childs name was Laura May. His second 
wife's maiden name was Martha Rebecca McDowell, born June 27, 1865, whom 
he married October 15, 1885. And their children number twelve, with three sets 
of twins in succession. Their names are: Floyd A., Margaret M., dead; Orlo 
E., Mary Ellen; Monter Ray; Thomas Cowell and Ruth Lankshire ; Fay and 
Clay, both dead ; Doyle and Irene, the latter dead ; Ada Marie. 

His first wife was the daughter of John Dawson and Elizabeth Gaston. 
His second wife was the daughter of J. A. McDowell and Margaret Donelly. 

The subject of this sketch is an undertaker and furniture dealer at Center- 
ville. Is a faithful member of the M. P. Church and so is his wife. 

Mrs. Mearns has been an invalid for three years. 

Mr. Mearns is a Prohibitionist in politics. 

IRA H. MEARNS, born in Upshur County and married Retta A. Currj-, 
the daughter of Lloyd J. Curry and Elizabeth McDowell, July 7, 1898. Mrs. 
Mearns was afflicted for many years, she bore her sufferings with christian 
fortitude until her death, May 30, 1906. 

He is a member of the M. P. Church and Class Leader of the same at Rock 
Cave, is a Free Mason, a Junior and a Prohibitionist. He is now a merchant of 
Rock Cave. He is a son of Milton D. Mearns and N. Valine Curry. His 
parents were married August 27, 1871, and their children are: Alvin L.. John A., 
Laura E., Wilbur Maud, Blanche. Pearl, Cecil, and the subject of this sketch. 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM MEARNS. My grandfather, John 
Mearns came from Ireland in his boyhood days, and in manhood he located on 
Lost Creek, in Harrison County, W. Va., and lived there until his death, which 
occurred 1840. My father, Andrew Mearns, was born and raised there, during his 
life, except about four years, which he spent in the State of Illinois, where he 
lost his first wife and two children, after which he returned to his old home at 
Lost Creek, W. Va., in 1836, was married to his second wife, who was (Miss) 



FAMILY HISTORY. 517 

Malinda Matheny. Her posterity were emigrants from Germany, she is still 
living and located at Lost Creek, Harrison County, W. Va. There was born to 
my father and mother eleven children. My father, Andrew Mearns, died in 
1869. I was born in Barbour County, on the 2d day of May, 1841, and moved from 
there to Lost Creek in my infancy, and remained on the old original Mearns 
farm un'il the 14th day of October, 1863, at which date I was united to (Miss) 
Elizabeth J. Curry, in marriage ; she was a daughter of John Curry, St., and 
Mary Curry, ihey resided on French Creek, Upshur County, W. Va. From my 
boyhood up until my marriage, I worked on the farm after which time I entered 
into stock trade generally, handling all kinds of stock and followed that business 
for the next twenty years of my life, during this time I was also engaged in the 
mercan'ile business, at Centerville, Upshur County, W. Va., and at Nicholas 
Court House, W. Va., I moved from Harrison County, to Upshur County in 
1866. and resided on the original Curry farm about 10 years at which time I 
purchased the John Smith farm near Centerville and resided there about eight 
years, after which time I resided in the town of Centerville, until February. 1892, 
at which time I moved to the town of Buckhannon, W. Va., at which place I 
now reside. 

In the year of 188 1, I was elected Justice of the Peace in Bank's District, 
Upshur County, W. A^a., in the year 1885, I was re-elected and resumed the office 
until 1889, during the time of my holding the office as Justice of the Peace I was 
also a member of the County Court. In the year 1893, I received the appoint- 
ment as Postmaster in the town of Buckhannon, Upshur County, by President 
Cleveland, under the recommendation of Hon. John D. Alderson, which was our 
Congressman at this time.. This sets forth the fact that I have been a Democrat 
all my life and I still remain one. About the year 1882 I entered into the lumber 
business in Upshur County, I Went to the State of Ohio and purchased a saw mill 
which was among the first operated in the County. This mill after being used 
for about five years, the boiler was blown up, kill'ng Russ Hyre. who was firing 
the mill, also wounding Cyrus Brake, James Wilson, and Edwin Hyre. Since 
that time I have purchased and operated five different saw mills, during the time 
of my lumber business I operated in Webster and Nicholas County, about si.x 
years. I still remain in the lumber business. 

My family consists of nine children, viz : Calvin L., who was united in mar- 
riage to Celia E. Rice, September 23, 1891, Celia, his wife, departed this life 
2ist of November, 1896, there were two sons born to them: Venior, who departed 
this life in infancy; Voris S.. who is 13 years old the 8th day of February'. He 
was united in marriage to Ada E. Casto, August 25, 1898, to this union five child- 
ren were born, four of wWich are now living, they reside in the town of Buck- 
hannon, W. Va. John E., my second son was united in marriage to Belle Wilson, 
February 14, 1889, to this union was born one son who died in infancy. Viola 
E., my oldest daughter was united in marriage to Charles W. Geyer, December 
29. 1887, to this union were born three daughters and one son, Gracie, Minnie, 
Nella, and Wm. E. Viola departed this life November 7, 1902. Charles W. 
departed this life July 28, 1905; Cora E., was united in marriage to Arthur G. 
Lorentz, December 31, 1891. Arthur G. Lorentz departed this life December 
28, 1901. Minnie L., was united in marriage to Clyde C. Reger, September, 
1898, they reside at Walkersville, Lewis County, W. Va. Wm. E. at home and 
engaged in the lumber business. Bertha M., at home, Mary M., died in infancy, 
Chesley G., at home. 

My father had one brother and two sisters, his brother, Hugh, spent the 
most of his life and raised a family in the State of Kentucky, and died in the city 



518 FAMILY HISTORY. 

of Cincinnati, Ohio. His sister Rachel, married Elisha Hudkins, who was 
raised in Barbour County, after their marriage they moved to Hancock County, 
111., where they raised a family of eight children, at that point they both departed 
this life. His other sister married James Shields, of near Bridgeport. Harrison 
County. W. \'a., they raised a family of two sons : they have both depaned this 
life. My grandfather on my mother's side, the family consisted of five children, 
viz: Elizabeth, who was connected in marriage to Isaac Paugh. of Barbour 
Countj-, where they lived and raised a family. Their daughter, \'irginia, was 
married to George Rymer, who lived and died in the County, their family con- 
sisted of three children, viz: Chesley, Morgan and Sarah ^Nlalinda my mother 
and my father's families names were as follows: Hugh, William, Jane, John, 
Laura, Milton D., James A., .\ndrew. Marj- E.. Rachel. Thomas J., and one boy 
which died in infancy. 

The above shows that my relationship in my own name is very limited, and 
outside of my father's family. 

Laura, mother's sister, was united in marriage to Josiah Peck. To this union 
were bom six sons and one daughter, two of the sons are doctors, Uvo are lawyers, 
one is a carpenter, one is a preacher in the S. M. Church, the daughter is mar- 
ried and lives in the town of Philippi. \V. ^"a., her mother is still living and 
resides with her daughter. 

My mother's brother, John Matheny .was united in marriage with 



and they raised a family consisting of two boys and one girl, their 
father and mother have both departed this life. 

XOAH SHERIDAX MESSMAX, bom Dec. 5. 1866, son of John H. Mess- 
man and Margaret A. Jack. His father volunteered in the Union Army March 15, 
1862, in the loth West \'irginia Inf. under Captain Ewing and served until the war 
closed. He is the grandson of John Messman. emigrant direct from Germany. 
His mother was the daughter of Thomas Jack, who came to L'pshur County from 
Pendleton County. He is a farmer and lumbemian. but takes time from both 
these occupations to have a lively interest in local politics and on account of his 
knowledge and interest has been Constable of Union District for twelve years. 
He married Margaret E. George, daughter of William George and Malissa 
Yeager of Barbour County on December 25, 1890. 

Children : Carrie Malissa and Columbus Howard. 

\MLLIE BURTOX MICK was bom June 29. 1869. Was married Feb- 
ruarv- 10, 1896. to Myrtle Lena Moore, who was bom :March. 1877, the daughter 
of James Moore of Crawford. 

W. B. Mick is a son of William E. Mick, who is a son of Walter and Hannah 
(Bailey) Mick. Walter Mick was a son of Charles Mick. His mother was the 
daughter of John Pickens, who was a son of James Pickens, who came to this 
countrj- at an early date and located near Duffy, known as the James Pickens' 
farm. 

The subject of this sketch is the son of Wm. E. Mick, who has been in the 
lumber business for 29 years, also a farmer and cattle raiser. At the end of the 
war he was without anjthing in the way of worldly goods and commenced busi* 
ness by making rails and raising tobacco and thus paying for his land. Willie 
B. Mick went into business with his father at the age of 21 years. He is equipped 
wi'h good machinery and personally looks after his business. As he ships the 
lumber he clears up the land, planting grass and grain. He also has an apple 
orchard of 600 trees and a peach orchard of 1,000 trees. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 519 

The children of Wm. E. Mick are: Willie B., Lora Ella, Isea Florence, 
Laurie Edward. 

Mr. Mick is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a Republican. 

The Mick familj' was originally from Germany. Three brothers came to 
America. John, Charles and the other's name imknown. John went to Pennsyl- 
\'ania. Charles to Turkey Rim. Upshur Count)-, and the other to some part of 
the West. On the mother's side of the Mick family the Bailey's are descendants 
of Minter Bailey. 

WORTH S. MICK, bom April ii, 1876, son of EUas and Amanda Rexroad 
and the grandscn of Charles C. Mick and Catherine Suder. 

Charles C. Mick and brother. Matthias, emigrated from Pendleton Count}- to 
this count}- many years ago, settling on the waters of Turkey Rim, where their 
descendant now lives. 

Charles C. Micks children were: William, Walter, Obediah, Elizabeth, 
Susanna. Lucinda and Mathias, all dead, and Mar\-, John, Solomon, Marion, 
CUntcn C, Hudson, Ehas S. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools, the Bums- 
ville Academy, Glenville State Normal, Normal and Classical Academy and 
Wesleyan Universit}-. He taught seven years and was elected County Superin- 
tendent. His term expires July i, 1907. 

JOHN W. MILES, a farmer and coal dealer of L'nion District, Postoflace, 
Reger. W. Va... was bom April 12. 1856. son of William Miles and Mar}- E. 
Pumphrey, the daughter of Lorenzo Dow Pumphrey and Annie \Mllong. the 
daughter of A. Wilfong. His father was a native of Wales and immigrated 
to -America, first settling in Penns}lvania, and then mo^-ing to Barbour 
Coimt}- and thence to L'pshur. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, 
and is a farmer, his wife was Cora Westfall, the daughter of Jasper N. Westfall 
and Jane Reese. Her lather was the son of Watson, the son of George, the son 
of Zachariah, the son of Jacob, the son of James Westfall, who built Westfall's 
fort in 1774. in Randolph Count}-. Mr. Miles owns thirty-seven acres of land, 
two miles east of Buckhannon. on the Be\erly and Buckhannon Turn Pike; is a 
Prohibitionist in politics and a member of the Church of Gtd in religion. He has 
been Justice of the Peace in L'nion District for six years. His children are: 
Bertha B.. Leslie R.. Edna. Paul. Grace and one infant dead. 

LEWIS H.AELRISON MILLER, of Jackson Count}-, now a student in the 
Wesleyan L'niversit}- of West Mrginia. Was bom Novemberig, 1890. His 
parents were Leander Miller and Jessie C Bennett) Harrison. His mother being 
the daughter of William H. and Catherine ^Harris) Harrison, both natives of 
Mason Coimt}-. His grandfather Harrison, claims to be a nephew of President 
Benjamin Harrison. His father has been a school teacher for thirty-three years, 
was educated at Athens L'niversit}-. He is now fanning. 

His brothers and sisters are, B. W., Blanche, Edith, Katie, Luella, Pauline 
and Tohn. 

C-ARRIE ilONTGOMERY, the widow of Marcellus Montgomen.-, the 
one time popular assessor of the Second District of L'pshur Count}-, is the 
daughter of Simon J. and Margaret ( Hazelden 1 Rohrbough. the granddaughter 
of Jacob Rohrbough and the great granddaughter of Anthony Rohrbough, who 
settled in the Buckhannon ^'aUey during the time of the Indian wars. 

The Rohrbough family is know-n throughout the Count}- for the religious 
views and practices and none of them so well known in Church work as the father 
of the subject of this sketch. 



520 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Children : Nola, Lelah, Charles J., Mamie, Clyde, Maud Annie and Carl. 

She owns a hundred and ten acres of good land near Hinkleville and knows 
well how to farm it. 

ISAAC A. MORGAN was born October 25, 1814, on French Creek, Va. 
His wife, Mandana Gould, was born March 12, 1820. They were married Octo- 
ber 30, 1838. To them were born, Harriet, Aladin, Louisa, Lydia E., Cecilia, 
Amy E., James B. Frantic, Ashley A., and Lucie. He was a farmer and a mem- 
ber of ihe French Creek Presbyterian Church. 

ASHLEY A. MORGAN, 'a farmer, was born June 6, 1858. Educated in 
the common school and took up fanning for his life's work. Married Rachel 
Landes, who was born January 27, 1863, August 16, 1882. 

Children: Nellie J., born October 21, 1883; Louie E., born November 18, 
1884; Merle M., born May 31, 1886; Julia E., born December 11, 1887; Ona L., 
born September 2, 1889; Isaac S., born April 30, 1891 ; George B., born Febru- 
ary 17, 1893; Anna D., born February 16, 1895; Ray L., born May 22, 1900. 

Mr. Morgan owns the old homestead and lives in a new house just con- 
structed on the site of his father's home. 

BRYANT TOLIVER MOORE, is a farmer, 67, years old, living near Holly 
Grove, and just where he settled when he first set up for himself, the present 
house, a two-story frame building, standing on the site of the original one- 
roomed, log house. 

At the age of 21, he was married to Sarah Frances Bartlett, who died in 
1875, leaving a family of six children. 

The husband devoted himself to the task of keeping his children together 
and rearing them withut a mother's care, and succeeded so well that all remained 
with h"m until they went out to establish homes of their own. 

The youngest son, Edward Arnold, died at the age of 18 years. The other 
two sons, Floyd L., and James E., are married and live near Holly Grove 

The oldest daughter. Flora A., is at home with her father. 

Mrs. Lizzie F. Carter, widow of the late Thomas A. Carter of Tallmansville, 
is a teacher in the Weston Schools. Mrs. Lucy H. Miles, whose home is at 
Weston, is the wife of William F. Miles, a B. '& O. R. R. Conductor. 

Mr. Moore was born in Farquier County, Va., but came with his parents, 
James Bryant and Elizabeth (Palmer) Moore to Harrison County, when but 
a child, and about the year 1856 they moved to the present site of the village of 
Holly Grove, then almost an unbroken forest. While a man of very limited 
education, Mr. Moore keeps pretty well posted on current events as he reads a 
great deal, and has always been interested in the cause of education. He was a 
member of the board of education of Banks District for twelve years and has 
been school trustee at different times, and has furnished two school teachers. 
His oldest daughter taught for 20 years, in the public schools of L^pshur County 
and his second daughter, who is still teaching has taught longer. 

Mr. Moore has been a life long Democrat and is a member of the Baptist 
Church. 

During the Civil War, he was one of the Militia who were captured by 
Rebel Forces and taken to Richmond, where he spent several months in prison, 
later was in Baltimore Hospital and afterwards brought home on a bed, and it 
has been frequently said by those who saw him, "He was the poorest person I 
ever saw." He has been almost an invalid ever since. 

OSCAR LEOPOLD MOORE, third son of George C. and Sarah A. Moore, 
born at Sago, six miles above Buckhannon on the Buckhannon River, November 
10, 1849. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 521 

Enlisted as a private soldier in Company M, Third West Virginia Cavalry, 
March 20, 1864. Was never at the dismounted camp, but served continuously 
with the mounted portion of his company. Was on the Lynchburg raid with 
Hunter; served in the Shenandoah Valley with Sheridan in 1864; went with 
General Custer from Winchester to Appomattox in 1865. 

Taught common schools at Indian Camp. Brushy Fork, Glady Fork, Center- 
ville. Oak Grove, Truby Run. Went to Dickinson County, Kansas in 1874, 
where he has since resided. Served one term as county attorney ; elected Judge 
of the Eighth Judicial District of Kansas, composed of Dickinson, Geary, Marion 
and Morris Counties, in November, 1895, and is now serving his third term as 
judge of said district. 

Has filled numerous offices in the state encampment of the G. A. R., was 
Judge Advocate of the National G. A. R. in 1905. 

Grandparents on mother's side were James Bunten and Fanny Morgan 
Bunten, she was a daughter of Zedekiah Morgan and Ruth Dart of Connecticut. 
Zedik'ah Morgan was an officer in Revolutionary War. He was son of James 
Morgan, son of Peter Morgan, son of Isaac, son of John, son of James, who came 
to America in 1807. 

O. L. Moore's wife was Ida Rhee Wilson, born in Ohio, married September 
19, 1883. in Adeline, Kansas. 

JOHN W. MORRISON, a farmer of Banks District, was born July 2, 1850, 
in Lewis County, his parents were David H. Morrison and Sarah Smith, and his 
grandparents were James Morrison and Mahala Peterson. 

The Morrison's are of English descent. He married Annie E. Martin, 
daughter of Josiah Martin and Keziah Vincent, the granddaughter of George W. 
Martin, and on the maternal side, the granddaughter of Enoch Vincent, on 
August 12, 1869, and to this union have been born eight children: Celia A., 
Einma E., Rosa L., Iva A., Calvin K., Carrie A., Ludia M., and Grace W., the 
two oldest are dead. 

His father was a Union Soldier, a member of Company B, loth West Vir- 
ginia Volunteer Infantry, and served in the army almost four years and was 
honorably discharged. His wife's father was also a Union soldier. He is a 
Methodist in religion having served as class leader for 35 years, was elected 
County Commissioner on the Republican ticket, and is now a Prohibitionist in 
politics. 

JEROME B. MORRISON, born April 22, 1841, the son of David and 
Helen (Shreve) Morrison. His first wife was Susan E. Heck of Botetourt 
County, Va., and to this union were born seven children, who were named: 
George, Esta Florence, Allen P., Earl, Annie and Frederick. 

Mr. Morrison was a blacksmith of Buckhannon Town for twenty-two 
years. Made a fortune at the anvil and spent it in land speculation in the West. 
He is now a blacksmith and farmer at the postoffice of Yokum. 

His second wife was Nettie Skidmore of Barbour County, daughter of 
Elijah Skidmore. 

MORGAN MORRISON, son of John Morrison and Susan Black, was a 
soldier in Company B, Tenth West Virginia Infantry. Has been twice married, 
Eliza Simon being the first and their children were: David and John. His 
second wife was Sarah (Abbott) Snyder, and their child is Rosa. 

He is a farmer near Frenchton, and a pensioner. 

HUGH MORISSETTE. son of William and Nellie Mary (McKinney) 
Morisette. Born March 7, 1881, at Piedmont, W. Va. Moved with parents to 



522 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Buckhannon twenty years ago. Worked at livery business and enlisted in Com- 
pany F, 2d West Virginia \'olunteer Infantry of Spanish-American Army. 
Volunteered at Weston under Captain Jackson Arnold ; mustered in at Charleston, 
W. \'a., and after seeing short service, took sick and was taken to a hospital in 
Baltimore, mustered out Februan,- 14, 1899. 

Married . 

O. A. MOSBY, son of R. H. Mosby and Mary Ann Anderson of Albermarle 
County, \^a., the grandson of Samuel Mosby and Marj' Scott of England and 
Irish descent respectively. His mother was the daughrer of William Lewis 
Anderson and Mary Ann Webb, both of English e.xtraction. 

The subject of this sketch, born August, 1847, '" Albermarle County, Va., 
came to Upshur in 1869, on his way west. He continued his western journey 
and lived on the plains for five years, at which time he returned to Upshur and in 
1875 married Cora E. Balsley, the daughter of Geo. W. Balsley and Margaret 
Alice Padgett, both of German descent and both settlers in Upshur County 
about 1852. Children number eight, four sons and four daughters, six of whom 
are now living: Lula, the oldest, is wife of Ed. J. Joyce of Pittsburg: Lena, the 
wife of Wade_H. Crum of Ohio ; Edward. Ray and Gay, twins, and Lilly. 

The subject of this sketch was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting in 
February 1863. as a member of ist Richmond Howitzers, Cabells Batallion of 
Artillery, of Stuarts Brigade and serv^ed with this Batallion from the time of his 
enlistment until the close of the war. 

He taught school in Upshur County several years after his return from the 
west in 1874. Farmed for many years after he quit the profession of teaching 
and then moved to Buckhannon to accept a position in the Giffin Planing Mill, 
where he worked for manv vears. 

JOSEPH E. MARKER, Life Insurance and Sales Agent. Bom October 
6, 1847, in Frederick County, \^irginia. Son of Elijah and Rachel (Snapp) 
Marker. Grandson of George and Margaret (Strosnyder) Marker. 

Emigrated from Mrginia in 1852 to Marion County. Moved to Grafton in 
1855, when only three houses were in the place. Followed saw milling, teaming 
and farming until thirty-one years old, went into dairy business, worked in the 
B. & O. Shops, moved to Buckhannon, 1892. in March. Was eight years in 
employ of the Farm Supply Company and T. B. Drummond and Company. 

Married Catherine \IcCormick, October 8. 1872. 

Children: Ernest B.. bom Julv 20, 1874; Waher C, bom June 30, 1876. 

CHARLES C. -MOUSER, a native of Preston County, born November 19, 
1876. The son of George M. Mouser and Cornelia Taylor. The Mousers are 
of Gemian extraction and the Taylors of Low Dutch. He was educated in the 
public schools of Preston County, whence he graduated and in the West Liberty 
State Xoraial and the West \'irginia University. Early in life he evidenced 
a desire for railroading and made himself handy about the depot at Newburg, 
his home, until he went away to school. After leaving the West Mrginia Uni- 
versity, he located at Alexandria in Upshur County, made himself proficient in 
Telegraphy and became agent and operator of the B. & O. R. R. at that point. 
He is also agent for the U. S. Express Co. 

He married Russie Lee Farrar in June 1902, and to them one child has been 
bom, Loris, born May 3, 1903. 

ALBERT MOWERY, born January 15, 1854. native of Harrison County, 
son of George Mowery and Mary ( Nutter) Mowery. In 1885 he went to Wash- 
ington State and engaged in the lumber business there ; came back in 1899 and 



FAMILY HISTORY. 523 

married Etta Dean on March 4, 1904, daughter of George Dean, whose wife was 
the daughter of Archibald Hinicle. By this union one child was born, January 
20, 1905 : died January 23, 1905. in the State of Washington. 

Mr. Mowery descends from a family of farmers and is a farmer. Owns 
sixty-two acres of the J. J. Reger farm on Brushy Fork. Is a Democrat. His 
grandfather must have been John Mowery of Washington District. 

His wife was bom January 4, 1883. 

AMOS GRANVILLE MUSGRA\'E, born December 16, 1856, on the 
Buckhannon River, north of the County Seat. His parents, Benjamin B. Mus- 
grave and Caroline Chipps emigrated from Monongalia County to Union Dis- 
trict about the year 1840. His grandfather, David Musgrave was drafted for 
the Army of 1812, but on account of his family was compelled to hire William 
Jones to take his place, this same William Jones afterwards became David Mus- 
grave's brother-in-bw. 

His great gn : ( frither was Elijah Musgrave an emigrant d'irect from 
Germany. 

On his mother's side, the genealogy is about as follows : Caroline Chipps 
was the daughter of Thomas P. Chipps and Sally Wright, who also came from 
Monongalia County in 1840. He was educated in the public schools of the 
County and taught for twelve years, he is now a fanner and merchant at Hin- 
kle. L'pshur County. He married R. J. Neel of Ritchie County, April 12, 1881. 
His wife's parents were Marshall Neel and Charlotte Willard of Harrison 
County. 

Children : Isa, Xola, Iva, Ada Gertrude, and Alta Neel. 

D. S. MUSGRA\'"E, a farmer of Union District, was bom October 29, 1848, 
in Monongalia County, son of John S. Musgrave and Elizabeth Steel, grandson 
of David B. Musgrave and Mary Jones, great grandson of Elijah Musgrave and 
Bashebah, his wife. His mother was a daughter of John Steel and Xancy Bowen, 
his grandmother was the daughter of Benjamin Jones. The subject of this 
sketch was married March 23, 1871, to Mary E. Bolden and their children were: 
Samuel T., John W'., Julia E., Leroy J., Lot A., Sarah and Elmira, the three 
daughters are now dead. His wife was a daughter of William Bolden and Julia 
Hamilton, and the granddaughter of Nelson and Sarah Bolden. His grand- 
father was drafted in the war of 1812 and William, his brother-in-law, and 
single, took his place. His wife died October, 1881. October 25, igoo, he mar- 
ried Rachel Pain'er. widow of William Painter of Upshur County, she was the 
daughter of Benjamin Winans and Catherine Simons, the daughter of Benjamin 
Simons. She was born January 14, 1841, married in 1863 to William Painter, 
who died in 1894. 

"JED" NAY. a native of Harrison Coilnty, born March 10, 1832. He 
follows farming and the stone mason business. His parents were James Nay 
and Sarah Haggerty and his grandfather was Benjamin Nay of Dutch descent. 
March 24, 1859, he married the daughter of Hezekiah Joffle and Nancy Buc- 
hanan, who was the son of James Joffle and Mary Lockwood, an emigrant from 
Ireland, and he first moved from Harrison County to Ritchie, where he lived until 
after his ser^^ice in the Civil War in Company H, of the ist West Virginia Infan- 
try, under H. Bowers, Thomas Reed, etc., as Captains. His company was in the 
battles of Rapidan. Winchester, and Bull Run. From Ritchie County he moved 
back to Harrison and then to L'pshur. where he has since lived. Children : 
Nancy C, born November 29, 1859: James N., born April 29, 1861 ; Martha M., 
born December 9, 1863; Louisa and Eliza, twins, born November 18. 1865; Mar)' 



524 FAMILY HISTORY. 

D., born January 5, 1868; Hezekiah E., bom April 6, 1869; John A., bom 
November, 1870; Adda M., born May 16, 1872; Maggie B., born May 3, 1874; 
Amos B., bom August 24, 1875; Ettie F., born March 19, 1877; Robert C, bom 
September 6, 1878; Joseph, born February 23, 1880; Elsie, born 1882, and 
Sarah T., born September 30, 1883. 

Mrs. Nay's christian name is Juliet. 

The subject of this sketch owns a hundred and four acres of land on the 
Staunton and Parkersburg Turn Pike Road, nine miles east of Buckhannon and 
commonly known as Moss Hill. 

He had four brothers in the Union Army; James, Alfred, Lemuel and John, 
who died at Clarksburg and he has five sisters all married. 

This family have ten of their children as members of the M. P. Church, 
have twenty-four grandchildren and the -two youngest sons are citizens of 
Oklahoma State. 

ORD MARKWOOD NEELEY, a lumber inspector, now merchant at Flat- 
woods, was born February 21, 1874, at Hinkleville. His parents were Anthony 
and Annie Roach Neely. His father and his grandfather, Jacob Roacii, were sol- 
diers in the Union Army. His grandfather, David Neeley, immigrated to Upshur 
County before the Civil War, settling near Hinkleville. 

Ord M. waS educated in the common schools of the County. Was raised 
on a farm. 

Married Edna Bernice Stalnaker, August 8, 1906. Her parents were S. 
Wise Stalnaker, a merchant of Flat Woods, Braxton County, and Dora Pickens 
of Braxton County. 

He now lives in Braxton County. 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF HENRY NEFF. I was born February 2, 1825, 
on the head of Muddy Creek, in Rockingham County, Virginia. My great 
grandfather, Dr. John Henry Neff was a native of Switzerland, he first settled 
in Pennsylvania, and afterwards near New Market, on the Little Shenandoah 
River in Shenandoah County, Virginia, where he raised a family of sons and 
daughters; he, himself, one of his sons, Jacob Neff (my grandfather) and one of 
his sons, and David Neff, one of the latter's sons, Jacob Neff, were practicing 
physicians ; all lived and died near New Market in the same county. 

My father in the year 1804. married Barbara Burkholder, a daughter of 
Jacob Burkholder, a Pennsylvania German living then in Rockingham County, 
Va., and settled in the county of Rockingham and to them were born twelve child- 
ren and raised of the twelve, eleven of which I was the youngest, and there are 
but two of us living at this time. My father was a farmer and raised all of his 
children on a farm on the head of Muddy Creek in the same county of 
Rockingham. 

In September 1847, ^' with my brother Jacob moved to and settled on a farm, 
now owned by Lafayette Hinkle, then Barbour County, but now in this, Upshur 
County. In the monih of May 1848, I married Mary Catherine Reynolds, eldest 
daughter of Watson R., and Sallie Reynolds and to us were born nine children 
and eight of them lived to be grown. The oldest was Joseph B. Neff, a printer 
by trade and now dead ; John W. Neff, now in Morgantown, W. Va., and a car- 
penter by trade; Robert K., Neff, now of Buckhannon and a painter; Sarah Vic- 
toria died at the age of fifteen; Mary S. E. Neff. now the wife of F. B. Pierce 
of Buckhannon ; Emma E., the widow of Phillip Rollins, now living in Buckhan- 
non ; Sallie V., yet single ; and Watson H., painter by occupation, living in Buck- 
hannon and married to Minnie F. Hinkle. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 525 

During my life, I have lived at different places besides this county, viz: 
Taylor and Gilmer Counties. I was at the first Court held in this County . Was 
for several years Postmaster at Peck's Run, this County. Was enumerator of 
the Census in 1880, and, also in 1890. 

Taught school in Upshur, Barbour and Gilmer Counties, for nearly twenty- 
five years. 

.\nd I have been a member of the U. B. Church for nearly fifty-nine years. 
MARY ELIZABETH NEFF, daughter of Alexander and Margaret 
(Thomas) Riggs, born December 16, 1847, in Monongalia County, married 
Thomas H. B. Neff, a blacksmith, November 15, 1866. Mr. Neff having served 
his country in Company I, Third West Virginia Cavalry, under Captains G. E. 
Anderson and Geo. A. Sexton. 

Children, Benton J., wife, Lesta Love, lives in Colorado; Sarah Margaret 
widow, with two children; John B., wife, Bertha Jenkins; Minnie A., wife of 
Ralph Smith ; Thomas L., and Jessie E., single. 

ROBERT KNELL NEFF, painter and contractor. Was born at Fetter- 
man, Taylor County, April 10, 1855. Parents: Henry and Mary Catherine 
(Reynolds) Neff. Fourth of a family of nine. He was a painter for 22 years 
in Buckhannon. 

He married Angielina Rollins, daughter of Lemuel and Elizabeth (Reese) 
Rollins. He has been a member of the United Brethren Church in Christ for 
32 years. 

' Child : Stein Bovey, born May 29, 1886. 
MESHACH A. NETHKEN, native of Maryland, born in Garrett County, 
February 2, 1845, and married Sarah A. Spiker, of the same county. 

Was a soldier in the Civil War, Company K, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry. 
Came to West Virginia in 1878. 

Children: W. F., Mary F., Ruben R., R. H., Jennie V., Albert T., and Abel 
S., twins, Lloyd J., private in United States Marines, August, 1904, enlisted for 
four years ; Celia, Lucetta, Dora J., and Meshach A. 

Meshach A. Nethken was a private in Capt. S. T. Griffith's company, Penn- 
sylvania Six Months' Volunteer Infantry, was enrolled on July 22, 1863, at Pitts- 
burg, Pa., and discharged at the same place on January 29, 1864. He re-enlisted 
as a private in Capt. William H. Collin's Company K, 7th Pennsylvania Volun- 
teer Cavalry, enrolled on the 25th day of February, 1864, at Pittsbu'g, Pa., and 
was mustered out at Macon, Ga., August 23, 1865, and paid up in full at Har- 
risburg, Pa., September 5, 1865. Was a soldier that followed General Sherman 
to the sea. was under Generals Thomas, Kilpatrick and Wilson. His brigade 
captured Jefferson Davis. 

He is a farmer of Banks Distsict and an influential member of the Goshen 
Dunkard Church. 

CHARLES F. NEWLON. a merchant and farmer of Swamp Run, W. Va., 
was born July 14, 1872, is a native of Barbour County, son of Burr P. Newlon and 
Sally A. Lake, a daughter of Harrison Lake and a granddaughter of William 
Lake, Jr., and great granddaughter of William and Mary (Asbury) Lake, who 
were married in 1768, and settled in Taylor Cunty, and a great, great grand- 
daughter of Stephen Lake, an emigrant from England. He married Lucy W. 
Crites, January 10, 1897, his wife was the daughter of James D. Crites and Vir- 
ginia Wentz, the daughter of James W. Wentz and Lucy Catherine Harris, the 
granddaughter of John Wentz, who was the son of William, Jr., who was the 
son of William, Sr., who was the son of Warren, who emigrated from Germany 



526 FAMILY HISTORY. 

to America, in 1774, and who served in the German Army seven years and in the 
American Army seven more years. James D. Crites was a son of Abraham Crites 
and Wealthy Pringle, daughter of WilHam Pringle. 

Children of the subject of this sketch: William O., Sally V., Odus Magdaline 
and James Floyd. 

ELZA NIXON, born June 2, 1855. Son of Jesse B. Nixon, who was one of 
the Militia captured at Rock Cave, paroled, sent to Richmond and died in 
Baltimore. 

His wife was Lucy Dodd, daughter of Elza Dodd. Her father and mother 
were natives of Marion County. 

The Nixon were early settlers of Banks District, Upshur County. 

Jesse B. Nixon had eight children, of which the subject of this sketch is the 
fourth child. 

Elza Nixon married Harriet Crites, the daughter of Abram Crites and 
Becca Ann Crites. Her mother was Wealthy Pringle, daughter of William, son 
of Samuel Pringle of Sycamore Tree. 

Children : Lloyd, married Lottie Johnson ; Ida, Claud, Charley, Sam, Cora, 
Upton, Edda, John. Parley, Lucy. 

Mrs. Nixon has a spinning wheel descended from Samuel Pringle. 

A4r. Nixon is a farmer of Banks District, owns a farm of 68 acres. Is a 
Republican in politics. 

RACHEL NORMAN, wife of Franklin Norman, daughter of James and 
Elizabeth (Stuart) Carson, of Gilmer County. Born March 26, 1875. 

Her husband, a tanner, has been an employee of the William Flaccus 
Oak and Leather Company since 1893. 

Children : Rhoda Frances, born May 25, 1898 ; Charles Earle, born September 
10, 1902; Lena Gertrude, born September 16, 1904. 

WILLIS NORVELL. son of Thomas A. Norvell and Ellen Bean, the daugh- 
ter of Andrew Bean, the grandson of Seneca Norvell of Albermarle County, Va., 
and Mary Prear, and their children were four in number, Thomas Abner, who was 
postmaster at Sago thirty years ; Susan, the wife of Clark Cutright ; Saphrona, 
wife of Benjamin Tallman. In the Abner Norvell family were four sons and 
three daughters : Roena, wife of Andrew G. Ours : Edgar W., married Ida Hiner, 
Salina, Warren, who married Willa Ann Wingfield ; Anna L., wife of Henry Ours, 
Burnum, married Marietta M. Westfall. and Willis. The subject of this sketch 
was educated in the public schools of Upshur, took a business course in the 
Mountain State Business College and for several years has been working for 
Fairmont Coal Company. 

WILLIAM SMITH O'BRIEN was born in Barbour County, West Vir- 
ginia, January 8, 1862, and is a son of General Emmet Jones O'Brien and Martha 
Ann O'Brien. General Emmet J. O'Brien was of Irish and English descent. 
His father, Daniel O'Brien, was born in County Clare, Ireland, and was a descen- 
dant of two branches of the O'Brien family, his father's name being Daniel 
O'Brien and his mother's name Mary O'Brien. His mother, Hannah Norris 
O'Brien was a daughter of John Norris, of Lewis County. Va., now West Vir- 
ginia, and a descendant of the Norris and Jones families of Farquier County, Va., 
General O'Brien died at his home, near Weston, in the year 1887. Martha Ann 
O'Brien, the mother of William Smith O'Brien, was a daughter of Jonathan Hall 
of Lewis County, and a descendant of the Regers and Halls of Upshur County. 
Her mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Reger. a daughter of Abram Reger, 
Sr., who was one of the eleven children of Jacob Rcgcr. who settled on the Buck- 



FAMILY HISTORY. 527 

hannon River, near Burnersville, about the year 1776. For further information 
as to the Reger family, reference is is here made to the sketch by Mrs. L. E. A. 
Heavner. Jonathan Hall was of English descent, his father's name was Joseph 
Hall, who settled at an early day on Peck's Run, of Upshur County, and married 
Ann Strange, whose first husband was named Martin, her maiden name being Ann 
Hitt. She was a French Huegunot, originally from Virginia. Among Ann 
Hitt's descendants, the Martins, Stranges and Halls, are numbered some of the 
most noted preachers of Methodism, and stable business and professional "men in 
this and many of the western states. 

Willigim Smith O'Brien is one of four children, viz : Lieutenant Alonzo Lee, 
of the United States Cavalry, now dead ; Captain Daniel U., an officer in the late 
war with Spain, now a prominent farmer and grazier of Glenville, W. Va. ; 
Mary Lillian, the wife of Hon. William M. Arnold, stock dealer of Keyser, Roane 
County, W. Va. ; and William Smith, the subject of this sketch. When William 
Smith O'Brien was quite young, his parents moved from Barbour County, W. Va., 
to Weston, Lewis County, where he grew to manhood. He passed his early life 
in working on the farm, in brick yards, and on public works, and in acquiring an 
education. He attended the West Virginia University for a few terms In the 
early '8o's. He taught in the public schools of Lewis County for thirteen years. 
While engaged in teaching, he commenced the study of the law, secured his books 
and received instructions from the late Hon. John Brannon, of Weston, then one 
of the most able and distinguished lawyers and jurists of the state. He graduated 
in the law at the West Virginia University in 1891, having the degree of Bachelor 
of Laws conferred upon him. He located at Buckhannon for the practice of his 
profession in 1892. He was commissioned Captain in the West Virginia Militia 
about the year 1893. 

In 1896 he was united in marriage with Emma White, eldest daughter of A. 
P. White and Mary Fetty White. A. P. White is a prominent farmer and grazier 
of Camden, Lewis County, W. Va., is of Scotch-Irish descent, and is of the White 
family of Maryland and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. His mother's 
name was Jackson, an aunt of Stonewall Jackson. The writer is not acquainted 
with the lineage of Mary Fetty White, except that her immediate ancestors, the 
Carmacks and Fettys are well known and respected in Lewis County, of this state. 

William Smith O'Brien and Emma White O'Brien have four children, Perry 
Emmet ; Daniel Pitt ; Mary Martha ; and William. 

In 1903, William Smith O'Brien and Hon. William Talbot, one of the most 
prominent lawyers of Upshur County, formed a partnership in the law, under the 
firm name of Talbot & O'Brien. This firm was acquiring a lucrative practice 
among a reliable and stable clientage, until it was dissolved on February 21, 1907, 
by the death of the senior member, Mr. Talbot, who died at Charleston, W. Va.. 
while serving as senior State Senator from the Thirteenth Senatorial District. 

William Smith O'Brien is identified with the business development of Buck- 
hannon, and has been a Director of the Peoples Bank of West Virginia since its 
formation. In politics he is a Democrat, in religion a Methodist Episcopal. He is 
a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. 

ALONZA CLAY OGDEN, was born April 14, 1869. Was married July 
28, 1893, to Emma E. Morrison, who was born in 1872. 

Children : Esker. who died in infancy ; Drews Anna, William Audra, Iva 
May. 

Mr. Ogden married for his second wife, on October 26, 1904, Martha Olive 
McClain, the daughter of James and Octave (Childress) McClain. Child: 



528 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Orville Childress McClain. Mrs. McClain is a daughter of Rev. WilHam Child- 
ress, who was one of the first settlers of Straight Fork Country, and one of the 
founders of the church at that place. He was born August 26, 1819, and married 
Martha Jane Farrell, January 27, 1840. He emigrated from Virginia in 1845, 
when he bought 100 acres of land in the woods and cleared it. His children are 
Julia G., Octave W., Melville P., Martha S., Mary A. Catherine W., William S., 
Jessie ,L., Ida May, Benjamin F., Olin A., Porter L. 

Mr. Childress was a minister in the M. E. Church for thirty-five years, and 
one of the charter members of Straight Fork Church. He was the son of William 
and Susanna (GofT) Childress. 

The subject of this sketch is the owner of the farm known as the James 
Curry farm, on French Creek, where he lives. He is also engaged in the lumber 
business. He is a Baptist in religion and a Republican in politics. 

ELMORE OSBORNE, born in Harrison County, April 15, 1839, the son of 
Wilson Osborne and the grandson of Joseph Osborne of Virginia. His mother's 
maiden name was Susanna Starcher, the daughter of John Starcher and his 
grandmother's maiden name was Romine. 

Wilson Osborne had seven children, two daughters and five sons. On 
October 10, 1866, he married Eliza E. Wingfield, the daughter of Robert. 

She was born October 11, 1850, and died November 20, 1902. To this union 
were born: Sarah Jane, December 11, 1868, the wife of George Tenney ; Van 
Buren, September 5, 1870, and married Gertie Talbot; Susanna, June 18, 1872, the 
wife of W. H. Matthew; Chesley, March 4, 1874, married Vertie Hornbeck; 
Melvina, March 7, 1877, wife of Austin J. Smith; Emma M., February 18, 1882; 
Ellet W., January 18, 1884; Hettie F., January 22. 1888, wife of James H. 
Shockey. 

His second wife was Mary Zickefoose, the daughter of Henry and Barbara 
(Simmons) Zickefoose. Barbara Simmons was a daughter of George Simmons. 
Mrs. Osborne was one of fourteen children, her brothers and sisters being : Peter, 
Emanuel, Malinda, Lucinda, Anna, Amos, Hanson, Sampson, George W., Pricilla, 
Elias, Mary, and two dead. 

On January 10, 1907, he married Mary Burner. 

Mr. Osborne descends from one of the oldest families on the waters of 
the Middle Fork River. All of his ancestors for generations back have been 
farmers and so is he. He owns 224 acres of land and keeps it in a good state 
of cultivation. 

MANDEVILLE J. OSBORNE, was born in 1857, his father, Acquilla Os- 
borne, soldier in Company M, 3d West Virginia Cavalry, was a farmer. His 
mother was Margaret McCauley. He was raised on a farm and is a farmer. 
Married Sarah E. Cutright, daughter of Isaac and Barbara (Lanham) Cutright. 

Children: Jennie, Lanie L., Charles Ray, Wilbert Arthur and Ethel Meryl. 

VAN BUREN OSBURN, born September 5, 1870. Son of Elmore and 
Eliza (Wingfield) Osburn, daughter of Robt. Wingfield. Grandparents of Mr. 
Osburn were Wilson Osburn and Susan Starcher. 

The subject of this sketch is the eldest child of a family of eight. Is a farmer 
of Union District, owns 215 acres of land. 

Married Jessie G. Talbot, daughter of Elisha Talbot and they have one 
child, Berta Dove, born August 22, 1905. 

Mrs. Osburn is connected with the Talbot family of Barbour County, can 
trace her ancestry back to Wm. Talbot of England. 

Mr. Osburn is a Democrat in politics. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 529 

ANDREW GRANVILLE OURS. Deputy Sheriff and Jailer of Upshur 
County. Born March 3, 1861. Son of Mearbeck and Martha J. (Bryan) Ours. 
Was educated in the public schools and the French Creek Institute at French 
Creek. Taught for a year or two and went to farming near Sago, where he still 
owns a farm of 75 acres and gives it somewhat of his time and attention, as he 
can spare from the duties of his offices. 

November 24, 1881, he married Rowena C, the daughter of Abner and Ellen 
(Bean) Norvell and the granddaughter of Andrew Bean. Their children are: 
Parley Winfred, born August 13, 1883, was educated in the public schools and the 
Mountain State Business College at Parkersburg ; Frank Maerbeck, born August 
14, 1887, took his preliminary course in education in the public schools of Buck- 
hannon and is now completing his course in Telegraphy and Bookkeeping at the 
West Virginia Wesleyan College ; Georgia, bom July 30, 1893, died January 3, 
1907, aged 13 years, 5 months and 3 days. 

HENRY FRANKLIN OURS, Sheriff of Upshur County, 1905-1909, was 
born November 29, 1864, near Sago unto Maerbeck and Martha J. (Bryan) Ours. 
Being the youngest son, some considerable attention was given to his education in 
the public schools and the Norma! and Classical Academy at Buckhannon. He 
began the teaching of school, which profession he followed without cessation for 
15 years. All of his schools gave such satisfaction from the first that he had to 
pay but one board bill in all these years. He always taught near home. For two 
years was a member of the board of examiners of Upshur County. 

Upon ceasing his profession of teaching, he became clerk for J. N. Berthy 
& Co., A. G. Giffin, Isherwood & Cody, PhiUips, Snyder & Co., and A. W. Tenny 
& Son, and agent for the B. & O. Railroad Company, the last of whom was serv- 
ing when elected sheriff of Upshur. 

He has been very active in politics from young manhood, was a member of 
the Republican Executive Committee of Upshur County for 12 years and chair- 
man of the same for one term. September 23, he married Anna L. Norvell, 
daughter of Abner Norvell and their children are: Ora L., William McKinley, 
Henry, Maurice and Mary. He owns a farm of 53 acres on the Buckhannon 
River and real estate in the town of Buckhannon. 

HENRY OURS, SR., married Sarah Strader and their children were: Mary, 

the wife of Lynch and Anthony Reger ; John, who married Druzilla 

Hess, daughter of Peter Hess ; Jacob, whose wives were, Rebecca Casto and 
Malinda Radabaugh. Abraham, whose, wife was Rebecca Radabaugh, daughter 
of Benjamin Radabaugh ; Isaac, who married Rhcda Casto : Elizabeth, the wife of 
David Little ; Simon, who married a daughter of Samuel Carr, by the name of 
Mariah Rebecca: George W., who married Sarah, daughter of Ralph H. Field, 
Barbara, wife of John Miller and Henry Jr., who married, R. H. Field and 
Mildred Wood's daughter Almira. 

JAMES HOWARD OURS, born May 18, i860, son of Henry Ours, Jr., 
and Almira Field. He was the only son in the family of four, his sisters being, 
Ida B., wife of D. L. Caynor, and Maggie and Josephine C, the eldest, (died in 
infancy). 

He was raised on a farm a short distance east of Buckhannon, was educated 
in the public school and private normal, conducted in the county, and at the age 
of twenty began the profession of teaching, which he pursued continuously for 
twenty years or until 1898, when he retired to the farm of his father to make his 
parents' old age pleasant and comfortable. His father was a wagoner during the 
Civil War. 



530 FAMILY HISTORY. 

His great grandfather was Cichman Ours, a revolutinary soldier, who moved 
to the Buckhannon settlement about the time of the murder of the Bozarth family, 
near Lorentz and his sons John Ours, Nicholas Ours, Sr., and Henrj- Ours, Sr.. 
were among the first residents and settlers in the Buckhannon Valley. His grand- 
father was a soldier in the war of 1812. 

MARTIX .MONROE OURS, bom September 1 1, 1854. Son of Jacob Ours 
and Malinda Radabaugh, daughter of Jacob Radabaugh. He is a fanner of 
Buckhannon District, owning forty acres of land on the waters of Stone Coal. 
He is a lumber dealer. His wife was the daughter of Elijah Hjtc and Peggj' 
Loudin and their children are: Ora Grace. Hugh. Harrison Dovle, William and 
Glenn. 

THADDEUS OURS, son of Nicholas Ours and Mar>' Strader, daughter of 
John Strader, Jr., and Rebecca Radabaugh. John Strader, Jr., was son of John 
Strader, Sr., whose wife's maiden name was Post. Nicholas Ours, Jr., was son 
of Nicholas Ours, Sr., and Avis Tenney, the daughter of James Termey, and 
Nicholas Ours, Sr., was son of Nicholas and Nancy Ours. 

The subject of this sketch was raised a farmer, a miller and lumberman, and 
follows any or all of them. He owns fifty acres of land on the Buckhannon River, 
near the Postoffice of Nixon, which he founded and named and has been its Post- 
master ever since. 

He was bom November 24, 1863. 

ASA D. PAGE is a farmer and lumberman of Meade District. Was bom 
November 22. 1863. Son of Frank and Martha (Young) Page and the grandson 
of Joel Page of Virginia. His mother was the daughter of Gilbert Young and 
Aman.-llis Barrett. 

The subject of this sketch owns a farm of 200 acres of improved land on the 
Buckhannon and Walkersville Turn Pike, near French Creek. 

He is a Presbyterian in religion and a Prohibition Republican in politics. 
His business success has been above the average. 

CHARLES C. PAGE was bom April 11, 1865, son of Frank Page and 
grandson of Joel Page. His mother, who was formerly Martha Young, the 
daughter of Gilbert Young, was related to the Barretts, who moved to this County 
from Massachusetts. 

The subject of this sketch began life for himself at the youthful age of 
twelve and soon thereafter ser\-ed as an apprentice of Bodkin and Fidler, black- 
smiths at Bumsville, Braxton Count}-. \\'hen he was seventeen years old he 
opened up a shop for himself at French Creek, where he still does work. His 
business was successful and encouraged him to undertake additional work. He is 
also an undertaker and dealer in furniture at French Creek and the property 
which he owns indicates that he has succeeded in ever}- enterprise of life. 

On March 10, 1886, he married Ella G. Armstrong, bom January 6, 1863. 
To this imion have been bom two sons. John Frank and Charles Loy, both of 
whom are at home assisting their father in business. 

CHARLES L. PERRY comes from New England stock, his grandfather, 
Elias Perry, having emigrated from ]^Iassachusetts. to what is now Upshur Count>- 
in 1816. His parents were Edwin Perr\- and Mariah Thomas, daughter of John 
S. Thomas and his birth occurred ^larch 3. 1861. He was raised on a farm, 
received his education at the winter schools conducted in his neighborhood, and 
went to farming in young manhood. He owns fifty-seven acres of land near 
Gould. He married Mar\- B. Riggleman, daughter of John Riggleman. Child- 
ren: Lucy, wife of Arthur Brake, Lora. wife of Pearl Snyder. Frank, Mar\'in, 
Rav, Fanny and Leslie. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 531 

JESSE H. PHARES of Carrington, N. D., was bom in Webster County, on 
Elk River, February 13, 1861. His parents, John and Cynthia Wood Phares, 
moved to Upshur County in 1873. where Jessie lived until he went to North 
Dakota in 1890. He owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable 
grain land. Is a Dunkard in religion and a Democrat in politics. 

His first wife, was Celia McCann, daughter of Squire B. McCann and their 
children were William Wesley and Celia Frances. His second wife was Etta 
Hollen. daughter of Zebediah Hollen. 

ERNEST PHILLIPS, lumberman, was bom November 5, 1872, on Laurel 
Fork of French Creek, son of Burton Phillips, who was the son of Horace, who 
was the son of David, who came from Massachusetts in 1815. His father was a 
soldier in Company E. First Regiment Light Artillery, Captain A. C. Moore, he 
was crippled at the battle of Snicks Gap. July 18. 1863, which disability had much 
to do with his death which occurred September 19, 1893. The subject of the 
sketch being the oldest child, in a family of six, much responsibility fell upon him, 
after his father's death which he met and discharged with efficiency and joy. For 
thirteen years he has been in the lumber business and has taken time to look after 
the Sons of \"eteran Camp. C. B. See No. 38 at French Creek, was made Lieu- 
tenant of that camp and promoted to Adjutant of the West Virginia division. He 
married Hattie E. McCoy, daughter of Chapman McCoy and Mariah Douglass, 
July 2, 1903. 

JOHN P. PHILLIPS, son of Richard Phillips, lived near French Creek 
until 1889. when he moved to Oklahoma and there died on March 20. 1891. His 
first wife was Man*' Hutchinson, who died in 1S61. Their children were: Eliza 
F., wife of I. Cutright; Columbia B.. wife of Dr. P. Rogers of Oklahoma City 
and \'ictoria F., the wife of George Rodahouser, and now the wife of M. L. 
Crane of Terra Alta. W. Va. His second wife, was Ellen Ryan, and their 
children were : Lou V.. the first wife of C. L. Meams, and Porter who now lives 
with his mother in Oklahoma Cit>-. 

LOTHROP PHILLIPS, born October 19. 1836. The first white child bom 
on the waters of Laurel Fork of French Creek, son of William Phillips, the oldest 
son of David Phillips. His mother was Mehitable, a daughter of Aaron Gould, 
Sr., and she gave birth to sixteen children, ten sons and six daughters, of which 
two sons and one daughter are now living. William Phillip's children were: 
Franklin, who married Fanny Shurtliflf. the widow of Amandus Young: David, 
who married Esther Gould, daughter of Nathan Gould. Jr. : Clara Ann, wife of 
Jason Loomis : Lafayette, soldier in Company E. 3d West Virginia Infantry, 
married Elizabeth Cogar of Braxton County ; Lyda Jane, wife of Samuel Knisley, 
a soldier in Company F. loth West \'irginia Infantry ; Mortimer, soldier m Illi- 
nois Company ; ^loselle. wife of Mr. Lowe of Braxton Count}' : Herbert, soldier in 
Company E. died at Bell Island, married Mar}- Carter, wife of Mirandus Rexroad, 
soldier in Company A, loth West Virginia Infantn,-: Goodman G., soldier, who 
died at home with fever. September 6. 1861 : James S., soldier in Company E, 3d 
West \'irginia Infantry, killed at Cross Keys. \^a. : Lothrop. who enlisted at Buck- 
hannon. 1862, in Company 3. ist West \^irginia Light Artillery, was in the 
Buckhannon fight and was discharged soon afterwards for a disability. He re- 
enlisted in the ist West Mrginia Cavaln.- under Captain Hagans. He was never 
wounded and was mustered out at Wheeling. 

His ;irst wife was Charlotte Bean, daughter of Andrew and Nellie (Roberts) 
Bean of Hampshire County, and their children were : James, dead ; Florence May, 
wife of \^^ P. Newcome: Cornelia, single: Rosetta, wife of John B. Lemmons; 



532 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Ida Bell, wife of Charles McFallin; William Sherman, married Mary Loudin ; 
Ellen, wife of William H. Ochiltree ; Scott, married CjTida Cogar. 

His second wife was Susan A. Krise, daughter of Jacob Krise of Albermarle 
County, Va. 

Mr. Phillips until 1904, lived in Meade District. Is now a resident of Buck- 
hannon. Draws a good pension for palsy. 

NANCY R. PHILLIPS, daughter of George and Barbara (Miller) Bodkins, 
bom in Bath County, \'a., August 28. 1844." Her parents moved to Upshur 
County in 1854, where she has lived since. Married Simeon Phillips, a soldier 
in Company E. Infantry 3d W'est \'irginia. under Captain S. B. Phillips, and to 
them was born one child. Celia. the wife of Arthur Reese. 

Mr. Phillips's first wife was Bebecca Loudin and their children were: Ord. 
Henry. U. Kester, Clark ^\'.. Cora, wife of \\'. E. Hammer and Minta, wife of 
Hugh Famsworth. 

^ SPENCER PHILLIPS, bom July 30, 1842, on the waters of French Creek, 
son of Ebenezer and Catherine Loudin Phillips. His mother was a daughter 
of William Loudin, whose wife was a Miss Davis of Loudin County, ^'a. His 
father was the fifth son of David Phillips. Sr., who moved from Massachusetts 
here in an ox cart in 1815, and was overseer of the poor for 20 years prior to his 
death. Ebenezer had a family of seven children : George, soldier in Company E, 
3d \\'est Mrginia Infantry and 5th and 6th U. S. Cavalry, had two wives, Olive 
Reed and Estelle Young: Martha, wife of Caswell E. Brady; Melissa, wife of 
John Calvin Brady; Elijah, married Margaret Bond, he was a soldier in Company 
C, 6th ^^■est \"irginia Cavaln,- and died at Grafton : Sally Ann. wife of Leonard 
Rexroad. soldier in Company E, 3d West Virginia Infantry, and 5th and 6th 
West Virginia Cavalry, died at sea, after release from prison : Louise, wife of 
Elias Perry; Spencer enlisted May i, 1861. at French Creek, was one of the first 
volunteers enlisted in Company E. as drummer. Mustered in at Clarksburg. June 
2"/. 1861. Was wounded at Beverly. Served with Company E till February 29, 
1S64, when he re-enlisred as a veteran in the V. S. Amiy \'olunteers. His com- 
pany was de" ailed to assist in hunting and capturing John W. Booth, the assassin 
of Lincoln ; June 1S65, was ordered to Wheeling to be mustered out and went from 
there to Fort Leavenworth. Kan., thence to Fort Kearney. Neb., to protect frontiers 
from Indians. Was discharged October 15, 1865, and has been drawing a pension 
ever since. 

Otcober 8. 1869, he married Virginia M. Fidler, a daughter of William 
Fidler. Has been a resident of Salem. Harrison County, eight years, now a resi- 
dent of Buckhannon. Was Major of Nat. G. A. R. Musicians, member of G. A. 
R. at Garfield Post. Rock Cave. C. B. C. Post. French Creek and the Buckhannon 
Post, No. 49. Is a member of the the State Musicians of G. .\. R. and is proud of 
the fact that his e^randfather sent 20 sons and grandsons for the L'nion Annv. 

WALTER PHILLIPS, son of Richard and Eliza (Perry) Phillips, grandson 
of David Phillips, emigrant from Massachusetts. Born September 16. 1834. at 
French Creek. Raised on a farm to which vocation he was greatly devoted and 
pursued more or less throughout his life. Was educated in the schools of his 
community, where his parents lived, and in young manhood took up Cabinet 
making and house building for a livelihood, which pursuit he followed until the 
outbreak of the Civil War. when he enlisted with Company E. Third West 
Virginia Infantry under Captain S. B. Phillips, and remained with that Company 
until 1863, when on account of bad health he resigned and returned home. Soon 
his health became better and he raised the Company of State Militia, and was 



FAMILY HISTORY. 533 

Captain of the same. For twenty-five years after the ending of the war, he was 
energetically engaged in the mercantile business at French Creek, he succeeded 
eminently and amassed a fortune, which served him well in his last days. In 
1888 he was elected sheriff of Upshur County, in 1893 he moved to Buckhannon 
where he lived until his death, December 19, 1905. 

He was married to Hannah V. Shobe, daughter of John and Nancy 
(Douglas) Shobe, December 25, 1861, by Rev. John W. Carter. 

John W. Shobe, his wife's father, was born 1808, and died in 1869, being 
killed accidently while filing a saw in his mill at French Creek. 

Children: Parley V., Dr. of Medicine, married Minnie Carper, one child, 
Walter; Lelah, wife of Dr. G. O. Brown; Hazen W., single; Virgie, wife of 
Horace Withers. 

ROBERT PICKENS, a farmer and native of Lewis County, was born 
November 23, 1856, the son of John Pickens and Mary Magdaline Stone, the 
daughter of Moses Stone and Elizabeth Siron, who was the daughter of John 
Siron and Easter Hiner of Highland County, Ya. Moses Stone settled on 
French Creek in the year 1828. Moses was the son of Peter Stone, emigrant from 
Germany to Pennsylvania, and Peter was deserter of the Royal Army, to join the 
Army of Washington. 

His grandparents were James Pickens and Rachel Talbot of Barbour County. 
James Pickens was the son of Alexander Pickens of Harrison Covmty, and Rachel 
Talbot was the daughter of David, the son of Richard, the son of James, an emi- 
grant from England. 

His father's family consisted of eleven children. He was the seventh son. 
His father was a soldier in the Civil War. 

He married Emma V. Bennett, June i, 1887, the daughter of Abram Bennett 
and Elizabeth Mick, and their children are : Denver C, a senior in the Wesleyan 
University of West Virginia, born May 25, 1888; Maud Victoria, born April 
19, 1890, and Robert Hoy. born May 19, 1891. 

The subject of this sketch is a farmer, but left his farms of which he has two, 
one in Lewis County of 250 acres, and one in Upshur of 165, to move to Buck- 
hannon for the purpose of educating his children. 

DOLLY B. PETSINGER, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Stuart) 
Carson. Born November i, 1877, in Marion County. Married Clarence Allen 
Petsinger, who has been working for the William Flaccus Oak and Leather C©. 
for ten years, July 14, 1901. Petsinger is a Massachusetts family. 

CHARLES M. PINNELL, Travelling Salesman. Son of John M. and 
grandson of David S. Pinnell. 

Married Genevieve Montgomery of St. Louis, Mo., daughter of Captain 
Thomas and Florence (Boswell) Montgomery. They have four children: Madge 
F., John M., Dorathy L., and Catherine L. 

David S. Pinnell married Catherine Elizabeth Wolfenbarger of Berlin, 
Germany. Their children were: Phillip F.. John M., Norvel E., David S., Jr.. 
James H., and George M. 

D. S. Pinnell was a member of the Legislature from 1865-69, Was speaker 
of the House during the fourth and fifth Legislatures. Was Consul to Australia 
under Grant. 

DAVID POE, bom September 20, 1836, in what is now Taylor County, near 
Grafton. Son of James Poe and Jane (Norris) Poe, his father was the son of 
Stephen and Margaret (Clendening) Poe. Stephen Poe was the father of thir- 
teen children, by Miss Clendening, and ten children by his second wife. He 
emigrated from Farquier County, Va., about the year 1800, settling near Grafton 



534 FAMILY HISTORY. 

on the now Joseph Carter farm and his parents were Samuel Poe and Margaret 
(King) Poe of Farquier County, Va. While only a boy, the father of Stephen 
joined the Continental Army and served throughout the war. The Poes afe of 
English extraction, the first of this family to come to America was David, who 
settled near the border line of Delaware and Pennsylvania and he was the paternal 
ancestor of three sons, all of whom went South to Virginia at an early date, one 
of these going perhaps later to North Carolina, thence drifting westward, and we 
here lose trace of the connection of his descendants. The two sons remaining 
in Virginia are the foreparents of the Poes of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia 
and Ohio. In the last named state the Poes are descended from Adam and 
Andrew Poe of Indian fame, who were also descended from the two Virginia 
Poes. 

Margaret Clendening Poe is a direct descendant from Charles or Archibald 
Clendening, a pioneer settler at the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 
then the border of English settlements in Virginia. These settlements had to be 
protected from the incursions of the Indians, and Clendening was among the 
first to take up arms and protect his home and the pioneer settlements from the 
natives of America, as the settlements proceeded westward, the Clendenings fol- 
lowed and were ever defenders and protectors of these border settlements, on 
the Greenbrier, New and Kanawha rivers and were conspicuous at the battle of 
Point Pleasant against Cornstalk. The capital of West \'irginia, situated on land 
owned by Charles Clendening, who gave the town its name and his son George 
was Delegate of Greenbrier County to the \'irginia Assembly which ratified the 
Constitution of the United States. About 1805, another branch of this family 
settled in what is now Taylor County. George W. Clendening and two sisters, 
one the wife of Aaron Luzader, and the other the wife of Abraham Johnson, 
settled near Grafton and they raised large families. Their sister Margaret 
Clendening Poe, having preceded them a few years. From the Virginia Clenden- 
ings can be traced back a line of descent as far as 11 50, when William of Glen- 
dolin Clendening, son of second Lord Douglas lived. 

Robert Glendonyn was rewarded for his bravery and courage in the Battle of 
Large, 1261, by large grants of land in Ayrshire and Simon Clendening was 
Knighted by King James Second, and invested with almost regal power within his 
own land of Clendening. In Scotland they espoused the cause of the Stuarts and 
in 1644 received their downfall for loyalty to this cause. Sir John Clendening. 
for his conspicuous part in the Montrose Rebellion, had his property confiscated 
and was compelled to flee to France. The mother of this sketch was the daugh- 
ter of David Norris and Susanna Lake, and the granddaughter of William and 
Mollie Asbury Lake, who were married in 1768 and emigrated from Virginia 
about the }ear 1800, settling in what is now Taylor County. William 
Lake, son of Stephen Lake, who came from England with four sons, Richard, 
Redmond, William and John. Richard and Redmnd went back to England and 
never returned to .\merica. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and 
remained thereon with his parents until twenty-one years of age. In 1858, he 
went west as far as Indiana and returned after spending one summer there. 
When Governor Letcher of Virginia, May, 1861. called the volunteer militia of 
the state to rendezvous at various camps, he responded to that call and went into 
camp at Fetterman, Taylor County with the Letcher Guards, the name of the 
local volunteer militia, and was made First Lieutenant of that organization on 
May 13. On May 22, 1861, he was officer of the day and was nearby when the 
killing of Bailey Brown by Daniel Knight, a State Militia picket occurred. 
Bailey Brown and Daniel Wilson were walking down from Grafton on the B. & O. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 535 

tracks toward the State Militia camp and encountered the picket, who demanded 
that they halt, Brown and Wilson refused and went on and approaching nearer 
Knight, Brown drew his pistol and fired at the sentinel, shooting him through the 
ear, who in turn, discharged his musket into Brown's breast, killing him instantly, 
and thus he. Brown, was the first enlisted soldier killed in the war, Col. Gerge R. 
Latham, then a Captain, recruiting a company at Grafton for the United States, 
having enlisted him on the 20th day of May, two days prior to his death. 

He served one year as Lieutenant of the Taylor County, Co. Company A 
of the 25th \'olunteer Virginia Infantry, at which time the regiment was le- 
organized and mustered into the Confederate service, he declined re-election, pre- 
ferring and obtaining permission to go down into Northwestern Virginia and 
recruit men for the cavalry service of the Confederate Army with the help of 
others he succeeded in recruiting and piloting through the line. Companies A and 
P. of the 20th Virginia Cavalry, and was elected lieutenant of the former com- 
pany, and served as such until after General Lee's surrender here. He was here 
the 25th Virginia in the battle of Philippi and was in command of the company in 
the Greenbrier River fight and the Allegheny Mountain fight, December 13, 1861. 
After the organization of the 20th Virginia Cavalry, served in that regiment dur- 
ing the remainder of the war, participating in the battles with General Averill, 
was with Imbodens Raid through West Virginia, with Jackson's Raid through the 
Randolph Mountains, Earley's Raid into Maryland and in most of the battles and 
skirmishes in the A'alley of Virginia in which Jackson's brigade was engaged in 
the years of 1863-4, was in the skirmishes at Little Washington, Liberty Mill and 
Gordonsville, Dec, 1864, and was with Lomax Div. of Cav. below Lynchburg and 
near enough to Appomatox to hear the last gun fired before surrender of Lee. 
Then went with Lomax's division of Cavalry across Va. to the North Carolina line 
for disbandonment. Some days before their arrival at Staunton, Jackson's 
brigade was disbanded at Botetourt County and ordered to rendezvous at Staunton 
before May first, the order was changed and Jackson's brigade rendezvoused 
at Lexington. Va., May 3, 1865, and was there disbanded forever as soldiers of 
the Confederacy. 

On November 21, 1865, he married Susan D. Hays of Albermarle County, 
Virginia and to that union were born ten children, five daughters and five sons, 
whose names are. Sarah M., Ella Hutton, Jane Camp, Charles Jonathan, Thomas 
Jefferson, Florence Burns, Oscar (dead), James Claudius, Solomon Randolph 
and Yancv Hays, His wife was the daughter of Col. David Hays, Jr., and 
Elizabeth Yancy Hays, and the granddaughter of David Hays, Sr., and a Miss 
Buster of Scotch descent. His wife's mother was the daughter of Charles Yancy 
and Mildred (Field) Yancy. 

He moved from Amherst County, Virginia to Upshur County, W. Va., in 
the fall of 1873. settling on the Middle Fork River, near the Woodley Bridge, 
the land he had purchased was a forest. For several years he taught school 
in winter, cleared the forest, raised crops and surveyed land, during 
the summer and fall. On the Presidential election day of 1876, he and forty of his 
neighbors were served with writs of ejectment issued out of the Federal Court of 
the United States in behalf of Benjamin Rich and Company, who claimed to have 
an older and better title to the land occupied and improved by the residents than 
the present and then owners. The land owners thus involved organized for re- 
sistence and he was selected as chairman of the Executive Committee of that 
organization of farmers and land owners, to fight the Writ and Claim and retain 
the land for its rightful owners. This case continued in the Federal Court for 
several years and on account of the decree of the Court claiming that the plea of 



536 FAMILY HISTORY. 

disclaimer had not been entered up to the day of the trial and the defendants not 
owning all the land claimed by the plaintififs (one hundred thousand acres), 
the cost of this litigatin shall fall on the defendants and the burden of it was 
borne by the subject of this sketch. It took his farm of five hundred acres of land 
and other valuable real estate and personality near Buckhannon to pay this cost. 
On February 28, 1904, Susan D., his wife, departed this life. 

He is a Democrat in politics, a Baptist in religion. His political offices have 
been Notary Public, appointed by Governor Matthews and a member of the 
House of Delegates 1882 and 1883, from Upshur County. 

CELIA A. POLING, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Reed) Boylen of 
Barbour County. Was educated in the public schools of Barbour County and 
in due time, and at the proper age, married Absolom Poling, a farmer of Barbour 
County, now a farmer of Upshur County, living on the Abraham Strader farm, 
three miles south of Buckhannon on the Buckhannon and Walkerville Turnpike; 
of this farm he owns 270 acres. Mr. Poling was a son of Henry and Mary 
(Markley) Poling of Barbour County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Poling have one child, a son. Members of the M. E. Church. 

MATILDA J. POLING, wife of Lewis W. Poling and daughter of John and 
Elizabeth Ann (Reed) Boylen, was born May 11, 1861, in Barbour County, and 
married Mr. Poling, son of Harvey and Mary (Markley) Poling, November 23, 
1882. Her husband is a farmer and employee of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- 
road, now working at the depot in the town of Buckhannon. 

She is proprietor of the Central House, a hotel on Depot street, Buckhannon. 

Children : Raymond Francis, born February 23, 1883, with the B. & O. R. R. ; 
John Bosworth, born September 29, 1884, married Margaret Hinkle ; Herbert 
Lloyd, born March 26, 1895; Harry Spencer, born July 21, 1905. 

ADAM POST, bom April 14, 1858, son of Isaac and Emily (Carper) Post. 
Married Lula Hevner, daughter of L'riah Hevner, of Pocahontas County, W. 
Va. He is a large fanner and stockman. 

Children : Mary Rodgers Post, born July, 1895 ; Hevener Carper Post, born 
December 1896; Emma Louise Post, born October 3, 1903, dead. 

WILLIAM F. POST, of Jane Lew, Lewis County, is a farmer, a live stock 
man and a shipper of live stock. He is the son of John and Sophia (Cookman) 
Post, the second son and the fourth child. He is the grandson of Martin Post. 
He was Sheriff of Lewis County from 1888 until 1892, elected on the Democratic 
ticket. 

He married Elizabeth J. Young, daughter of James Young, Jr., and Nancy 
Griffith. 

Children: Scott A. Birdie, wife of W. E. Rhodes; Alice Wilda,, wife of 
Dr. C. L. Cookman ; Dr. Wade H.. married Mary E. Eib ; Ansel B.. and Porter W. 

SAMUEL PRINGLE, came here with his brother John, settling at the mouth 
of Turkey Run, years after his brother left the settlement on the Buckhannon 
River and went to Kentucky where he married and where his grandson still 
lives. 

Samuel Pringle married Charity Cutright, a sister of John Cutright, and to 
them were born three sons and two daughters, whose names were: William, 
John, Samuel, Elizabeth and one daughter whose name we do not know, this 
unnamed daughter married a man by the name of Wolf and went with him to 
Ohio, settling about Letart Falls and there lived, leaving one daughter, named 
Mary, who married Isaac Westfall, who later immigrated to Indiana. 

William Pringle married Nellie Rollins, the daughter of Barnaby Rollins and 
to them were given fifteen children as follows : Hettie, the wife of William 



FAMILY HISTORY. 537 

Wetherholt ; Sinai, the wife of Christopher Cutright; Wealthy, the wife of Abram 
Crites; Alminy, the wife of Isaac W. Simons; Mahala, the wife of Jacob 
Crites ; Susanna, the wife of George Cutr'ght, and Rachiel, the wife of Hiram 
Rollins ; John, who married Rhoda Casto, sister of David Casto ; James, who mar- 
ried Mary Ann Wetherholt ; Isaac, who married Easter Rodgers ; David and Elias, 
died at or near the age of twenty, with consumption; Gilbert, died in infancy; 

Joel who married ; and Eliza Montgomery and Chaney, 

who married Melvina Olive Crites, daughter of Jacob Crites. 

The second son of Samuel, John, married Mary Cutright, sister of Andrew 
Cutright and they had given to them six daughters and two sons as follows : 
Barbara, the wife of John Hunt ; Catherine, the wife of John Howse ; Elizabeth, 
the wife of Daniel Phipps ; Christina, the wife of Elisha Tenney; Hepsy and 
Fanny, never married ; Andrew, never married, and Miles marrying a Miss 
Rowan. 

The third son of Samuel Pringle, Samuel, Jr., was never married. 

Samuel Pringle's oldest daughter, Elizabeth, married Andrew Cutright. 

ALIBATUS D. TABNER PRINGLE, born November 3d, i860, son of 

A. Chaney Pringle and grandson of William Pringle, his mother was Melvina O. 
Crites, the daughter of Jacob Crites and the granddaughter of Abram Crites, Sr.,, 
and Susan Crites. Abram Crites, Sr.'s other child was Barbara, who married John 
D. Hyer. Abram Crites, Sr., came here about the year 1790, with his father, 
whose name was Abraham, and his brothers, Michael, Leonard, Phillip, John and 
Jonas and his sister Rebecca, the wife of Silas Bennet, came along. 

The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm near Alton, was educated in 
the public school and from 1881 to the present time has been in the mercantile 
business, either as clerk or owner. 

Married first wife, September 4, 1884, Luzetty E. Wyatt, daughter of John 
Wyatt. Children : Albert Harman and Ventley Dorr. Second wife was Minnie 

B. Westfall, daughter of A. L. Westfall, and their children are: Ethel May, Amos 
Chester and Artha Dale. 

ISAAC S. PRINGLE, the son of Andrew Chaney Pringle, the son of Wil- 
liam Pringle, the son of Samuel Pringle, was born April 23, 1865. His mother's 
maiden name was Melvina Crites. His brothers and sisters are: R. H. Walker, 
A. D. Tavener, Eli M., Edward Duncan, Barbara Ann, wife of Greeley Phillips. 

He has been a lumberman since young manhood, has had ups and downs in 
the business that would have discouraged most men. He is now owner of a saw- 
mill in operation a few miles south of Alton, where he lives. His first wife 
was Civilia Boseley, daughter of David Boseley. Child: Cllfira May. His 
second wife was Rebecca J. Zickefoose, daughter of Hanson Zickefoose. His 
third wife was Rosa Fitzgerald and their children are: Ruhl Koblegard, Hazel 
Mav and Letha. 

"JAMES FLETCHER PRITT, born March i, 1858, son of James Pritt and 
Rachel McKisic. the former born in 1813 and the latter in 1818. His grand- 
father, Edward Pritt, was born in Bath County, Va. His mother was a daughter 
of Andrew and Susanna (McCauley) McKisic of Ireland. His father came from 
Scotland here. 

On February 3, 1881, he marriel Mary McKisic, who was born March 15, 
1866, and their children are: John Vaut, bom May 24, 1882, died July 28, 1904; 
Charles Stanley, Early Jackson, Orpha Edra, Arminta Bell, Fitzhugh, born De- 
cember 3, 1892, died January 7, 1895. and Mary Victoria. 

The subject of this sketch is a farmer. Owns 200 acres of land near Arling- 



538 FAMILY HISTORY. 

ton and is a stone mason. He belongs to the Oak Grove M. E. Church at 
Kanawha Head and in politics is a Democrat. 

DANIEL PROPST, born October 7, 1841, in Pendleton County, son of 
George and Malinda Propst, of Irish descent, 1861 enlisted in the Confederate 
Army, was shot through the arm at Williamsport, Md., re-enlisted in Company 
K, 62d Virginia Infantry, under Captain Karickhoff, was captured at Beverly and 
sent to Camp Chase, had been in the battles of Gettysburg, Cold Harbor and 
Fisher's Hill. In 1870 he moved from Pendleton to Barbour County, from 
Barbour to Gilmer County, and then back to Pendleton ; in 1906 he became a citi- 
zen of Upshur County. 

He married Barbara Hoover, daughter of George Hoover and Sus,an 
Schrader. They have no children. 

MAUD PROUDFOOT of Bumsville, W. Va., born February 4, 1890, in 
Randolph County. She is the daughter of R. L. Proudfoot and Jane C. Pee, 
the daughter of David Poe (See biography of David Poe). 

On her father's side she is the granddaughter of Joshua Proudfoot and 
Juana V. Talbot and the great granddaughter of Alexander Proudfoot and Eliza- 
beth Cole, and the great, great granddaughter of John Proudfoot and Leah Hill, 
his Italian wife, both these last came from Scotland. 

Juana Y. Talbot was the daughter of Robert Talbot and Jane Stickles, and 
the granddaughter of Ehsha Talbot, who was the son of Richard and Margaret 
Dowden, who were among the first settlers of Barbour County. 

Richard Talbot was a son of William, a citizen of Fairfax County, Va. 
William came directly from England and settled in Virginia. 

ALBINAS QUEEN, is a farmer of Warren District, but a native of Harri- 
son County, born there May 10, 1859, unto David and Rebecca (Love) Queen. 
His grandfathers were Amsted Queen and John Love, and his great grandfather 
was Charles Queen, who was the son of an Irish immigrant to the U. S. 

Subject of sketch was educated in the common schools of Upshur for he was 
only four years old when his parents left Harrison County. He has always lived 
in Upshur County with the exception of these four years and the time his parents 
moved to Athens County, Ohio, in 1864. 

November 17, 1881, he married Missouri O. Casto, a daughter of Job Casto 
of Peck's Run, they have but one child, a son, whose name is Clyde Smith Queen, 
who was born May 13, 1886. 

His present home is at Peck's Run. 

CRAWFORD L. QUEEN, minister of the Methodist Protestant Church. 
Was born about forty years ago at Lorentz, Upshur County. His father died 
while he was young and the responsibility of his raising and edi»cation fell upon 
his relatives, uncles and aunts, and they responded to the call of duty promptly 
and progressively, sent the young lad to the public schools of the neighborhood in 
winter and placed him in subscription schools, whenever possible, during summers. 
The desire for knowledge seemed inbred in the young man and he responded to 
every opportunity afforded him to acquire that which was more precious than gold 
and more lasting than rubies. After completing his course in the public schools, 
he took the means left him by benevolent parents and hied away to college in the 
State of Maryland and four years there saw him leaving the halls of Westminister 
College with a diploma calling for Bachelor of Arts Degree. 

Now his active work in the ministry began in West Virginia, and wherever 
he went and whenever he preached he made an impression of his earnestness 
and devout living. .\ few years more saw him President of his Conference, 
which position he has since twice held. He now lives at Grafton, where he is 



FAMILY HISTORY. 539 

loved and admired by all, and so thorough has been his educational training 
since his entry into the ministry that Adrian College, upon a sermon delivered 
there, confined upon him the degree of -Doctor of Divinity. 

PARLEY QUEEN, a farmer of Meade District, was born on Laurel Fork, 
February 9, 1874, the son of Granville Queen and Hannah Grim, his grandfathers 
were Amsted Queen and Edward Grim. On reaching his majority, he left the 
parental roof to work for himself, for years he worked wherever work could be 
found, saving every cent that was not needed for actual expenses, and when his 
marriage to Luvina Phillips occurred on November 13, 1899, he had enough 
money to warrant his purchasing a farm of sixty acres near Ten Mile, where he 
now lives. His wife was the daughter of Osborne Phillips, the son of David, 
son of William, son of David, Sr. Children : Elsie, born May 15, 1900, Ruth, born 
April 25, 1902, Eva Cloe, born April 5, 1906. 

GEORGE QI"'"r,EY, Geologist, lumberman, prospector for oil and gas, 
and an expert on 1 i; c ils. Was born September 16, 1847, in South Royalston, 
Mass. His parents w li c. Samuel Quigley and Jane McMickle, natives of Ireland. 
His father immigrated to Massachusetts from Ireland and after remaining in 
America some time went back to marry. He was R. R. Contractor. 

The subject of this' sketch joined the 2d Ohio Heavy Artillery, Company M, 
in 1863, and served in that regiment during the rest of the war, and was dis- 
charged at Nashville, Tenn. When he went west to Kansas and lived there two 
years, then came back to Ohio and in 1895 settled in West Virginia, near Pickens, 
Randolph County. He is now a citizen of Upshur and lives near Indian Camp, 
Meade District. 

BENTON C. RADABAUGH, is a native of the County, born at Swamp 
Run, August 9, 1879, the son of Adam Radabaugh and Clara Eleanor Wagner, 
and the grandson of George Radabaugh and Sarah Heavner, and the great grand- 
son of Adam Radabaugh, Sr., and Catherine Simons, who were citizens of 
Chillicothie, Ohio, at the time of their death. The Radabaughs are of German- 
extraction. His grandmother was a daughter of Nicholas Heavner and Catherine 
Kester. 

His mother was a daughter of William Wagoner and Edith Boyles, who was 
a daughter of Gilbert Boyles and EHen Goff, an own sister of Waldo Goff. Gil- 
bert Boyle.s was born in Ireland 1772, and emigrated and settled on the Waters 
of Teter's Creek, Barbour County. On April 10, 1905, he married Annie B. Van- 
gilder, the daughter of James M. Vangilder and Marian Bram, who was the 
daughter of Elijah Bram and Roanna Swisher, of Marion County. His wife's 
grandfather was Frederick Vangilder and his wife's grandmother was Dorcas 
Moran. 

He was educated in the public schools in Union District, whence he graduated 
in 1897, and worked at Davis, Tucker County, on a saw mill until a call was made 
for soldiers to go to the Spanish-American War. He responded to that call by 
volunteering in the 3d U. S. Engineers at Piedmont, W. Va., .and saw service in 
the United States and Cuba. He received an honorable discharge at Fort Mc- 
Pherson, Ga., May 17. 1899, after returning home he took up farming and school 
teaching, which he still follows. 

He is a member of the Upshur County School Book Board and the M. E. 
Church, and in politics a Republican. 

Child : Harold Abraham, bom September 30, 1906. 

FRANCIS MARION RADABAUGH, a farmer ofWarrcn District, born 



540 FAMILY HISTORY. 

June 29, 1875, at Montocello, Ind., son of Leisure Radabaugh and Hannah Low- 
ther, the grandson of Benjamin Radabaugh, who emigrated from Ohio to West 
Virginia, settHng on the farm now owned by his son Sandusky Radabaugh. 
Leisure Radabaugh was a soldier in the Union Army and immigrated to Indiana 
after the war and there married and has four children: Walter W., Fanny F., 
Charles Ira, and the subject of this sketch, who was married October 28, 1900, 
to Maggie McDermot, the daughter of Mary Jane AIcDermot, and they have 
one child, Kenneth W., born June 14, 1902. 

Mrs. Radabaugh's mother, after the death of her husband, married Isaac 
Radabaugh, who raised the subject of this sketch until he reached his majority. 
He owns fifty acres of land and is a Republican in politics and a good farmer. 

SANDUSKY RADABAUGH, farmer, was born November 15, 1835, son of 
Benjamin Radabaugh, he married Dora A. Brake, daughter of Melvin and Sophia 
Ellen Brake, June 13, 1877. 
• Children : Houston, Benjamin Bruce, Mellie B. 

He owns 400 acres of land in Warren District. 

JAMES MADISON RAIKES was born June 30, 1852, the son uf Thomas 
Raikes whose wife was Mary Susan Woody. They came to the Little Kanawha 
River and made a settlement near Holly Grove, on a tract of a hundred acres of 
land, which he had previously bought, at a very early date. 

Mr. Thomas Raikes lost his mind in young manhood and was taken to the 
Staunton Insane Asylum and there remained till his death. 

His wife raised the family. 

The subject of this sketch married for his first wife, Sarah Frances Smith, 
daughter of Morgan Smith, she was born in 1859, and died in 1887, and their 
children were: William Henry, Alfred Morgan, Thomas Anderson and Mattie 
Elizabeth. 

November 15, 1888, he married for his second wife, Lizzie Lincoln Smith, 
a sister of the first wife and their children are: Virgie Frances, bom December 
18, 1890, and died in 1895; Merrill Clodus, born October 21, 1895; Janice Alice, 
born June 18, 1902. 

Mrs. Raikes' grandfather was Joshua Smith, an early settler of Frenchton, 
Banks' District. 

The subject of this sketch is a farmer and stone mason, he owns two hundred 
and forty acres of good land on the Little Kanawha River, near Holly Grove, 
and he has named his farm. Sugar Forest, after the fine Maple Sugar Orchard on 
his land. He has fine apple and peach orchards on his farm. In religion he is a 
Missipnary Baptist and in politics he is a Republican. 

GEORGE W. RATLIFF, son of John and Mary Ann (Thorn) Ratliff, 
born April 12, 1820, in Hardy County, Va. Came to Upshur County in 1840, 
entered the war as a private of Company A, and later joined Company G, First 
West Virginia Cavalry. Served as Postmaster at Ivy, twenty years, as Justice 
of the Peace of Washington District, four years and as Constable eight years. 

Married Catherine Hess, daughter of Peter Hess, May 5, 1838. 

Children: Peter private in Company D, loth West \'irginia, was killed at the 
fall of Richmond ; John ; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Eskew ; Isaac ; Charles 
M., married Eliza Prichard ; Emma Florence, dead; William, married Nancy 
Cox ; Noah W., married Ladona Cutright ; Benjamin, married Verna Westfall ; 
Sarah Catherine, wife of William Tenney. 

ARMINTA BELLE REED, daughter of Gideon Martin and Matilda (West- 
fall) Kesling. Born August 16, 1872, in Upshur County, married Ebbon B. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 541 

Reed, December 5, 1890, ceremony by Rev. John W. Reger, for whom the hus- 
band was working, in a coal bank. 

Children, Laco, born December 10, 1891 ; Nora Estie, born August 17, 1895; 
Arthur Bryan, born April 9, 1900. 

FLOYD A. REED, a farmer and lumberman of Washington District, was 
born September i, 1874, son of David M. Reed and Mary Goodwin, the daughter 
of Elijah Goodwin and Ann Outright the daughter of Jacob, the son of John 

Outright. His grandfather, Jacob Reed, and his grandmother Metheney, 

were natives of Highland County, Va., immigrating to this county before the Civil 
War. The subject of this sketch is the oldest child of a family of seven, five boys 
and two girls, and was by age made foreman and leader and prorecior of his 
brothers on the farm and at school. When 19 years of age, he went to work for 
himself and followed teaming and lumbering for A. G. Giffin several years. He 
traded horses in Virginia two years and then entered into partnership wi;h L. C. 
Wamsley, which still exists. They own a store at Sand Run and are operating 
two lumber mills, near their home. He owns one hundred and fifty-two acres of 
land. 

Married in 1898 to Ivy B. Smith, daughter of Abraham Smith and Harriet, 
the daughter of Jerry Lanham, his wife. Children: Lena J., born April 6, 1901, 
and Nellie Dale, born January 15, 1907. 

A FEW SKETCHES. 

Data for the following sketches have been discovered among the miscellaneous 
manuscripts of the Rev. John W. Reger, D. D., and to his cherished memory, 
they are affectionately dedicated 

L. A. E. R. H., February 5, 1907. 

JACOB REGER, 

Born 1733. 

The Trans-Allegheny Historical Magazine, published July, 1902, Volume i, 
contains the following copy of the original records of land certificates granted 
during 1781, by commissioners appointed by the State Government, for the ad- 
justment of land claims. 

Page 241. "John Reiger, 400 acres, on each side of Buckhannon River, 
nearby joining lands claimed by Timothy Dorman, to include his settlement made 
in 1773." Again on page 190 we have further reference to the same tract of land, 
where its boundaries are more clearly defined. 

Page 249 of saine IMagazine : "Jacob Reger. 400 acres, on second Big Run, to 
include'his settlement made in 1776." John and Jacob Reger were brothers, 
"German Lutherans" and at this time wholly ignorant of the English language, 
hence the difference in orthography. For information in this matter, the writer is 
indebted to the kindness of Mr. Daniel O'Brien, an aged and most highly esteemed 
citizen of Bat^our County, West Virginia. We have substantial reasons for the 
supposition that John Reger settled permanently in Pennsylvania, where his 
descendants may be found, bearing the same family names and trad'tions, also, 
with characteristics strongly suggestive of lineal consanguinity with those of 
Jacob Reger's family. Jacob Reger and his good wife, Barbary Crites Reger, 
were the founders of the somewhat numerous family bearing their name ; portions 



542 FAMILY HISTORY. 

of which still remain in West Virginia, though perhaps the larger number hav? 
emigrated westward. 

In the year 1776, when as DeHass writes: "straggling parties of Indians so 
filled the woods of Virginia and Kentucky that no one outside of a fort was safe," 
and each day the war cloud becoming more portentious, our sturdy Dutchman 
and his heroic wife, with several children, came to the land on which Burnersvilk 
now stands, and doubtless, "straight they set themselves to work," to build their 
home, the remains of which may possibly still be seen ; as represented by those who 
were familiar with its structure, it was a very strong block house, small but well 
adapted for defense, situated upon a slight eminence near a spring of purest water. 
As indicative of the spirit and character of these emigrants reference will be made 
to an incident, which some may remember having heard narrated by eloquent lips, 
now alas ; long silent, — -"that through all the dangers of a long and tedious sea 
voyage and the vicissitudes incident to following for more than 150 miles a blind 
trail which led them over high and precipitous mountains, across deep and rapid 
streams, exposed at every step to ravenous beasts, poisonous snakes, and worse 
than all, to roaming bands of savages — still even as the ancient Israelites carried 
ever with them the Ark of the Covenant, so these carried their large German Bible, 
now in possession of their great, great grandson, Mr. Irvin Teter. As further 
illustrative of their religious convictions, it may be added that soon after their 
arrival, they established in their home for their own and neighboring families, a 
Sunday service which consisted in Bible reading, singing and prayer. In this 
home the first adventurous ministers of the Gospel, who found their way through 
the almost impenetrable wilderness, received a most cordial welcome. Here they 
preached and prayed and sang, and "broke the bread of life to hungry souls." 
After the marriage of their son, John, his home became the preaching place. 

The great James R. Day, LL. D., in a speech delivered in New York City, 
February 26, 1903, refers to the eagerness evidenced by the early ministers in the 
cultivation of the intellect and storing their minds with knowledge. He further 
states, "they preached a gospel which awoke the brain, they also carried in their 
saddle bags, books and tracts, distributing ihem as they went." True, they had to 
be guarded from one appointment to the next, but not only Godliness, but civili- 
zation followed in their footsteps. May not the unusually large per cent of this 
family who, in each succeeding generation, have been conspicuous for their 
devotion to the faith of their fathers, be largely attributed to the influences and 
associations found within this humble pioneer's cabin? To its founders was ful- 
filled with promise, "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shnck 
of corn Cometh in his season." 

Their children were as follows : 

Anthony, who served as Ensign in Capt. Silas Zane's Company, 13th Va. Reg. 
Rev. .\rmy, married the widow Simon. 

Jacob who died single. 

Philip, who at the age of 15, enlisted in Captain Summerels Company, Rev. 
Army, married Sarah Jackson. His second wife's maiden name was Mary Jane 
Fornash. He was a justice of the peace from the formation of Lewis County 
to the time of his death, a period of 40 years, during much of which time he also 
held other responsible and honorable positions. 

John, married Elizabeth West. 

Abram married Mary Reeder. 

Isaac, married Modlen Brake. 

Elizabeth, married Cotteral Talbot. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 543 

Barbara, married Samuel Jackson. 
Mary, married George Bozarth. 
Annie, married John Bozarth. 
Catherine, married Stephen Martin. 

JOHN REGER, SR. 

John Reger. Sr., fourth son of Jacob and Barbary (Crites) Reger, was born 
January 15, 1769, died May 14, 1849. The period of his birth was highly con- 
ducive to the development of those characteristics which rendered him conspicu- 
ous, even among the men of his time, for those qualities both mental and physical 
which then, as now, are held in highest esteem. Doubtless his youthful imagina- 
tion was excited to emulate, so far as possible, the example of his two older 
brothers, who were in the Revolutionary Army, for at a very early age, where all 
were accomplished along these lines, he was considered an exceptionally fine 
marksman, ready, as De Hess writes of other boys of that time, "at twelve or 
thirteen years of age to act as a fort soldier." Under the most trying circumstan- 
ces he is represented as cautious, but always calm and courageous, with an eye 
that never quailed and a muscle that never quivered. Thus it was he grew to 
manhood, so strong, so brave, so determined in purpose, and yet so gentle, so ten- 
der and so kind, was his nature, that "none knew him but to love and trust." "The 
bravest are the gentlest." When he was 21 years old he stood six feet two inches 
in his sock feet. "Massive in person, a hugh body, a great head, stalwart arms, 
and a heart big, brave and bountiful." To his prodigious feats of physical 
strength, the writer should hesitate to refer, lest they be deemed exaggerations, 
but fortunately there still remain those, who from eye witnesses have received 
similar reports, and others still, are matters of family history, one as follows: a 
man greatly priding himself in his physical powers, having heard rumors of John 
Reger's strength, journeyed to the home of the latter, whom he found engaged in 
some peaceful pursuit, near the door of his cabin, from which projected a porch, 
or in the parlance of the time, a "stoop." When challenged by the stranger, our 
hero disclaimed all desire or ambition to excel and freely accorded his would-be- 
opponent the highest merit, but with the utmost insistence the stranger continually 
drew nearer, "when all of a sudden" he found himself resting, not easily, upon the 
"stoop" roof, quite willing the question should be dismissed withut further dis- 
cussion. Many other instances might be added, all of which would prove not only 
his unusual strength, but also the modesty with which he used his extraordinary 
powers, only for the attainment of that which was in itself meritorious. 

The murder of Edwin West, Sr., occurred December 5, 1778. John Reger 
married his daughter, Elizabeth West, in 1779. She was one of the two sisters 
to whom reference is made in Withers Chronicles, page 378. That this was a 
"true love match," the most indubitable proof was given by the brave lover, who 
neither daunted by the distance, 150 miles, nor the perils of the way, walked to 
Winchester and back, that, in his own words, "his little Bettie might have "a store 
gown" in which to be married." Would it be an injustice to the exalted gallantry 
of the handsome groom, to surmise, that perchance within the ample folds of his 
hunting shirt there rested, besides the bridal robe, well ! perhaps, a pair of store 
shoes, which from their size were not intended for "little Bettie?" 

A merrv crowd assembled on the festive occasion of this marriage, among 
whom were the ancestors of some who have been conspicuous in making the his- 
tory, not only of Virginia, but also of West Virginia. Of that wedding day of 
the' long, long, ago, one incident alone survives the years, which was related to the 



544 FAMILY HISTORY. 

writer by one now passed away, who had received it from the Hps of the quondam 
groom — -"that on his wedding day, for the amusement of their guests, he held his 
'liitle Bettie' she standing upright on his outstretched pahn," The home they 
built, and in which ihey so happily lived for almost sixty years, stood on the right 
hand side of the road leading toward Philippi, opposite Mr. Wellington Strader's 
residence, and only a short distance from the Reger Church. All that now re- 
mains to identify the spot are a few stones which once formed a part of the 
chimney. Over these Nature has most deftly spread her ever ready adornment, 
the radiant native Ampelopsis quinquefolia, and yet even these stones are to some 
suggestive of a period now rapidly receding in the dim and distant past, when this 
home was a center of usefulness and activity. May we not tarry for a moment 
to observe the brave men and women who are gathering here to worship, as was 
for so many years their custom. It is a lovely Sabbath morning, even the sun- 
shine is suggestive of the "day of rest and gladness;" there is a sweet peace brood- 
ing over all the hills. Borrowing wiih small change the phraseology of one who 
lived at a period near to that of which we write, and was, during his tender years 
the petted darling of this household — "We see them arriving, whole families, 
none dared to be left behind lest the merciless foe descend upon them — and so they 
came, the great strong father, stalwart and loose jointed, in buckskin breeches and 
linsey huniing shirt, to which, perhaps, loving hands have added an ornamental 
fringe ; in his belt are his bowie knife and tomahawk, in one hand he carries his 
trusty rifle, while perhaps with the other he bears the youngest of the family. He 
carries himself as a trained athlete, erect, alert for any sound indicative of the pres- 
ence o f danger ; closely following comes his wife and children — a buxom, 
bonnie brood, as fresh as the dewy woods through which they are passing; and as 
neither circumstances nor danger can wholly divest the feminine mind of its in- 
herent vanity, we may observe the Sunday gown is a little smarter than the ordi- 
nary, though its superiority may consist only in the more vivid coloring, the 
greater variety of stripes, or the finer texture of the linsey short gown, and petti- 
coat, which she wears with satisfied grace and air of accustomedness, which her 
descendants may not presume to effect, or, perchance, today my lady appears in 
a linen gown, for which she assisted in clearing the ground, sowing the seed, 
hackling the flax, spinning, weaving, bleaching and pressing until it shines like 
satin, in which case her sunbonnet and gloves are doubtless of the same material — 
"and truly she is fair to look upon." Mayhap she tarries for a moment before 
reaching the open to change her homemade moccasins for the store shoes she has 
hitherto so carefully carried;; the former are placed under a convenient log to 
await her return. From every direction we see groups arriving, some serious of 
face and mien, others gay and festive as become iheir years. The cordial greetmgs 
over, the rifles are carefully stacked convenientl}- near the dcor, while at leas' one 
man takes his stand as sentinel. We await the opening hymn, the first cadence of 
which, with its tender minor chord has already reached us, it rises, ihen falls, 
then swells again like a mighty anthem until it seems the "pearly gates" must 
surely be ajar, while to us, melody from the choir invisible is floating down 
through the lambent purity of the serene heavens. Curiosity detains us ; there are 
Abrani Carper and his wife, their children and their colored servants, good old 
Aunt Chloe, who after living more than one hundred years went shouting home 
to Heaven; also Sampson Caesar, who was sent as a missionary to Monravia, 
Africa, where for many years he labored with great success. Jacob Rohrbough 
and wife and children also appear; the Hackers, Jacksons, Cutrights, Bushes, 
Crites, Brakes, Hyres, Sleeths, Castos and Bozarths are present, also William 
Strange and his wife, Ann Hitt of French Huegonot extraction ; her second bus- 



FAMILY HISTORY. 545 

band was a Martin, whose sons were Stephen and Joel; her third husband was 
Joseph Hall, and their sons were David and Jonathan. Not in the rear on that 
day sat Barbary Reger (afterward Teter) for she appears in a "bran new" calico 
gown fastened with "store pin," the first brought to the settlement," the father 
who was so thoughtful for the sweetheart had now remembered the daughter, 
and on his last annual trip to Winchester traded furs, etc., for those extravagances, 
which the dear old lady, with a remiscent smile and a merry twinkle in her 
calm blue eyes, assured the writer, rendered her a very conspicuous belle in their 
'settlement.' Anthony and Philip Reger, both of whom served in the Revolu- 
tionary Army, were present, also James Teter. Another interesting figure is 
Jacob Brake, who, during his captivity with the Indians, acquired all their 
stoicism, and many other of their characteristics. We also observe Samuel 
Jackson and his young wife, Barbary Jackson, nee Reger. These at a very 
early period emigrated Westward. Some may be interested to know that the 
first camp meeting held on the waters of the "Upper Monongalia" was in con- 
nection with this Reger appointment; it began August 17, 1811, under the super- 
intendence of Jacob Gruber. Presiding Elder. John West and .-Vbram Daniels. 
"Circuit Riders." In 1827, Peter McGowan, Isaac Reynolds and Nathaniel Col- 
ander, held a camp meeting in James Teter's orchard, which was almost opposite 
John Reger's home, on land now owned by W. Strader ; there are doubtless some 
living who remember hearing of this meeting, which is said to have continued 
without intermission for eleven consecutive days and nights. Thither a little 
later came William and John Hank, those sweet singers of Israel ; the melody of 
the former's voice still stirs the writer's heart, though more than forty years have 
passed since the dear old man, in the midst of 20 or 30 frightened school girls, 
gathered on the floor about his feet, during the raging of a fearful tempest sang, 
"From every stormy wind that blows, etc." 

Let us now return for a brief moment to the subject of this sketch. Let 
none suppose that because he had only his Bible and Nature from which to gain 
information, that therefore he was an ignorant man. Nay, verily ; endowed 
with an inquiring and observant mind, and a strong masculine understanding, 
he found "tongues in trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stones, and 
good in every thing." Such was his familiarity with the Scriptures, so ready 
and apt his quotations therefrom, that few cared to antagonize his theological 
views. He was for 53 years a class leader and exhorter in the M. E. Church ; 
such his intrepidity and skill as a woodsman, scout and hunter from Winchester 
to the Ohio River, that of him the lines written for another are equally applicable. 

"He needs no guide in the forest, 

More than the hunter bees ; 
His guides are the cool, green mosses 

To the northward of the trees. 
Nor fears he the foe whose footsteps 

Go light as the summer air. 
For his aim is sharp and steady. 
And his rifles' ring is clear." 
John and Elizabeth West Reger's children : 
Jacob, married Permelia Arnold. 

Abram, married Leah Brake. Second wife, Permelia Rohrbough. 
Edmund, died young. 
Elizabeth, married Jacob Crislip. 
Barbary, married James Teter, 1820. Second husband, Peter Zinn. 



546 FAMILY HISTORY. 

MAJOR ABRAM REGER. 

Abram Reger was born September 13, 1795. His father was John Reger, 
Sr., and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth West. In 1814, Abram Reger 
married Leah Brake, who was born March 5, 1795, and died March 8, 1835. 
She was a daughter of Jacob Brake, who for fourteen years was a prisoner among 
the Indians. Jacob was the son of John Brake, whose home was on the South 
Fork of the Wappatomaka, near which Jacob's mother was killed by the Indians. 
See Ker. History page 81. 

Just here the writer would introduce a pen portrait of Leah Brake Reger, 
which was written many years ago by her oldest son, the Rev. John W. Reger, 
"Her face was most delicately formed, with all its features in perfect harmony, 
and the whole overspread with a sensitive sincerity, which was at once pleasing 
and captivating. Her eyes were blue gray, large and expressive, her hair rich 
and flowing, and dark as the raven's wing." 

No mother Vas ever more tenderly loved than this one of the "long, long 
ago." Major Abram Reger, the subject of this sketch, inherited the characteris- 
tics of his hardy ancestors, the powerful physique, the cool, steady and determined 
courage, and a never failing trust in the God of his fathers. As they, so was he, 
a champion in all the sports of the period, and an exceptionally fine marksman. 
In the war of 1812, he served as First Lieutenant, in his uncle. Captain John 
Bozarth's company, Virginia militia. After which, he was addressed as Major, 
whether "Brevetted" or only as a compliment, is unknown and immaterial. During 
the years immediately preceding the Civil war, Abram Reger, with his second wife, 
whose maiden name was Permelia Rohrbough, and their children, emigrated to 
Illionis. Soon after the death of his wife, he returned to his native state. To 
the time of his departure he retained unimpaired all his mental faculties, which 
with his rich store of reminiscences, rendered him a most unique and interesting 
character. Until very near the end, he could go alone wherever he chose, either 
walking or driving. When only a lad he united with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and through all the vicissitudes of his long and eventful life the Christian's 
faith and hope had been his. At the home of his eldest son, the Rev. John W. 
Reger. surrounded by all that the tenderest love could provide, on August 14, 
1886, he met death with a calm and quiet resignation as one who knew the gates 
of Heaven were but the portals of immortality. 

Abram Regcr's children : 

Rev. John W. Reger, married Rebecca A. Brown. 

Major Albert Reger, married Mary Seay. 

Abram Reger, married Elizabeth McCoy. 

Jacob Reger, married Phoebe Crol. 

Cecelia Reger, married George Simons. 

Elizabeth Reger. married George Pickens. 

Rebecca Reger, married Thomas Seay. 

Rev. Alfred A. Reger, married Frances Ludington. 

Leah Reger, married Stephen Post. 

Second wife's children : 

Perry Reger, married 

Eliza Reger, married Jeflf. 

Barbary Reger, married Williams. 

Marietta Reger, married Dix. 

Marcelhis Reger, ' 

Dallas Reger. ■ 



FAMILY HISTORY. 547 

MAJOR ALBERT G. REGER. 

- The Plaindealer of November 30, 1893, contained the following sketch of 
Major Albert G. Reger: 

Major Albert G. Reger was born in Lewis County, now within the bounds of 
Upshur County, W. Va., on the 25th day of December, 1818. 

On the 20th day of November at his home in Philippi, after a long illness, 
which gradually, but almost imperceptibly exhausted a constitution of unusual 
vigor, death came to him so quietly that the loved ones watching at his bedside 
thought that his final rest was but a "breathing sleep." Without a struggle or a 
groan to indicate that the great change was at hand, his "mortal had put on 
immortality." 

On the 13th day of October, 1844, there appears on the first order book of the 
old Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery of Barbour County the following 
order : 

"A. G. Reger, gentleman, who has been duly licensed to practice law in the 
courts of this Commonwealth, on his motion hath leave to practice in this court; 
and thereupon the said A. G. Reger appeared in court, and took the several oaths 
required by law." 

For more than forty-nine years the name of Albert G. Reger has been a 
household word in almost every family in this county. As a lawyer, he was faith- 
ful, studious, diligent and untiring in his eflforts to advance, protect or defend the 
interests of his clients. With him, no work was too laborious, no assiduity too 
intense, if required for the protection of their lives, liberty or property. Careful 
in the preparation and management of his causes ; constant in his attention to the 
sinallest details of practice, he was rarely taken at a disadvantage or thrown oflf 
his guard, and the professional adversary who was so fortunate as to gain any 
legal advantage over him in the management of a cause, had good reason to be 
proud of his victory. 

As an advocate he was earnest, forceful, eloquent and effective; and often, 
when his cause seemed hopeless he would at some unseen loop hole escape the 
impending peril and wrest victory from defeat. 

He was the Chesterfield of the Bar ; polite and courteous to all, and punctili- 
ous to a fault. 

In politics, he was first, last and always a Virginian, loving his native State 
with a devotion never surpassed by any of her distinguished sons ; ready to stake 
his life, liberty and property, if need be, in defence of her "sacred honor." 

Such a man could not be confined to the walks of private life. His Demo- 
cratic fellow citizens in 1852 and again ini856 , appreciating his sterling qualities, 
nominated and elected him Sena'or fnr the 48th Senatorial district, then composed 
of the counties of Upshur, Barbour, Lewis, Gilmer, Randolph and Tucker, which 
position he filled with credit and ability for the period of eight years. 

In the darkest hours of his country's peril his faith in the ultimate triumph 
of Democratic principles never wavered for a moment. When civil war with 
horrid front threatened destruction to his native state, he stopped not to count the 
cost, nor to consider on which standard victory might ultimately perch. He laid 
all he had upon her altar and for weal or woe cast his fortunes with Virginia. In 
May, 1861, he received a Major's commission in the Army of Virginia, and spent 
four years of the civil war in her service, and in the service of the Confederate 
States. 

Returning to his home in April, 1865, as a paroled prisoner of war. "without 



548 FAMILY HISTORY. 

shame and without reproach," he resumed the practice of his profession, in which 
he continued, until faihng health compelled him to cease from its labors. 

As a private citizen he was kind, generous and obliging ; his hospitality was 
that of an "old Virginia gentleman," genial and cordial to all who crossed his 
threshhold. 

He intermarried with Miss Mary Seay, of the county of Fluvanna, Virginia, 
on the i6th day of May, 1844, by whom he had six children. 

Maj. Reger was the oldest member of the Philippi Bar, and a brother beloved 
of the Order of Ancient Free and .Vccepted Masons who, with Masonic honors 
laid his remains to rest in the narrow house prepared for all the living, there to 
await the resurrection of the just. 

' ,Requicscat in pace." 

Major A. G. Reger's children : 

Heningham R. Reger, married D. Gall. 

Dr. Alfred G. Reger, married Margaret E. Barnes. 

Shelton Reger, married Ella Bonn. 

John T. Reger, married Mary C. Curry. 

Mary Alberta Reger, married M. A. Pitts. 

Willie Reger, married C. L. Steel. 

THE REV. A. A. REGER. 

THE REV. ALFRED A. REGER was the son of Maj. Abram Reger and his 
wife Leah Brake Reger, and was born November 11, 1822^ in what is now known 
as Upshur County, West Virginia. He was favored in his birth, inheriting many 
noble traits of character from his ancestors. "His mother was especially made a 
blessing to him ; he frequently referred to her, both publicly and in social circles, 
and as long as he lived observed each recurring anniversary of her death." Many 
years ago in writing to a friend he said : "My mother's death was the immediate 
cause of my giving my heart to Jesus, which I did June 5, 1835." Though his 
early literary advantages were limited, such was his desire of knowledge, and 
his natural intellectual ability and untiring effort as a student, that he compared 
very favorably with the ministers of his period. November 25, 1840, at a 
quarterly meeting held in Weston, Yz.., he was licensed to preach. The Rev. 
Hunter, P. E.. and the Rev. A. A. Jimison, preacher, even then he was recognized 
as an unusually promising young man. In 1841 he was received on trial in the 
Pittsburg conference. July 16, 1843, be was ordained Deacon by Bishop Joshua 
Soule, in Elizabethtown, July 6, 1845, be was ordained Elder by Bishop Hamlin. 
After this for 24 years he labored most acceptably and successfully in his native 
State, filling some of the best appointments — was twice appointed P. E., first on the 
Charleston District and afterwards on the Parkersburg District. In all his vari- 
ous fields of labor he was blessed with more or less success. 

The subject of this sketch was fortunately and happily married June 6, 1843, 
to Miss Frances A. Ludington, a true and noble woman, one in every way adapted 
to the high calling of a minister's wife, who, wherever their united lot was cast 
left an enviable record, and constantly encouraged her husband onward and up- 
ward in his ministerial and intellectual achievements. About 1869, he with his 
family moved to Illinois, where he filled several appointments with great accepta- 
bility, but unfortunately his voice which had been seriously impaired for several 
years before, entirely failed and he was placed upon the retired list, but until the 
close of life he was intensely alive to every interest connected with the Church, 



FAMILY HISTORY. 549 

and never so happy as when working for the Master. He died in Secor, 111., 
on the morning of the 22d of June, 1902, in the 8ist year of his age. Of their 
four children, Horace, Jennie, Willie and James, only the oldest and 
youngest are now living. 

THE REV. JOHN W. REGER, D. D. 

February 5, 181 5, there came to the home of John Reger and his good wife, 
Elizabeth West Reger, their first littile grandson, with hair, "as dark as the raven's 
wing," and eyes like his mother's, "blue gray," steady and resolute. While still 
quite young he gave indications suggestive of the strong will, tireless energy, and 
perseverance which were the dominant characteristics of his entire life- "They 
called his name John, for the grandfather, and West for the grandmother. He 
was their petted darling, their pride and joy. The grandfather taught him the 
craft of the hunt and chase, and the mysteries of the forest ; also to shoot and 
swim, and row his boat ; meanwhile he filled the boy's plastic mind with traditions 
and legends calculated to inspire manhood to highest effort and enterprise. The 
lad's father lived only a very short distance from the grandfather, still little John, 
for reasons best known to himself preferred to spend most of his time under the 
hospitable roof, which had first sheltered him. His report was calculated to in- 
duce the belief that in culinary arts his grandmother greatly excelled all who 
succeeded her — especially in the cooking of bear, deer and possum meats ; while 
her "corn hoe-cake" was beyond all compare. The "schoolmaster" made his home 
with the grandparents, and as soon as the little lad could cling to his shoulders, 
he was carried to and fro to the school, (a distance of nearly two miles) on the 
Master's back. Little John learned with amazing rapidity and was ever hunger- 
ing for greater knowledge and ready to take advantage of any opportunity 
afforded him. 

All life for him seemed full of good cheer, hope and promise, till in the late 
hours of a dark and stormy night, he was awakened by his father's voice, bidding 
him, "ride with all haste to Clarksburg, 30 miles away, and bring a doctor for his 
mother," as he caught a hurried passing glimpse of the dear suflferer, her last 
words to him were, "John, ride fast." Alas, it was too late. 

Through all the years of his life he never referred to his mother but with deep 
feeling and great tenderness. On June 9, 1835, he was converted at a Methodist 
Campmeeting, held near the present site of Reger Church, in passing which he 
frequently referred with emotion to his conversion, often repeating his favorite 
hymn, 

"There is a spot to me more dear. 
Then native vale or mountain, etc." 

which only a few hours before his death, he requested might be sung at his 
funeral. 

Perhaps some might be interested to know that this historic church was built 
one mile south of Burnersville (now Volga) on land donated during 1810 by 
John Reger, Sen., and was the first church built above Morgantown, "On the 
waters of the Upper Monongahela." In size, the structure was about 30 by 4o 
feet, built of hewn logs, with benches made by splitting small trees in halves, with 
the flat side dressed smooth. This church was used as a place of worship for 30 
years, when it was replaced by a larger edifice. Some of the men most distin- 
guished in the early history of the M. E. Church, have preached on or near this 



r)50 FAMILY HISTORY. 

spot, and hundreds of "souls in glory now" were here started on their Heaven- 
ward journey. 

After his mother's death, for a short time John W. Reger attended the 
Academy in Clarksburg. The following are his own words: "In 1836 I was 
licensed as an Exhorter by B. F. Sedgwick, P. E. July 17, 1837, at a quarterly 
meeting held on French Creek, I was licensed to preach, J. G. Sampson, P. E., and 
sent as junior preacher to Randolph circuit, which then extended from Mingo 
Flats on the head of the Tygart's Valley River to the green glades in Allegheny 
County, Maryland. Rich, Cheat and Allegheny mountains were within the cir- 
cuit, lending variety to the surpassingly beautiful landscapes, which though grand 
and beautiful in summer, were intensely cold and bleak in winter." 

"This circuit was about three hundred miles in extent. Tygarts Valley River 
and Leading Creek had to be frequently crossed, which, especially during the 
win'er season, was often attended with great difficulty and extremely hazardous." 
In those days "of the long, long ago," this circuit of vast distances, 
lofty mountains, rapid streams, and almost impassable snow drifts, 
usually bore the cognomen of "Brush College." Thither the elders were 
wont to send the young men of the Conference, "to try their mettle" ; 
if for an entire year they performed all the duties here assigned tHem, they le- 
ceived the distinction of graduate of "Brush College," which was sportively borne 
by a number of the most distinguished members of the West Virginia Conference. 
In 1838 John W. Reger was admitted to the Pittsburg Conference and 
appointed to Middletown Circuit. 'In 1840, Shadrack Chaney, Sen., preacher, 
John W. Reger, Jr., preacher, were appointed to Kingwood Circuit, which a! that 
time consisted of 10 appointments, requiring a journey of about 125 miles 
on each round. During this year there was a most gracious revival on this entire 
work, and hundreds were added to the church. The salaries were as follows: 
Jas. G. Sanson, P. E., $16.25; S. Chany, with a large family received $183.35; 
John W. Reger, $66.25. I" 1841, J. W. Reger was appointed preacher in charge 
on the Little Kanawha Circuit. Here he and his "new wife" were boarded and 
received during the year, $42.00 as quarterage. In this reference to finance no 
invidious comparison is intended, but merely referred to as a suggestive represent- 
ation of that period. These were average circuits and average salaries, as is 
shown by statistics. Would that eloquence might be given the writer to portray 
as other lips (now, alas! silent), have done — the great-hearted, cordial, generous 
hospitality extended to the early "circuit riders" and their families. "The dwel- 
lers in cabins made them forget they were not in palaces." This circuit was 
formed in 1800, and is represented as an "immense territory" lying on the Little 
Kanawha River below Wheeling, which before 1842 had doubtless been sub- 
divided. 

In 1842 he was sent to Waynesburg Circuit. Here his health failed, and he 
was temporarily located. In 1849, he was appointed to Monongalia Circuit, 
where there was a very great awakening, and about four hundred accessions to 
the Methodist Church, but alas ! for the poor preacher when the year closed, his 
physicians, among whom was Dr. McLain, Sen., of Morgantown, gave no hope 
that even though his life should be spared, he could ever preach again, those were 
very dark and gloomy days, but in June, 1852, he considered himself sufficiently 
recovered to resume what he so sincerely deemed his life mission, and was,' 
appointed to Pruntytown. 1854 made Presiding Elder of Guyandotte 
District. 1859, stationed in Grafton. i860. Presiding Elder of Parkersburg 
District. Having the courage of his convictions, he enlisted as a private in the 



FAMILY HISTORY. 551 

7th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and on September 2, 1861, he was mustered 
into the service, some time after he was elected and commissioned Chaplain, serv- 
ing as such until after the Battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg 
and Gettysburg. Some time after the latter, from a severe sun stroke, he was 
incapacitated for duty and resigned as Chaplain. His conference, hoping for his 
recovery, appointed him Presiding Elder of Clarksburg District ; also in con- 
junction with Dr. James Drummond, and The Rev. J. L. Clark, elected him as a 
Delegate to the General Conference, which met in Philadelphia in 1864. How- 
ever, as soon as sufficiently recovered, he felt it his duty as a patriot, to again 
offer his services to the Government, and was appointed Chaplam of Grafton 
Hospital, where he remained until the war closed. Between himself and "the 
boys" of the gallant 7th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, there always existed 
sentiments of warmest comradeship, his pride in their dauntless valor, and splen- 
did achievements knew no bound, and the memory of their honored dead, who fell 
on so many battlefields was ever sacred to his heart. After the war closed he 
returned to his native county, and in 1866 was appointed to Buckhannon Station. 
During his two years pastorate here there was a very great revival, and many 
accessions to the church. After this he served two years on the Buckhannon 
Circuit and four years as Presiding Elder of Buckhannon District. Always a 
tireless worker, whom no discouragement could dismay, and no defeat could halt, 
he still continued to labor in all the adjacent appointments, as strength and oppor- 
tunity afforded. 

For several years preceding his retirement from the active work, he, with 
quite a number of his brethren in the ministry, and also many influential laymen, 
had been very desirous for the establishment of a school of high grade, within the 
bounds of the West Virginia Conference. With the Rev. J. W. Reger this 
became an intense desire and it was said by many present at the Annual Confer- 
ence which met in Grafton, March 11, 1877, that the best oratorical effort of his 
life was made on a resolution — "to locate and build a Conference Seminary," and 
so great was his solicitude as to its fate, that when the victory was won by an 
affirmative vote, he wept like a child. 

After this his interest seemed to center especially in the West Virgmla Con- 
ference Seminary, during the construction of which he spent the greater part of 
his time on the ground. It was said by the workmen "that 'Uncle Johnnie' exam- 
ined every brick, and every stone, used in the construction of the first edifice, and 
that nothing either great or small, connected with the building, escaped hi= scru- 
tiny." However, he was always on the best of terms with those employed, and 
they were ever ready to make any changes which he suggested. In this interest 
he was greatly strengthened and constantly encouraged by his wife. Their 
mutal desire for its success and devotion to its welfare ended only with their lives. 
In its darkest and most discouraging days, Mrs. Reger's faith never faltered — her 
oft-repeated words were — "It is the Lord's work and must go on," to attain 
which they gave liberally of their time, strength, prayers and means. Only a 
few days before his death. The Rev. John W. Reger said to the writer, "The 
crowning act of my life I consider to have been the humble efforts which I made in 
connection with my fellow trustees in the location and building of the West Vir- 
ginia Conference Seminary." 

On July 6, 1893, he passed away in great peace, even after speech had failed 
and sight grown dim, he waved his hand, indicative of Victory. 

Their children : Lee A. E., married Major Jacob Heavner, daughter ; Reta 
B. Brown Heavner, married Frank P. Maxwell, daughter; Virginia Lee Maxwell. 



552 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Mary C, married Col. John L. Hurst, daughter ; Annie Lee Hawthorne, married 
William Pest, Sons: Isaac Hurst Post, John Hawthorne Post. Marion R. 
Hurst, married P. H. Koblegard, son, Hurst Hanson Koblegard. Dr. Robert 
A. Reger, married Margaret T. janney ; daughters, Mary Rebacca and Roberta 
Anna Reger. 

REBECCA ANNA BROWN-REGER. 

About 1735, John Brown, the great grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, was born near Ed'nburgh, Scotland, where he was educated and mar- 
ried Anna Morrow, shortly after which they emigrated to Londonderry, 
Ireland, where he took charge of a large estate, afterwards belonging to 
Lord Beresford. Here he and his wife lived to an old age, enjoying the 
confidence and friendship of all who knew them. Their oldest son, John, 
an officer in the English navy, was lost by the sinking of the "Royal George." 
Their second son, James, married Rachel Hawthorne, and in the autumn 
of 1789 they sailed from Londonderry for Philadelphia, which, after a voyage 
of three months, they reached in safety ; as soon as possible they pursued 
their journey to that part of Monongalia county. West Virginia now known 
as Preston county. Here they purchased land, much, if not all of which is 
still owned by their descendants. On this they erected the first hewed log 
house in all that region of country. Tradition attributes this seeming extrav- 
agance to Rachel, who was through all the years of her life a very high- 
spirited, energetic and progressive woman — one whose vocabulary did not 
include the word "failure." While the home was in process of construction, 
the family occupied the "Green cabin" (which stood about one mile east of 
where Kingwood was afterward located.) There even Rachel's persistent 
determination and physical efforts were insufficient to remove the bloody 
evidences of previous Indian atrocities. As their family increased in years 
and numbers they employed an educated Englishman as tutor for their 
children, who were as follows: 

John C, whose only son was Lieut. James William, a gallant officer in 
Co. A, Seventh W. Va. Vol. Inf., who died from wounds received in battle — 
his daughters, Martha, Julia and Sarah. 

Robert, whose only son was the Hon. J. J. Brown — his daughters, 
Rebecca A.. Eliza J. 

Thomas, whose sons were James A., Adj. Gen. George W., Thomas 
P. R., Commander Robert M. G., the hero of Samoa; John H. and Charles; 
his daughters, Valenda, Delia and Elenor. 

Joseph, whose sons were James W., Lieut. Elisha M., Co. C, Third Reg. 
W. Va. Inf. ; his daughters. Anna and Julia. 

Hon. William G., only child, William" G-, Jr. 

Jane, married the Hon. Davis Bowen. 
Anna, married E. M. Hagans, their only son. Judge M. Hagans, of Cin- 
cinnati ; their daughters, Jane, Lovela, Eliza and Julia. 

From a sketch of the Hon. William G. Brown, which was written about 
1853. we learn that several of his mother's brothers were in America during 
the Revolutionary struggle, and on the records of the Historical Society 
of Pennsylvania the name Hawthorne appears a number of times. Among 
these we find that of John Hawthorne, as having taken the oath of allegiance 



FAMILY HISTORY. 553 

to the colonies and also the date of his enlistment in Col. Thomas Proctor's 
regiment Pennsylvania Artillery, Revolutionary Army. The colonel himself 
was an Irishman, and from the roster it is evident his regiment was largely 
composed of that nationality. The probabilities are that previous to the 
war John Hawthorne had been a seafaring man, for shortly after its close 
he is referred to as Capt. John Hawthorne. His first wife, Mary Calvery, 
who was the mother of his only child, Anna, died during the year 1793. On 
February 25, 1796, he married Miss Elizabeth Rhoads, who survived him 
only a .short time. The following extract from a Philadelphia paper explains 
his death : 

From Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser of Wednesday, July 6, 
1796: "On Monday night, July 4th, about 9 o'clock, Captain John Haw- 
thorne, whose vessel lay at the fort, got into his boat with two of his sailors, 
in order to come up to this city. Opposite to Red Bank they were upset 
by the wind, by which the Captain was drowned, but the two men were 
taken up by a shallop." 

Captain John Hawthorne in his will, written some months previous to 
his death, appointed his brother Robert as his administrator, also as guar- 
dian for his little daughter, Anna. This brother traveled from Morgantown 
to Philadelphia on horseback and returned, he and his little ward riding the 
same horse. To the fidelity and affection of this kind uncle the writer has 
heard frequent mention made by his grateful niece, who was most tenderly 
reared by her father's family, who then lived in or near Morgantown, (now) 
West Virginia. There were two maiden aunts. Bell and Jane Hawthorne; 
a bachelor uncle, Alexander Hawthorne ; also two married aunts, Peggie 
Hawthorne-Prentice, and Rachel Hawthorne, wife of James Brown. To 
the latter's son, Robert, Anna Hawthorne was married during the year 1821. 
The husband was a true and noble man, the wife a tender, loving woman, 
so wholly congenial in spirit and purpose that their lives were always in 
perfect harmony. As we think of them, "The shrines of the past are unveiled, 
and the magical rites of reminiscence begin." Again to the eastward of their 
home we see the grand old mountains, their summits iridescent in the first 
golden rays of the rising sun ; while with graceful undulations the soft gray 
mist from the valleys below is gently wreathing hither and thither along 
their rugged sides; the fragrance of lilacs and white honeysuckles is drifting 
through the balmy air; the soft hum of bees and the gentle murmur of the 
rill which flows from the "spring in the cellar," and on through a bed of 
sweet mint is borne to our dreamy senses. To this home of the "long, 
long ago," many hearts through many years have turned with unfailing affec- 
tion, and to this spot of tender memories, as to "love's shrine," pilgrimages 
from afar have been made ; to its pure and peaceful pleasures distinguished 
and scholarly men have rendered eloquent tributes, both spoken and written ; 
reference will be made to only a few — one on March 26, 1902, in the U. S. 
Senate Chamber, by the junior member from Iowa ; also a gem of reminis- 
cence entitled "Why I visit my old home again," which was written by 
the Hon. John J. Brown, some months previous to his demise, which occurred 
August nth, 1905; another, written during the same year by the late Hon- 
orable Victor Brown Dolliver, entitled, "Reviewing the Scenes of My Child- 
hood," in which the writer gives most beautiful expression to the experiences 
and pleasures of a visit he had recently made. Alas ! that he, stalwart and 



554 FAMILY HISTORY. 

strong, so intensely interested in numerous useful activities, in the full 
meridian of successful manhood, should on February 24th, 1907, have sud- 
denly departed this life. For him "there was no death, what seemed so 
was transition." Among his native hills for generations to come his name 
will be remembered, and his memory cherished ; here mothers will teach 
their sons to emulate his noble, generous and manly Christian character, 
his indomitable perseverance, and the splendid achievements of his orator- 
ical genius, which has so many times delighted and swayed vast audiences 
in every state from Maine to the Pacific coast. 

To this home of the past came the sad and lonely, the gay and festive, the 
rich and poor, a!l were welcome and all were blessed in their coming. Now, 
Robert and Anna Hawthorne P.rown, who were the center and source of this 
munificent hospitality are sleeping in the old family cemetery, one mile east of 
Kingood, W. Va. 

"Warm summer sun, 
Shine kindly there, 
Warm southern wind. 
Blow softly there. 
Green sod above. 
Lie light, lie light. 
Good night, dear hearts, 
Good night, good night." 

Their three children were as follows: 

On July I, 1841, The Rev. John W. Reger married their oldest child, 
Rebecca Anna Brown, the subject of this sketch, who was born February i, 1822. 
A woman of rare intelligence, with cheerful, hopeful disposition, and a sympa- 
thetic heart, gentle in spirit, but always finn in her adherence to duty. When 
only nineteen years of age, she left a home in which she was surrounded by all 
that the tenderest affection could provide for her comfort and happiness, and at 
once entered upon the toils, hardships, privations and vicissitudes incident to the 
early ministry of the M. E. Church. No murmur ever escaped her lips. Most 
heroically she endured and patiently co-operated with her husband in his mission 
of preaching the gospel, and as the latter was frequently heard to remark, "what- 
ever of success he had achieved should be attributed to the tireless industry, pru- 
dent economy, self-sacrifice, encouragement and inspiration of his wife." Where- 
ever her house was, there was a home for the itinerant preachers, and her will- 
ing hands never grew tired in ministrations to their comfort. Perhaps there are 
none now left to remember, but many of the younger ministers, especially those 
belonging to her husband's district, would travel quite a long way that they might 
have access to her husband's library and the benefit of her advice and suggestions. 
Upon these she urged not only the necessity for the highest spiritual and intel- 
lectual attainment, but also the culture and refinement which should ever attend 
their high and holy calling. For fifty years she filled every circle in which she 
moved with the light of a christian example. "Hers was a face and mein that 
mysteriously bore upon it something of the peace of God, a holy calm, a quiet 
strength, a patient sweetness, which can only be attained by those who have, as she 
did, lived very near their God." Reference has been made elsewhere to her 
great interest in the West Virginia Conference Seminary (now College), which 
at times was so intense that she would spend the greater part of the night in 
prayer for its success. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 555 

Her going to "The Beyond" was calm and gentle, as her life had always been, 
and her last whispers, as her "feet were slipping over the brink" were 
— '"Peace, Peace." 

Their only son, the late Hon. John J. Brown of Morgantwn, West Virginia, 
was an eminent lawyer, scholar, and statesman, and a devout christian. In 1852 
he married Emma Ludington ; his second wife, Mary E. Gay. See history of 
Monongalia county, West Virginia, by Samuel T. Wiley, published in 1883, page 
283. 

During 1854, the Rev. James J. Dolliver married their youngest daughter, 
Eliza J. Brown, and together this devoted husband and wife labored for many 
years with unremitting zeal and most abundant success in the itinerant field of the 
West Virginia Conference, where as a sweet fragrance the memory of their coo- 
secrated lives still linger in many homes and many hearts. 

DR. ROBERT A. REGER. 

Dr. Robert A. 1' r^cr, son of Rev. John W. Reger and Rebecca Anna Brown 
Reger, was bom in Charleston, Va., September 23, 1857. His education was ob- 
tained in the best school of his period, supplemented by a course at Jefferson 
Medical College, where he received his degree of M. D., since which time, with 
the exception of a term in the Legislature of his state, his life has been devoted 
to his profession, in which he has been singularly successful. As a physician he 
is sincere, genial, considerate, generous and gentle, not only ministering to the 
physical needs of his patients, but inspiring them with confidence and hope. 

In 1893, immediately after the death of his father, he was in the latter's place 
appointed a trustee of the West Virginia Conference Seminary (now College). 
CloseJy following this occurred the death of Hon. B. F. Martin, who from the 
first had acted as treasurer of the school, and from its inception been one of its 
most active and enthusiastic promoters and generous benefactors. Dr. Reger was 
appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by his demise, a responsibility second to 
no other connected with the institution, one involving great sacrifice, both of time 
and strength. Perhaps he had not yielded, but for the whispers of a sweet and 
gentle voice, now alas ! long silent, saying, "My son, it is the Lord's work and must 
go on." 

In 1907 he resigned as treasurer, and was appointed a member of the Finance 
Committee. Thus the father's mantle continues to rest upon the son. 

.-ANTHONY REGER, son of Abram Reger, who was born, July 23, 1773, 
bom 1812, was the founder and main support of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
m county. First wife was Rachel Pickens of Barbour County. Second wife 

. Third wife, Catherine (Bradley) Long, born in Randolph 

County, November 19, 1830, daughter of William and Mary (Burr) Bradley and 
widow of Washington Long. She married Anthony Reger February 4, 1896, 
who died August 6, 1904, at his home "Under the Oaks" at Buckhannon. 

JOHN J. REGER was born June 4, 1810, on Brushy Fork, was the son of 
Phillip Reger, whose lands he inherited and lived on till his death. 

Married Jemima Kesel, September 12, 1833. Lived together 63 years. 

Children : Montcrville, married Sarah Carper ; Mary Jane, wife of Nicholas 
C. Loudin ; Elizabeth F., wife of James H. Taylor ; Phillip, married Susan Prich- 
ard ; Dian D-, wife of Samuel Loudin. 

Mr. Reger was an enthusiastic member of the Reger Chapel Church, ever 
contributing of his Labor and means to the building or re-building, or repairing 
of the same. 



556 FAMILY HISTORY. 

JOSEPH S. REGER. son of David B. Reger, and grandson of Isaac Reger, 
was born on the 12th day of August, 1847. 

He is a great grandson of Jacob Reger, who left the South Branch of the 
Potomac, near Roinney, about the close of the Revolutionary war, and settled in 
what was then a wilderness on Big Run, in Barbour County, West Virginia, near 
where the village of BurnersviUe or Volga now stands. 

His grandfather moved from the old homestead, near BurnersviUe, to Hackers 
Creek, in what is now Upshur County, in the year 1830, when David B. was a lad 
nine years old. 

David B. was the only living son (his older brother, Phillip, having died when 
quite young) of a family of six children, viz; Ruth, Rebecca, Lydia, Elizabeth. 
David B. and Maria. 

Ruth married John W. Marple and Rebecca married Nicholas McVany. Both 
settled on Hacker's Creek, near the residence of their father, Isaac, where they 
continued to reside until called away from this world. 

Lydia married Henry Jackson, an older brother of S. D. Jackson of Upshur 
County, and moved soon after her marriage to the forks of the Hughes River, in 
Ritchie County, where she died about the year 1872 or 1873. 

Elizabeth married David T. Wolf and about the year 1856, moved to Sullivan 
County, Missouri, where she died in 1893. 

Maria married Nimrod Scott, and moved to Iowa in the year 1851 or 1852, 
where she still resides, the only living member of the family. 

David B. Reger married Elizabeth Neely, February 22, 1844, and commenced 
housekeeping at his father's home on Hackers Creek, where he continued to reside 
imtil the time of his death, which occurred April 12, 1906. 

To David B. and Elizabeth were born three sons and two daughters : Marion 
D., who married Sarah Hinzman ; Joseph S., the subject of this sketch ; Isaac S., 
who married Olive Morrison, and lives at the old Reger homestead on Hackers 
Creek; Mary M., who married Albert J. Marple. formerly sheriff of Upshur 
County, and Angela E., who married Isaac C. Ours, a worthy citizen of Turkey 
Run, who died of Typhoid fever in the fall of 1903. 

Joseph S., while growing up, worked on his father's farm, and occasionally 
attended a subscription school three months in the winter, though sometimes, two 
•or three years elapsed without any school. His opportunities for learning were 
few and poor. The teachers employed, though commendable persons, were usually 
of very limited scholarship, and could teach nothing except spelling, reading, 
writing and a little arithmetic. 

The books in his home were few, but were read and re-read initil the con- 
tents became, as it were, a part of his own mind. Newspapers were almost 
barred as being not worth the cost, and as useless consumers of valuable time. 

However, after the adoption of the present free school system, the qualifi- 
cations of teachers improved, and he was enabled to add to his meager learning a 
scanty knowledge of geography and English grammar. 

Thus equipped, at the age of twenty, he applied I0 the County Superintendent 
of Schools, Captain J. Loomis Gould, for a teacher's certificate, and obtained a 
No. 3, which was considered medium, there being at that time, five grades granted. 

That winter. 1867-8, he taught his first school, receiving ninety dollars for 
his labor, fifty of which because he was not twenty-one years old, he gave to his 
father, spending the remaining forty dollors in buying clothes and books and 
.attending two teachers' institutes, one at Lost Creek, Harrison County, and one at 



FAMILY HISTORY. 557 

French Creek, Upshur County, both conducted by Prof. W. R. White, the first 
State Superintendent of Schools of West Virginia. 

In 1870, he received his first No. i certificate, with which grade he con- 
tinued to teach, during the winter season, with the exception of a few intervals, 
until the winter of 1890-91, after which he gave up school work and gave his atten- 
tion more particularly to his farm. 

He was married June 6, 1872, to Sirene Bunten, youngest daughter of James 
Bunten, who in an early day, came from New England and settled on the Buck- 
hannon River at Sago, Upshur County, and built the mills which long bore his 
name. 

Mrs. Reger almost claims to be of Puritanical descent, her mother being a 
Morgan, whose ancestors came from England to New England in 1836, sixteen 
years after the landing of the Pilgrims. 

Her grandfather, Zedekiah Morgan, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 
and Quartermaster of one of the New England regiments. 

Her three brothers, Watson M., Burnham A., and Walter B. D., were Federal 
soldiers in the late Civil War, Watson serving as Lieutenant in an Illinois regi- 
ment, and Buniham and Walter in the Third West Virginia Infantry. 

Watson was severely wounded at Pittsburg Landing and badly wounded at 
Missionary Ridge, but survived the war, married and settled at Crawford, Lewis 
County, and built the mill, which bears his name, near which place he died in 1899, 
having devoted the last years of his life to farming. 

Burnham died of typhoid fever in hospi':al at Buckhannon. W. Va., in the 
winter of 1862, and Walter, having been captured and taken to Andersonville 
prison, is supposed to have died there, not having been heard from since he was 
conveyed to the prison Hospital. 

Mrs- Reger's three sisters were named, Sarah A.. Elsey R. and Hattie. 
Sarah married George C. Moore, and lived at Sago, Upshur County until the 
death of her husband, since which time she has resided among her children. 

Elsey R., married T. F. Payne, and about the close of the Civil War moved to 
Missouri, and died in Appleton City in 1893. 

Hattie taught school a number of years, married John W. Wilson of French- 
ton, Upshur County, and died in the winter of 1906. 

To Joseph S. and wife were born three sons, Roy, born April 21, 1874; Carl, 
born October 2, 1878, and David Bright, born April 11, 1882. 

Roy, after graduating at the West Virginia Conference Seminary at Buckhan- 
non, W. Va., took the A. B. and also the military course at the West Virginia Uni- 
versity, graduating as Captain of Cadets. After teaching three years in the S'ate 
Normal Schools of West Virginia, he went to the Philippines, where he taught two 
years in the native schools, after which he returned to America, took the Law 
course in the West Virginia Univ-ersity, and is, at this writing, in the practice of 
law at Buckhannon, W. Va. 

Carl, having taken the Seminary course at Buckhannon, studied Architecture 
by Correspondence with the International Correspondence School of Scranton, 
Pa., and after having some practical experience, spent one year at the Seminary 
at Buckhannon. studying the higher mathematics, after which he devoted one 
year to the study of Architecture in the University of Pennsylvania at Philadel- 
phia. He supervised the erection of the West Virginia Preparatory School build- 
ing at Keyser, W. Va., and also the new West Virginia Wesleyan College build- 
ing at Buckhannon. 



558 FAMILY HISTORY. 

He is at present supervising the erection of a large depot and hotel combined 
for the Santa Fe R. R. Company at Ash Fork, Arizona. 

David Bright, having also graduated at the West Virginia Conference 
Seminary, and having spent two years in post graduate work at the same school, 
and one term at the West Virginia University, and three summers in United States 
Geological Survey work in West Virginia, is now making a survey of the United 
States Naval Station, at Guantonamo, Cuba. 

Joseph S., was Census Enumerator for Warren District, Upshur County, in 
1880, and also in 1890, having received the first appointment from Gen. George 
R. Latham, and the second from Hon. George M. Bowers. 

He served three terms as Associate Teachers' Examiner for Upshur County ; 
First, with Gen. George R. Latham as County Superintendent ; second, with Prof. 
Robt. A. Armstrong as Superintendent, and third with Mr. Luke P. Brooks as 
Superintendent. In 1877, he was elected Superintendent of Schools for Upshur 
County, and served one term of two years. 

In 1894, he was elected County Commissioner, and served one term of six 
years, during which time our present Court House, Jail and Sheriff's residence 
were built. 

In 1901, he was appointed Notary Public by Governor Geo. W. Atkinson, 
which position he still holds. 

He was elected delegate from Buckhannon Circuit to the West Virginia Lay 
Electoral Conference of the M. E. Church, which met at Morgantown in 1879; 
to the Conference which met in Wheeling in 1883; to the Conference which met 
at Buckhannon in 1895, ^"d also to the Conference which met in Wheeling in 1903, 
and also the Conference which met at Huntington in 1907. 

He was Steward for Pleasant Valley Class, Buckhannon Circuit, M. E. 
Church, for thirteen years, and at the present writing, is Class Leader for the 
same class, which position he has held about three years. 

He lives on Hackers Creek near where he was bom, and as a farmer, he 
believes in large crops from small areas, rather than small crops from large areas. 
He also believes it pays better to raise one fine horse than two scrubs. 

MARSHALL REGER, born February 16, 1833, in Barbour County, son of 
Jacob Reger. Was raised on a farm and still farming, is direct descendant of 
Jacob Reger the ancestor of all the Reger family hereabouts and owned the first 
clock among the early settlers on the Buckhannon River, bringing it across the 
mountains as a gift of his German forefather. 

Marshall Reger married Mary Elizabeth Hinkle, daughter of Job Hinkle 
and their children are: Columbus, Charles, Margaret. Ouillin. 

JESSE R. REGESTER. is a farmer of Warren~District, living near Rural 
Dale. His parents were Joseph Regester and Elizabeth Baker, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. His father moved from Pennsylvania to Harrison County, and then to 
Upshur County, settling on the waters of Hackers Creek. 

Married Caroline White, daughter of Roswell White, a Union soldier and 
Mary Westfall. Child : Clara May Regester, the wife of Oscar F. Mick. 

His grandchildren are: Gladys Nina Mick, Leila Esther Mick, Roger W. 
Mick and Felton Scott Mick. 

ARTHUR REESE, contractor, and Mayor of South Buckhannon for 1907. 
Was born April 3, 1867. on Hickory Flat. His parents were Samuel and Caroline 
(Dunbar) Reese. His grandparents were, Solomon and Elizabeth (Flinchbaugh) 
Reese. He was educated in the public schools and summer normals in and around 
his home, after which he taught one year and turned his attention to carpenter- 



FAMILY HISTORY. 559 

ing which trade he has followed since. He has been a contractor and a manu- 
facturer of artificial stone in Buckhannon. Has served on the Council of South 
Buckhannon and was Sargeant for one year. During the summer of 1907 he was 
superintendent of the Elkins Planing Mill Company. 

July 27, 1902, he married Celia Phillips, a daughter of Simeon and Nancy 
R. (Bodkins) Phillips and to this marriage have been born two children, whose 
names are : Seward Phillips, born June 3, 1903, and Xenna, born April, 1906. 

Mr. Reese owns a splendid home in South Buckhannon. 

SOLOMON ALLEN REESE, merchant and gardener, was born October 
3, 1864. Son of Samuel and Caroline Matilda (DeBarr) Reese. He married 
Huella Catherine Foster, daughter of John A. Foster and Elizabeth (Strader) 
Foster, October 20, 1887. 

Children : Matilda Elizabeth, born December 14, 1888, now blind, caused by 
typhoid fever at the age of — years ; Icy Odell, born April i, 1892 ; ; Samuel Paul, 
born October 20, 1895 ; Tressie Mabel, born October 21, 1898; Matthew Anderson, 
born June 29, 1901. 

ALEXANDER CLARK REXROAD was born June 15, 1867. The son of 
Balser Rexroad and Harriet (Samples) Rexroad, who was a daughter of Amos 
Samples. 

Balser Rexroad was the son of George Rexroad and Elizabeth Rexroad of 
Highland County. He came to this county in an early day and bought land on 
the headwaters of Cow Run, and cleared about 100 acres. 

Children: Mary Ann, Sarah, Naoma, Lydia E., Rachel J., George, A., Balser. 

Alexander Clark Rexroad, the subject of this sketch is occupied in saw mill- 
ing and lumber. 

He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

ROBERT BROWN REXROAD, born January 26, 1859, i" Upshur County, 
was married April 23, 1891, to Mrs. Jane Butcher, who was born September 22, 
1863. Her maiden name was Thomas, a daughter of Joseph and Jane Thomas, 
who emigrated from Wales in 1859. Her first husband was Homer L. Butcher. 
Their children were : Jennie Lee, Bessie lova. 

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Rexroad: Robert William, Nellie Lucetta, Icy 
Edna, Jessie Francis, Mary Jane, Paul Ervil. 

The subject of this sketch is a son of Thomas and Sarah Rexroad, natives of 
Highland County, Virginia, who came to Frenchton in 1847, and six years later 
settled near what is now known as Canaan, and lived there during their long and 
useful lives, except the years of the Civil War, when they moved to Lewis County. 
His parents were pioneer settlers in that section of the county. 
Thomas Rexroad and wife were married September 3, 1842, and lived together as 
man and wife for more than fifty years, he dying a few days after the celebration 
of their fiftieth anniversary of wedded life, and she dying thirteen days after. So 
they were one in life and one in death. 

Their son. Rev. John C. Rexroad, died four days after his mother's death. 
Two of their daughters married ministers, thus they must have been in living 
accord with the Church to which they belonged and were faithful members for 
forty-seven years. 

Thomas Rexroad took the Christian Advocate from the time of its first 
publication until his death. 

The subject of this sketch and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, 
and workers in the same. He lives at the old homestead, which originally em- 



560 FAMILY HISTORY. 

braced 800 acres of land. He has been Constable of Banks District and a mer- 
chant. He is now a farmer and merchant. 

WILLIAM HENRY REXROAD was born July 4, 1863. Was married Feb- 
ruary 10, 1884, to Susan Jane (Kellison) Rexroad, who was born June 13, 1861. 
Children: Nathan, Murice, Bulah, born April 28, 1894, died December 5, 1897. 
Glenn, Otis Schuyler, Ora May. Nathan began teaching school at the age of 
seventeen years and is now a telegraph operator. Maurice commenced teaching 
at the age of sixteen. 

Mr. Rexroad is the son of Nathan Rexroad and Julia (Eagle) Rexroad. 
His grandparents were John and Sarah A. (Ramsey) Rexroad. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rexroad are both members of the M. E. Church and reside on 
a farm near Centerville. 

ZACHARIAH PIERPONT REXROAD, was born at Harrisville, July 8, 
1842, son of Addison Rexroad and Catherine Sinnett, a native of Pendleton 
County, Va., was raised on a farm and in a store and at the outbreak of the war, 
enlisted in Company B, 6th West Virginia Volunteers, enlisted August 20, 1861, 
served throughout the war, was hit on the head by one bullet, which left a visible 
scar from which disability he draws a pension. In 1864, while on a furlough he 
met and married Elizabeth Pugh, at Clarksburg, and to this union have been bom 
fourteen ch'ldren, ten now living: Ella, Ihe wife of Giles Hannatt, Icy May, wife 
of Henry Brinker; Hanna, wife of Andrew Layfield ; Elizabeth, wife of Andrew 
Jackson ; Charles, George William, Wheeler, Olive, wife of Clifton Sears, and 
Harvey, who married Tracy Brinker. Mr. Rexroad is of German extraction on 
his father's side and Irish on his mother's, his great grandfather, Patrick Sennett, 
being a Revolutionary soldier. 

Mr. Rexroad entered the army as Orderly Sergeant, and was promoted to 
Second Lieu'enant before the war closed. 

JOHN JOSEPH REYNOLDS, born 1834, in Virginia. The son of Watson 
Reynolds, who emigrated from Virginia in 1842, settling on the headwaters of 
Little Peck's Run. Married Barbara Ann Rohr, daughter of Philip Rohr in 
1856. and their children were: Granville, Nannie, wife of Calvin Douglass, Homer 
W., Charles Wesley. 

Homer W. Reynolds was born November 4, 1862, was raised on a farm, edu- 
cated in the public schools and traded in live stock until he was employed by the 
Century Coal Company to option and take up coal in Warren District. He worked 
at the coal business four years and then went back to farming. He now owns a 
farm in Lewis County and is proprietor of a livery and feed stable in Buckhannon. 

He married Vada Marple, daughter of Albinas Marple and Mary Jane Post, 
in March, 1884. Children, Floy, wife of Ira Queen, Rosa and Freda. 

Mr. Reynolds has held but one political ofifice, that of Justice of Peace of 
Warren District for eight years. 

FRED LAWWILL RHODES, of Cottageville, W. Va., is a student of the 
West Virginia Wesleyan College. Was born February 23, 1890, the son of Daniel 
Webster Rhodes and Sallie (Lawwille) Rhodes. His father is one of the largest 
farmers in Jackson County, owning and operating a farm of fifteen hundred acres, 
near the Oh^o River, besides farming, he is also engaged in the mercantile business 
and owns and operates a large flour mill at Cofageville. The father of the subject 
of this sketch is a prominent politic'an of Jackson County and among the offices 
held by him was that of sheriff. Brothers and sisters: Susie Ida, Daniel D., Jr., 

JOHN WILLIAM RICE, born August 27, 1868, and married March 24, 



FAMILY HISTORY. 561 

1892, to Lourena Alice Haymond, who was born September 30, 1874, and their 
children are : Rosa Ellen, Dalpha Agnes, Ivy Pearl, Inzie Mabel, William Edward, 
James Marshall, Florence Bell. 

Mr. Rice and his wife are members of the Eden M. E. Church. He is a 
farmer, owns 125 acres of land, mostly improved and has an orchard of 125 trees. 
He is a son of Lewis Rice, the son of Jonathan Rice, the son of Ruben Rice, who 
came from England in an early day. 

The subject of this sketch is a Republican in Politics. 

JONATHAN M. RIFFLE, son of George S. Riffle and Rebecca (McCart- 
ney) Riffle, who was the daughter of Thomas McCartney and Sarah Bennett. 

George S. Riffle was a soldier in Company B, loth W. Va., during the Civil 
War. Was married three times and raised a family of twenty-three children, of 
which the subject of this sketch was the fourth child by the first wife. 

Jonathan M. Riffle was born October 15, 1842. Was raised on a farm in 
Lewis County and at the outbreak of the war enlisted in Company B, loth West 
Virginia Infantry, wherein he served three years and contracted disabilities such 
as now obtain for him a pension of $17 per month. 

He now lives in Bank's District, owns a farm of seventy acres on Kanawha 
Run, where he and his wife, who was formerly Nancy P. Strader, daughter of 
John Strader. Jr., who was the son of John Strader, Sr., and Mary B. Wolfe, 
Mr. Riffle is a deacon and local preacher in the M. E. Church, is a Republican 
in politics and is proud of the fact that his father and three brothers served with 
him in Company B. during the war. 

ALEXANDER RIGGS, born January 15, 1815, in Marshall County, Va., 
and was twice married, first to Margaret J. Thompson, and second, to Mary 
Strader, was a farmer and died January 19, 1900. 

JERRY RINGER, was born October 9, 1858, in Taylor County. Son of 
Daniel and Louisa (Hilaman) Ringer of Pa. Louisa Hilaman was a daughter 
of Peter Hilaman. Daniel Ringer was a son of Abraham Ringer of German de- 
scent, he seltled in Upshur County in 1873, on Mill Seat Run, in Bank's District 
and there owned and cleared out a farm and raised a family of four children: 
Millie, wife of A. J. Curry ; Albert married a Miss McCue ; Elijah, who married 
Dora B. Bennett, daughter of James Bennett, and Jerry, the subject of this sketch, 
who was in a coal mine explosion in 1884, at Youngstown, Pa., when 14 miners 
were killed, all except himself. He married Barbara E. Miller, a daughter of 
W. L. and Martha (Myers) Miller of Barbour County, and to this union have 
been born three children : Flora Bell, wife of J. R. Holland of Grafton, W. Va- ; 
William Elsworth, born October 20, 1892, and Emma, born April i, 1896. 

The subject of this sketch lives near Alexander, owns a farm of 125 acres, is 
a member of the Ridgley Lodge No. 995, Odd Fellows of Fairchance, Pa., since 
1886. Is a Democrat in politics. 

JAMES S. ROBY, was born June 15, 1838, and was married January 8, 
i860, to Elizabeth P. Butler, who was bom January 12, 1857, and their children 
are: Burton, who married Nevada Alman ; Minta, the wife of Luther Hefner; 
John N., Flora, Icy Ellen, Clearence S., who married Libbie Cox, and Alice A., 
dead. 

Mr. Roby is a son of John and Elizabeth (Hart) Roby, and the grandson of 
Elkana and Charlotte (Barnet) Roby of Rochester, England, who immigrated to 
to the United States in 1778, these last came first to Pennsylvania, then to Lewis 
County, Va. Charlotte Barnet was a native of Germany and met and married 
Mr. Roby in New York City. The Harts are of Irish descent. 



562 FAMILY HISTORY. 

The wife of the subject was the daughter of Benjamin F. Butler, who emi- 
grated from Germany with his father's family at the age of seven, locating in 
Meigs County, Pa., then to Clay County, Va. 

Mr. Roby was a Union soldier, a member of Company A, loth West Virginia 
Volunteers, in which he served over three years and received one severe wound 
from which he is now drawing a pension. He belongs to the U. B. Church, is 
a Republican and lives near Carter Postoffice. 

JACOB ROHR, born 2d day of December, 1836, in Augusta County, Va., son 
of Philip and Anna (Neff) Rohr. Phillip Rohr was a wagon maker, who moved 
to Peck's Run about the year 1845, and raised a family of 14 children there. He 
died in Jackson County, and his wife in Barbour County. 

The subject of this sketch is a second son in this large family, was raised on 
a farm and took up the calling of his father. In 1862 he enlisted in Comptny E, 
locally known as the Upshur Battery, and served therein until the close of the 
war. 

His first wife was Dosia Ann Reynolds, a daughter of Watson Reynolds and 
to them were born six children: Infant; Isabella Virginia, wife of S. P. Ligget; 
Olive C, wife of John Smith; W. M., married a Miss Warner, and Ulysses 
Orlando, who married Olive Warner; Isie V., married a Mr. Bice. His first 
wife died October 22, 1889, and then he married Jane Roney of Gilmer County, 
and their children are : Hoy, E. H., Homer P. 

The subject of this sketch is a farmer of Peck's Run, Warren District, owns 
68 acres of land, member of the U. B. Church and a Republican. 

DAVID MARSHALL RODGERS, born December 19, 1857, on Hackers 
Creek, son of Duff Rodgers and Harriet Wilson, daughter of David M. Wilson 
and Eleanor Rinehart. The Rodgers came from Virginia and the Wilsons from 
Monongalia County 

He is the oldest of eight children. Is a farmer and mechanic, owns ninety- 
nine acres of good land on Hackers Creek. Has been a lay delegate to the General 
Conference of the M. P. Church. 

His first wife was Luvernia Kee, the daughter of George W. Kee and Nancy 
Norman and their children are : Bert E., Harley G.. who married a Miss Law- 
man ; Chloie L., Lettie G., Dale B., and Date A., twins. 
His first wife died in 1900. 

His second wife was the Widow Frances, with one son, Roscoe E., the daugh- 
ter of Addison Marple, who was the son of John W. Marple and Ruth Reger. and 
their children are : Erlo L. and Howard M. 

Mr. Rodgers lives in Lewis County, near the border line of Lewis and 
Upshur. 

PHILLIP ROHR, was born May 15. 1859. son of Phillip Rohr and Annie 
Nefif, of Rockingham County, Va., grandson of Jacob and a Miss Maguire of Vir- 
ginia. In 1878 he went West to Illinois, from there he went to Arkansas, where 
he remained one year and went South to Texas, where he lived twelve years, re- 
turning to West Virginia in 1900. He married Alice Victoria Wilson, daughter 
of Robert Wilson of Lewis County, who is now dead. 

Mr. Rohr is the youngest child of his father's family, owns twenty-four acres 
of land in Warren District, in which he lives and has had the remarkable experi- 
ence of living twenty-seven weeks on the plains of Texas without seeing either a 
house or a woman. 

WILLIAM M. ROHR, born August 17, 1864, owns a farm of 65 acres in 
Warren District on which he lives. Is a son of Jacob Rohr and Docie Reynolds, 



FAMILY HISTORY. 563 

who was the daughter of Watson Reynolds. His father was a soldier in Company 
E, known as the Upshur Battery, wherein he served three years, returned home, 
married Miss Reynolds and raised a family of five children, whose names are : 
Belle v., wife of S. P. Liggett; Olie C, wife of J. W. Flint; Ulysses, married 
Ollie Warner ; O. V., married Sarah Bice. 

The subject of this sketch married Vishta Warner, daughter of William War- 
ner and Celia Casto, and their children are: Dessie May, born March 20, 1889; 
Ollrin, born February 12, 1892; Mertie, born January 18, 1897; Bulah, born 
September 4, 1905. 

Mr. Rohr is a Republican in politics and has held but one office, that of school 
trustee. 

SIMON J. ROHRBOUGH, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hyer) Rohrbough, 
born December 22, 1830. Was a farmer and an eminent exhorter in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. First wife was Margaret Hazelton, daughter of David S. 
and Louisa (Burr) Hazelton, born June 5, 1838. 

Children: Charles L., born June 4, 1855; Carrie L., born April 19, 1858; 
Mary A., born July 3, i860; Annie B., born August 8, 1862. 

Second wife was Julia A. Cutright, daughter of Enoch Cutright. 

Children : Melrose E., Minnie J., Osborne B., Laura, Emma Catherine, Ellen 
E., Edgar H., Wilbur, Mercia and Birdie. 

Of these five are dead and five are living. 

He died at HinklesviUe, on a farm, where his widow still lives. 

W. L. ROHRBOUGH, son of George M. Rohrbough and Louisa Brake 
Rohrbough, was born June 21, 1864, at Buckhannon, Upshur County, W. Va. He 
has been a merchant in Upshur and Barbour Counties and a farmer also, since his 
marriage to Mary M. Teter, daughter of Joseph Teter of Barbour County, on 
October 8, 1885- He now resides at Queens, is postmaster at that place, has 
always been a Republican in politics and a Methodist in religion. His children 
number nine and are named as follows : J. Harold, G. Wilbert, Lillian B.. Agnes 
G., M. Margery, Edna G., Dorinda L., Earl T., and Mary Nell. 

ALBERT GILBERT ROLLINS. Sexton of the Heavner Cemetery, born 
July 12, 1840, son of Hiram and Rachel (Pringle) Rollins, who emigrated from 
the South Branch of the Potomac, to this County, in 1770, their children were: 
Albert Gilbert, Abram S., Paris, Elonzo, Lot, Harrison, Dayton, Elizabeth EUen, 
wife of Calvin Fletcher and Lavernia, wife of John T. Haskins. Albert G., mar- 
ried for his first wife Isabella Smallwood ; Children: Hiram E., Harrison W., 
M. D., Hattie, Lillian, Gertrude, Alberta, Belle, Stella, Philesta, John T., and 
Lena F. 

Some years after the death of his first wife in February 25, 1889, he married 
Mary E. Linger of Lewis County. Children: Darias C, Chaney, Claude C, 
Minnie E.. Louvernia, Ossie, Maud M., and Rosa Lee. 

Mr. Rollins served in the Union Army under Captain S. B. Phillips, volunteer- 
ing July, 1861, was in 16 regular engagements, and his living children number 
twenty 

SCOTT ROLLINS, bom November 25, 1884, son of Austin Rollins and 
Hester L. Tenney and grandson of Edmund Rollins and Sarah Reese and the 
great grandson of Barney Rollins and Catherine Wetherholt, both of English 
extraction, his grandmother was the daughter of Solomon Reese and Elizabeth 
Flynchbough, who came from Augusta County, Va.. and was of German extrac- 
tion. His mother was the daughter of Philo Tenney, Sr., who was the son of 



564 FAMILY HISTORY. 

James Tenney and Thankful Chippie, emigrants from New England to the 
Middle Fork River in the year 1811. 

James Tenney was a Revolutionary soldier and was drawing a pension in 
1842. His grandmother was the daughter of David Casto, and Annie Outright, 
the daughter of John Cutright. David Casto was son of William Casto. The 
subject of this sketch is a farmer and has been living with his mother since the 
death of his father, January 6, 1906. 

His brothers and sisters are : Alonzo and Minerva. 

CHARLES ROSS, school teacher and Minister of the M. E. Church. Was 
born December 3, 1877. Son of James Ross a native of Bath County, Va., who 
immigrated to Harrison County about 1845. His father was a tanner by trade 
and came to Upshur County, settling near Selbyville, about 1875, where he 
operated a tannery during the remainder of his lifetime. His father's wife was 
Catherine Curkendall of Barbour County. James Ross was a soldier in the Civil 
War, belonging to Company A, 13th West Virginia Infantry, in which company 
he served during the Rebellion. His family consisted of 14 children and the 
subject of this sketch is the youngest. 

Charles Ross received his education in the public schools and the West Vir- 
ginia Conference Seminary and then went forth to teach and instruct the youths 
of the County, which he has done for four terms very successfully. 

He married Carrie E. Carpenter, a daughter of Daniel Carpenter of Meade 
District and their children are: Ovid Elsworth, Hoy D., William Garrett, Francis 
Earl and Golda May. 

W. F. ROWAN, born August 14, Thursday, 1873, in Lewis County. Farmer 
in young manhood, and carpenter at present. September 29, 1895, he married 
Allie Westfall, daughter of S. T. Westfall. His father, N. C. Rowan, born 
September 21, 1848, is a native of Lewis County, and is also a carpenter. His 
grandfather was Francis Rowan, the son of Rev. John Rowan of Irish descent. 
His grandmother was Mary Linger and great grandmother, Elizabeth Howard of 
Irish descent. The Rev. John Rowan was a preacher, a physician, in which 
capacity he served in the Revolutionary War. His father, N. C., was a member 
of the 31st Virginia, under Nathan Clossen, and his mother was Elizabeth J. 
Harris, the daughter of William Harris, the son of George Harris of Lewis 
County. The subject of this sketch has five brothers and four sisters: W. F., 
Alice v., George W., Matthew H., James A., C- L.. Cora and Carey, twins, 
Ella M., John H. Mr. and Mrs. N. C. Rowan are members of the U. B. Church. 
They all live in and near Buckhanno. 

ISAAC L. RUBLE, born January 28, 1841, in Leweston, Pa. Son of John 
Ruble and grandson of Michael of Pennsylvania. Raised a farmer, educated in the 
common schools and Rock River Seminary, Illinois, from which institution he 
graduated. He entered in the employ of T. R. R., as an operator, then became 
fireman and was promoted to Engineer July 10, i860. Was with this railroad 
until 1872 he became an employe of the B. & O. Railroad thereafter, and has 
been engineer on the Parkersburg, Wheeling and Monongah divisions. He was 
the first regular engineer to bring a passenger train into Buckhannon, has been 
on this division almost ever since. 

In his capacity as engineer his engine has capsized four times and he has had 
three head on collisions and yet has never lost a life in his whole service. Has 
been passenger engineer for thirty-five years. 

May 8, 1861, he married Mary H. Kerlin of Pennsylvania, daughter of 



FAMILY HISTORY. 565 

David Kerlin. They had one child, Adessa, wife of F. P. Hardv, a lawyer of 
Paris, III 

His second wife was Eva Kerlin, the daughter of Robert Kerlin of Jeannette, 
Pennsylvania. 

MARGARET ELIZABETH RUCKER, daughter of Christian and Amelia 
C. Halterman. Born August 15, 1845, in Hardy County, Va. Her parents were 
of French descent, she married Abram Rucker, a soldier in Company B, xoth 
Virginia, with J. L. Gould as Captain, he lost a leg at the Cedar Creek battle and 
died on his farm near Mt.Nebo, Union District, September 18, 1893. 

Children: Gazelle Elizabeth, Charles Monroe, Seneth AnN, Laura Amelia, 
Luther Alexander, Azyl Jane, Mary Adeline. Grace, Abram, Clarence and Vir- 
ginia. 

ADAM PATRICK RUSMISELL. was a native of Virginia, and the son of 
Adam Rusmisell, whose father, Adam Rusmisell, was son of Adam Rusmisell, 
whose father, Adam, emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania prior to the Rev- 
olutionary War, and was a soldier in that war for his country. Adam P, Rusmi- 
sell was a physician and emigrated from Augusta County to Frenchton about the 
year 1844, settling on the farm now owned by his son, John D. Rusmisell. His wife 
was Ann Eagle of Highland County, Va., and their children were : George W., 
died in Civil War, as a member of Upshur Battery Light Artillery ;Dr. Samuej 
Cooper, Ann Eliza, dead. John D., and Emma, wife of Isaac Jones, deceased. He 
practiced medicine about fifty years, and lived to a ripe old age. 

JOHN DAVID RUSMISELL. born January 5, 1851, at Frenchton, being 
the youngest son, it fell to his lot to stay at home and take care of his parents and 
therefore he completed his education in the public schools of the neighborhood. 
He married Amanda Hull, December 31, 18/4, daughter of James T. Hull and 
Mahala Armstrong. Mr. and Mrs. Hull lived together as man and wife sixty- 
six years and for many years prior to their death, Mr. Rusmisell had to take care 
of them as well as his own family. He is a farmer, owning two hundred, twenty- 
seven and one half acres of land. In politics a Republican, was deputy sheriff 
under A. M. Tenny, Jr., and in religion a Methodist Episcopal. 

His children are: Flora E., Dr. Charles Cooper, Dr. James Adam, Wilda, 
wife of Oscar Duncan, Fred Hull, John Edward and Gay Don. 

His two sons who are physicians graduated from the Maryland Medical 
College at Baltimore, Md., and are now located at Gassawav, W- Va. 

SAMUEL COOPER RUSMISELL, M. D., was born March 18, 1846, at 
Frenchton, W. Va., then Va., son of Adam P. Rusmisell and Ann Eagle. Adam 
P. was a son of Adam, who was the son of Adam, who was the son of Adam, an 
emigrant from Germany, at the age of 18, to serve in defense of the colonies, in 
Washington's regiment. At the close of the Revolutionary War, this Adam 
married a Miss Shumaker, the daughter of a Mrs. Shumaker, who came from 
Germany near three hundred years ago, and brought with her a noodle box, now 
in the possession of the subject of this sketch. The box was used to carry the 
concentrated dough from which noodle soup was made. In 1862, he entered 
Company E, 4th West Virginia Cavalry, and served therein until the regiment 
was discharged. 

He returned home and became a student at the French Creek Academy. He 
then took up the study of medic'ne at Ann Arbor University, and graduated from 
the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, in 1876. He has practiced medicine in 
Barbour and Upshur Counties ever since. He lived at Burnersville, Barbour 
County, 16 years and has lived at Buckhannon 15 years. 



566 FAMILY HISTORY. 

On the i8th day of May, 1876, he married Margaret Virginia Hinkle, the 
(laughter of Job Hinkle and Margaret Hadden Jackson (the granddaughter of 
Jonas Hinkle and Catherine Cooper), whose children were: Mary E., Judson B., 
Cyrus, Foster, Minter J., John S., Margaret V., Job W., Prudence S., and Cath- 
erine R. 

Margaret Hadden Jackson, was a daughter of Edward H. Jackson and 
Rebecca Love, the granddaughter of John Jackson and a Miss Hadden, the daugh- 
ter of David Hadden, and the great granddaughter of John Jackson, who was the 
son of John Jackson and Elizabeth Cummins, English immigrants to America. 

The subject of this sketch has succeeded in the practice of medicine and has 
for his reward a sufficiency of earthly goods to take care of him and his. 

His children are both daughters and the names are: Annie Maud, student at 
Peabody Institute, Baltimore, Md., and Carrie Virginia. 

CHARLES WARREN SCOTT, born in Virginia, December 12, 1839, and 
married Eliza McCray, May 16, 1877, she was born June 27, 1840. 

Children : Margaret Catherine, Lucy Jane, Edward Randolph, William Hut- 
chison, Charles Luther, Robert Amos, Hettie Alletha, Ernest Clawson, Eva Caro- 
line, Ford Huff. 

Charles Luther was a soldier in the U. S. Army and died in service November 
8, 1902. 

Mrs. Scott was a daughter of Robert McCray, who was the son of James Mc- 
Cray an emigrant from Scotland to Pendleton County about the year 181 2. Her 
mother was Margaret Bennett, the daughter of William Bennett, who was the 
father of eleven children, whose names are : Sarah Jane, James, William, Hannah, 
Robert, Rebecca, Evan, Joseph, Jonathan, Mary, Eliza and Charles. 

The subject of this sketch was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
at Rock Cave and has been a loyal worker and supporter of his denomination for 
many years prior to his death, May 30, 1906. 

GEORGE WHITE SCOTT, son of William and Susan (Channel) Scott, 
was born January 17, 1854, in Randolph County, and the grandson of Benjamin 
Ericson Scott, who was born in 1788, on North Fork of the Potomac river, and the 
great grandson of John and Mary Scott of Ireland. His grandfather married 
Jane Currence, daughter of William and Polly Currence of Randolph County. 

The subject of this sketch, October 15, 1881, married Lucy Carpenter, 
daughter of Daniel and Elmira (Weaver) Carpenter and a granddaughter of 
Coonrod Carpenter of Barbour County, who was of German descent. Their 
children are: Celia Catherine, Amelia, Stella, Daniel Freeman and Iris. 

Mr. Scott is a farmer of Washington District. Is a Methodist in religion and 
a Democrat in politics. 

DAVID EDGAR SCOTT, born near Tallmansville, May 22, 1881, son of 
Frank Pierce Scoit and Prudence Shipman, daughter of John B. Shipman. 

David E. Scott was educated in the public school at Buckhannon and at West 
Virginia Conference Seminary. In 1901 he quit school to accept a lucrative posi- 
tion with the Randolph Grocery Company, just newly organized, with its place of 
business at Elkins, W. Va. After one year's service with this company he 
resigned to accept the tellership in the Traders' National Bank at Buckhannon, 
which place he held until December 31, 1905. At the City Election of January, 
1905, he was chosen recorder, which duties, along with his bank work he per- 
formed until he removed to California in 1906. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 567 

WILLIAM HUTCHISON SCOTT, born in Upshur County, son of Charles 
Warren Scott and Mary Eliza McCray. He follows teaming and keeps one or 
more good teams always on hand and constantly in use, hauling large loads of 
lumber and goods to and from Buckhannon. He claims to have hauled wilh one 
team, weighing 2700 pounds, the largest load of goods hauled from Buckhannon 
to Rock Cave. The load weighed 4,654 pounds, plus his own weight of 165 
pounds. 

He is temperate and reverent. A Free Mason, a Junior and a Republican. 

ADAM SEE and MICHAEL SEE, two brothers, came from somewhere 
east of the mountains of the Old Dominion (the writer is not informed as to 
the exact place), and settled in Tygart's Valley, at or near the town of Hut- 
tonsville, Randolph County, during the latter part of the i8th century. Adam 
was a lawyer, being admitted to the Randolph County Bar in 1793, and was 
the third prosecuting attorney of Randolph County, being elected to that office 
in the year 1798. He died about the year 1840, leaving a large estate, and is 
buried in the old Brick Church Cemetery near the town of Huttonsville. 

Michael See was a farmer owning a fine farm of more than 500 acres in the 
Tygart's Valley, between the town of Huttonsville and the present site of the 
town of Mill Creek. On this farm he erected a brick residence probably the first 
brick structure ever erected in Randolph County, the main part of which is still 
standing near the Parkersburg and Staunton Turn Pike. This farm he sold in 
the year 1828 to Charles C. See (a son of Adam See) and taking his family with 
him, he emigrated to Missouri, locating in Montgomery County in that State. 
His family, so far as the writer is informed, consisted of John, Jacob, Noah and 
Anthony B. See. Noah and Jacob became men of wealth and prominence in their 
country and their posterity have held many positions of honor and trust in the 
State of Missouri. Thomas Jefferson Jackson See, son of Noah, is one of the 
noted astronomers of this country, having written a number of books on that sub- 
ject, and at the present time is the chief of the Government Astronomical Obser- 
vatory at Washington, D. C. Missouri counts him among her greatest men. 

Anthony B. See, having contracted the ague in the new country, came back 

to his native State of Virginia, and in the year , married Julia Leonard, a 

member of a New England family that came from the State of Massachusetts 
about the year 1824, and settled at French Creek, in Upshur County. Julia was 
the oldest of the Leonard family, having been born in 1812, and was 12 years old 
at the time the family moved to French Creek ; she died in 1902, being 90 years old 
at the time of her death. Anthony B. See was by occupation a farmer and cattle 
raiser. He was one of the contractors under the state of Virginia, for the con- 
struction of the Parkersburg and Staunton turnpike, and built many miles of 
that famous thoroughfare through Upshur and Randolph Counties. He was 
also engaged in the mercantile business and hotel business in Buckhannon. He is 
said to have been a man of large physique, great physical strength and endurance, 
indomitable will, and hasty temper. He is said by those who knew him to have 
been honest in his business dealings, true to his friends and lavish in the bestowal 
of favors on those whom he liked, but an implacable foe of those who incurred his 
enmity. He died in the year 1859, being at the time of his death still in the prime 
of life. 

His family consisted of the following sons and daughters viz: Claudius B., 
Randolph, George W. and Seymore, Louisa, Jane, Martha, Adelia, Virginia and 
•Catherine. 

Claudius B. See was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. He 



568 FAMILY HISTORY. 

was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company E of the 3d Virginia Infantry^ 
being the first company organized at French Creek in the spring of 1861. He was 
later transferred to the cavalry service and served until the close of the war. He 
was a young man of fine physique, great physical strength and endurance, but the 
exposures and hardsh'ps of the soldier life wrecked his fine constitution and he 
returned to his home broken in health and shortly after the close of the war died 
with consumption. He was at the time of his death a young man still in the spring 
time of life. He is said by all his old comrades to have been a brave and gallant 
sold'er, daring and fearless in the rischarge of his duties, and to perpetuate his 
memory the G. A. R. Post and the Sons of \^eterans Camp at French Creek are 
named for him, being designated as the C. B. See G. A. R. Post and the C. B. See 
S. V. Camp. 

Randolph See is a farmer now living at Frenchton. He was also a Union 
sold'er in the Civil War holding the rank of Second Lieutenant, in the same 
company of which his brother Clodius B. See was First Lieutenant and S. B. 
Phillips was Captain. He served as a soldier until about the year 1863, taking 
part in many engagements of the early years of the war, then resigned his com- 
mission and went to the State of Illinois where he engaged in farming for several 
years, then by reason of ill health, brought on by climatic conditions existing in 
a new country, he returned to his native state, where he has since resided. 

George W. See was also a soldier fighting on the side of the Union. He 
served his country as a soldier until the close of the war, taking part in many 
of the great engagements and was wounded at the Second Battle of Bull Run. 
The war being over, he emigrated to the Slate of Missouri, locating in Montgom- 
ery County, where he engaged in business and succeeded in accumulating an 
ample estate. He died in 1902. 

Seymore See is a farmer and merchant living at French Creek. Louisa mar- 
ried Martin Burr, and still lives near French Creek, in Upshur County. 

Jane (now deceased) married William Townsend, who was captured with 
the Militia in 1863, and died in Andersonville prison. 

Adelia married Alva Brooks and resides at French Creek. 
Martha (now deceased) married R. P. Mc.^voy, who still resides at French 
Creek. 

Virginia married John Randolph Crouch and lives in the Tygart's Valley, 
in Randolph County. 

Catherine married J. L. Talbot and resides in Harrison County, West Vir- 
ginia. 

FLOYD PEEBLES SEXTON, merchant and insurance agent. Was born 
December, 1856, at French Creek. Was oldest child and the only son of Wor- 
thington Lafayette and Jane f W'ngrove) Sexton. His sisters were Amy Walker, 
Celina Asper, Ada Beer. His grandparents were .A.ugustus Sexton and Annie 
(Young) Sexton. He was educated in the public schools, French Creek Academy 
and Parkersburg Business College. He founded the business department of the 
Normal and Classical Academy in Buckhannon in 1885, and was its principal lor 
five years. He served the educational interests of Upshur County many years as 
teacher in the common schools and crowned his work in this line two terms as 
County Superintendent of Public Schools from 1886 to 1890. In the last named 
year he began the Insurance Business and complemented it with the mercantile 
business, both of which he still pursues. 

He married Amy Adelia Mac.'\voy, Ju'.y 20, 1887. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 569 

Children: Edith W., born May 28, 1888; Genevieve, born February 22, 1892; 
Augustus M., born November 22, 1895. 

FREEMAN FAREFIELD SEXTON, born August 14, 1827. Son of 
Augustus and Anna L. (Young) Sexton and grandson of Noah and Martha 
Sexton, natives of Massachusetts, who emigrated from that State about 1815. 

Mr. Sexton is a farmer of Meade District. In his young manhood took up 
this reliable vocation and now owns 150 acres of well improved land with a good 
home and out buildings thereon, near the Postoffice of French Creek. 

On December 23, 1851, he married Mildred Virginia Craig, who was the 
daughter of William and Emily (Brown) Craig. Her father emigrated from 
Albermarle County, Va., in 1845, settling in Lewis County and lived there till 
his death, which occurred at the ripe age of 100 years, 5 months and one day. 

Mr. Craig was a Southern Methodist in religion, and a tobacco farmer during 
the most of his life. 

Children are: Emma M., wife of Seymore See; Louisa M.. wife of Arthur 
Gould ; Lucy E., wife of A. M. Linger ; Martha T., dead ; Eliza A., wife of W. B. 
Linger; William W., dead; Ida M., wife of L. P. Shinn; French A., married 
Harriet Dix ; Ettie E., milliner at Buckhannon. 

Mr. Sexton's father was widely known as a school teacher in this and 
adjoining counties for the forty years he worked at this profession. 

The subject of this sketch is a Presbyterian, an Elder in the Church for 
many years. Lives on his farm near French Creek. 

GEORGE ASBURY SEXTON, born June 4, 1840. The son of William 
Sexton and Sarah Jackson and grandson of Noah Sexton of Worthington, Mass., 
who emigrated to the valley of the Buckhannon River in the year 1814, first 
settling on Middlefork, then at French Creek and lastly on the waters of Brushy 
Fork. He was one of nine children, his brothers and sisters being: Daniel, Wil- 
liam Jackson, Edward Jason, Rebacca Jane, Margaret E., Sarah, Clinton, Amy 
and David S. 

At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was attached to Rosecrans and 
McClellan's command, being detailed by General Westfall to escort that command 
from Parkersburg to Buckhannon. General Rosecrans selected him to do secret 
service work and in this capacity he served his superiors so well that the 
General recommended him for promotion and asked that he be made a Second 
Lieutenant. The honor was unhesitatingly conferred upon him. On June 24, 
1863, he married Virginia L. McNulty, daughter of Clark and Catherine (Hyer) 
McNulty. 

Children: Jason W., married Eula Huff; Greta, married J. E. Martin; 
Lorena Bird, married Homer Hcavner ; Annie, single. 

REV. WILLIAM J. SHARPES was born in Harrison County, Va., now 
Taylor County, W. Va., January 17, 1836. He was the son of George Sharpes, 
who married Priscilla Zinn and to this union were born fifteen children, nine sons 
and six daughters, all of whom grew to be men and women. W. J. being the 
fourth one of the number. His grandfather married Sarah Neptune, a Welch 
lady, and to this union were born three sons and one daughter. His great 
grandfather came from South Wales to this country in 1774, became an earnest 
advocate of Independence, joined the Army as a soldier, but was detailed as 
blacksmith, ax-maker and helped to forge two chains to stretch across the Potomac 
River to keep the English war vessels from coming to Washington. He married 
a Welch lady soon after the Revolution and settled on Savage River above 
Western Port, Md., the farm is still known as the Sharpes fann. To this union 



570 FAMILY HISTORY. 

were born fifteen children. After many years he sold his farm and moved to his 
son Jesse's, the grandfather of this skeich, where he and his wife died at a good 
old age. The farm was sold for $4,500, and the subject of this sketch remembers 
how difficult it was to hide so much money of that kind as there were no banks. W. 
J. obtained as good an education as his county could then give him and taught 
several schools, but he preferred farming to any other occupation. But in May 
1861, at the call of the Governor of Virginia for troops to resist the troops from 
Ohio and Indiana he joined the guards at Fetterman, W. Va., and continued with 
the Confederate Army, was present at the Battle of Philippi. After the surrender 
of Col. Peagram at Rich Mountain, and the retreat of Gen. Garnett from Laurel 
Hill, he joined Generals Loving and Lee on Valley Mountain. But his grief 
because of the war became so great that it overcome his physical strength and he 
left the army for several months. Then in November, joined the army again at 
Camp Barto on the Greenbrier River, under Gen. Ed. Johnson and was detailed 
for work in the commissary and remained in that capacity during Gen. Stonewall 
Jackson's campaign in the valley and before Richmond, thence to meet Gen. 
Pope's army at Manassas Junction. But when the heavy drafts were made 
for men to recruit the Confederate army he joined Robinson's company of the 25th 
Virginia, and was detailed for special duty on Gen. Ed. Johnson's Stafif and re- 
mained there until the 12th day of May, 1864, when Johnson was captured by 
Gen. Hancock at the bloody angle near Spottsylvania Court House. Then for 
his gallantry -n meeting and defeating the victors under Gen. Hancock, Gen. John 
B. Gordon was appointed to take Johnson's place as commander of the Jackson 
Corps and he was a courier on Gordon's Stafif, and some time after was appointed 
Sergeant of Couriers and held that place un*il the surrender at Appomatox 
Court House and was paroled as such. After the surrender he came with Gen. 
Gordon to Petersburg, where the General joined his wife and son, who had been 
born a few days before the retreat. There he parted from the General receiving 
as a keepsake a very fine razor, which he still has in fine trim and prizes it very 
highly for the sake of the one that is now no more. He took the boat at City 
Point and came to Washington, got there the morning after President Lincoln 
was killed, was detained a prisoner for three weeks, until Gen. Grant came from 
the field and told the war department his paroles must be honored, so was released 
and sent home. He was in the following ba'tles: Winchester, Gettysburg, 
battle of Manassas, Payne's farm. Mine Run, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, 
Hatchers Run, Petersburg, and in the rear with Gordon, who covered the 
retreat to Appomatox ; there. Gen. Gordon was ordered to the front to charge 
the enemy and see what forces were in the front, made the charge and found a 
large body of infantry and cavalry, who fell back at the approach of the Confeder- 
ates not wishing to be killed so late in the war, when Gen. Gordon found so large 
a force in front and on his flank he turned and said : "Sharpes you go and tell 
Gen, Evans," who commanded the charging column, "to stop and move by his left 
flank back to ihe Court House." In discharge of this duty he heard the last bullet 
whistle, which only seemed to miss his nose two or three inches, saw the sur- 
render. Had been five days without anything to eat and Gen. Grant's men gave 
the Confederates two days' of their rations and did wi'hout themselves. In 1866 
he married the oldest daughter of Thomas and Sarah Rexroad of Upshur County, 
W. Va. To. this union were born four children. The oldest, a daughter, still 
lives, the other three are dead, Lillie S., married E. O. Ridenoun of .\urora, Pres- 
ton County, W. Va., to this un'on were born four children, one of whom dier re- 
cently, and they moved to Buckhannon, where they expect to live. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 571 

He was converted at seventeen and joined the Baptist Church, but feeling it 
his indispensable duty to preach the gospel and being hindered by complications 
caused by the war, in that church, he joined the M. E. Church, and for thirty 
eight years served as a minister, but now superannuated and settled down with his 
faithful and loving wife, to spend the rest of their days. He sometimes boasts 
that his war record was as strictly honest and religious as any part of his life. 

JASPER N. SHAW, born November lo, 1861, son of Thomas Shaw and 
Martha Martin, the daughter of Geo. W. Martin. His father's children are: 
Luther W., Joseph K ., Prudence A., Elva J., David L-, and Jasper N. His 
paternal ancestor served his country four years in the Civil War, as private in 
Company B, loth Virginia Volunteer Infantry. The subject of this sketch was 
a teacher for four years, was elected assessor of the Second District of Upshur 
County, in 1900, and when his term of office expired, went into business at Gaines 
and Canaan, as mercnant. He owns teams of horses. He married Martha D. 
Rexroad, daughter : : Thomas Rexroad, June 22, 1887. Children : Robert D., 
born June i, iS. .■ : .^r.rnest T., bom March 10, 1891 ; Clarence C, dead; 
Earl Cranston, born April, 1894; Elva Pearl, born December, 1896; Guy Roose- 
velta, born September 20, 1904. 

THOMAS A. SHAW, son of Luther W. and Virginia (Bunner) Shaw, 
born August 15, 1885, in Randolph County. Married Maud F. Jones, daughter of 
Albert Jones, August 15, 1905, and moved to Buckhannon in 1906. to run a 
restaurant and hotel. 

JACOB B. SHOCKEY, born August 16, 1870, near Philippi, Barbour 
County, son of Ira Shockey and Malissa J. Newlon, and the grandson of Jacob 
Shockey, Sr., and Minerva Kemp, both of whom came from near Lake Erie and 
settled in Barbour County about 1855. His mother was a daughter of Burr 
Newlon and Sally Lake and the granddaughter on her mother's side of Harrison 
Lake, who was the son of William Lake, a soldier in the Revolutionary Army 
and who, with his father, named Stephen Lake, and his brothers, Richard, Red- 
man and John, emigrated from England to this country just prior to the outbreak 
of the Revolutionary War. Stephen Lake settled in Fauquier County, Va., and 
his two sons, William and John, remained with him, while Richard and Redman 
went back to England and never returned. 

EMMA SHREVE, daughter of Baxter and Malinda (Dean) Bennett, born 
September 23, 1871, and wife of Ira T. Shreve, carpenter, the son of N. G. and 
Martha (Harper) Shreve. Marriage occuired November 8, 1893. 

Children: Howard Russel, born April 4, 1895; Vida Pearl, born January 13, 
1897; Leslie Rav, born September 2, 1900; Clinton Paul, born April 29, 1903. 

MINNIE SHREVE, daughter of William Foster, born February 19. i8?5, 
and married luly 13, 1905, John B. Shreve. painter, son of Harrison Shreve. 

BELLE" HALL SHUTTLE WORTH, daughter of Robert T. and Margaret 
(Brady) Hall. Born September 15, 1882, at Washington, Pa., and married 
Joseph E. Shuttleworth, son of Charles E. and Virginia (Fast) Shuttleworth of 
Fairmont, W. Va., November 19, 1905. 

Mr. Shuttleworth is in the employ of the B. & O. R. R. Co., and the owner 
of a violin one hundred years old, inherited from his ancestors. 

DR. JEFFERSON B. SIMON, resident physician of Alton, born February 
17, 1874, on Laurel Fork of French Creek, son of Dr. Geo. W. and Harriet 
(Lemmons) Simon. His mother was a daughter of Jesse Lemmons and Ruhama 



572 FAMILY HISTORY. 

(Hyre) Leninions, a daughter of Peter Hyre. He is a grandson of Isaac W. and 
Almira (Pringle) Simon, daughter of Wilhani Pringle, son of Samuel Pringle. 

His father was a soldier in the Upshur Battery and raised a family of four 
children, whose names are: Walter, married Lizzie Johnson; Olive, wife of Lynn 
Phillips ; Lona, wife of U. G. Zickefoose and the subject of this sketch. 

Dr. Simon took his course in medicine at the Electric College of Cincinnati, 
graduating therefrom, with a degree of M. D. He then began practice with his 
father and remained with him until his death. 

Married Pearl Thomas, daughter of A. B. Thomas, the son of John S. 
Thomas, May 26, 1901. His home is at Alton. He is partial to his profession 
and succeeds. 

NORVELL SYLVESTER SIMON, bom May 11, 1875, son of Job Simon, 
a soldier in Company E, lOth West Virginia Infantry, and Elizabeth Cutright, 
the daughter of George Cutright and Susanna Pringle (See history of Jno. Cut- 
right and Samuel Pringle). He was raised on a farm, is a farmer and owns 
fifteen acres of land. He married Emma B. Crites, daughter of John D. Crites 
and Elizabeth Smallridge, the daughter of Wm. Smallridge, she was the widow 
of John D. Linger, and their children are twins and names Franta Alay and 
Francis Ray, born August 7, 1905. His grandparents were Christian Simon and 
Polly Black. 

WILLIAM LOOMIS SIMON, a farmer, son of Goodman and Sarah (Hosa- 
flook) Simon. Born November 26, 1861, on the waters of Stone Coal, near the 
Lewis County line. His grandfather, Jacob Simon, emigrated from Germany. 

His brothers and sisters are: Abram, Jacob, Victoria, Mary, and Letta. 

Married Dora Linger, daughter of William and Christian (Porter) Linger, 
February 22, 1883. 

Mr. Simon not only farms but has lately been engaged in the lumber business. 

Children : Sanford Riley, Ephram Ray, and Leslie Scott. 

ALLAN A. SIMPSON, Assistant Cashier of the Peoples Bank of West Vir- 
ginia, was born July 25, 1853, at French Creek. Son of Henry Simpson and 
Mary C. (Leonard) Simpson. His mother was the daughter of Ebenezer and 
Betsy Leonard, emigrants from Bridgewater, Mass., in 1816. His father's 
people came to Upshur from Lewis. He began his business life as clerk for his 
father, which position he held until he succeeded him in 1881. For twenty-two 
years he followed the mercantile business in Buckhannon, and sold out to accept 
his present position in the bank, in 1903. He married Ann Elizabeth Lorentz, 
daughter of L. D. and Elizabeth (Burr) Lorentz, May 5, 1881. 

Children: Essie Caldwell, born August 13, 1882; Henry Burr, born February 
6, 1884. 

MARY CATHERINE SIMPSON, born January 26, 1846, near Buck- 
hannon, was the daughter of Simon Rohrbough and Catherine Lorentz, a daughter 
of Jacob Lorentz and Rebecca Stalnaker. In the Simon Rohrbough family were 
fourteen children, eight sons and six daughters, whose names are: Rebecca, 
wife of George Warner; John Marshall, died at the age of 21 years; C. Perry, 
married Martha Hazeldon ; Calenoer, married Annie Mbore ; Asbury, married 
Woodfill and Mary Cooper ; Jacob M. married Rachel Ward ; George M. 
married Louisa Brake; Harriet R., dead; Elizabeth A., wife of Jacob Grove; 
Mary Catherine, wife of A. Frank Simpson ; Louvernia A., wife of Jacob Grove ; 
Simcn Elliott, married Ada Gains ; Elsie Grey, dead. The subject of this sketch 
married Frank Simpson, son of John Simpson and Margaret B. Moore of Preston 
County, on December 15, 1870, and to them have been given four children: three 



FAMILY HISTORY. 573 

sons and one daughter: Wilbert J. G., married Margarette L. Hall, the daughter 
of Captain Hall, and lives at West Plains, Mo. Elsie Grey, single, graduate of 
Lexington, Kentucky; Simon Cecil, married Maud Young, the daughter of Rev. 
Hamilton Young and Asbury Blake, single at home. 

Her husband has been a traveling salesman for thirty years. 

Her father, Simon Rohrbough, died December 6, 1867, in the 66ih year of 
his age, and 47th year of his connection with the M. E. Church, and of him it was 
said : "Bro. R. was widely known among the Ministers of the West Virgmia 
Conference, and will be remembered by a number of the older members of the 
Pittsburg Conference, who have enjoyed his hospitalities in other years. His 
conversion was so clear that he never doubted the willingness of Christ to save, 
even to the uttermost. His religion prompted him to duty, and his place was 
always filled in the class-room — social prayer meeting, and in the great congre- 
gation. He was a man of extensive information, but of all other books, the Bible 
was most highly prized by him. Truly 'his delight was in the law of the Lord.' 
He was a liberal supporter of the church in all of her enterprises, and now that he 
sleeps in the grave, his acts of charity are being felt in heathen lands as well as 
at home. He always loved the church of his early choice, and when such men 
as Rev. W. Smith, the lamented Batelle, and others, were defending the old church 
against the charges of the Southern Church, they could always rely upon Bro. R. 
with unshaken confidence. He was true to his country during the late war, and 
he remained true until the close of life. He served for many years in the capacity 
of Justice of the Peace, and was always regarded as a true hearted honest man in 
all of his official proceedings. He enjoyed the full confidence of all our people, 
which fact was fully evinced at the time of his death." 

ALFRED MORGAN SMITH, son of Joshua M. and Elizabeth (Henders- 
on) Smith, born May 24, 1837. On both sides, his parents were Virginia people. 

In 1858 he married Martha F. Willoughby, a daughter of Albert and Betsy 
(Carter) Willoughby. Raised on a farm, was, and is, a farmer. 

Children : Sarah F., Martha, Will O., Elizabeth L., Lilly, Rosa, Albert, John 
T., James F., Mattie F. and Claude K. 

CHARLES SMITH, a locomotive engineer on P. H. V. R. R., was born 
June 5, 1873, the son of Walker James and Melvina (Haddox) Smith, and the 
grandson of William J. Smith and Elizabelh McNeman. His grandfather was 
a private in CompanyA, under Captain Morgan Darnall and was killed at Benders 
Place, Webster County. His grandmother was the first pensioner of the Civil 
War in Upshur County. He married Jessie F. Knight, daughter of Frank Knight 
and Sadie Young. The marriage took place at Oakland, Md., October 4, 1904. 

Child: Virginia Ruth, born May 9, 1906. 

Was a soldier of Spanish-American War, enlisting July 6, 1898, under 
Captain Jackson Arnold in Company F. Mustered out at Weathersville, S. C, 
April 10, 1899. 

EMMA ETTA SMITH, daughter of Jonathan and Hanna (Miller) Cool, 
was born in Webster County and married Charles Andrew Smith of Lewis 
County. Born March 2, 1840, in New England, whence he emigrated before the 
Civil War, and died in 1906. Two Children: Cornelius and Thomas, the latter 
was a soldier in the Spanish-American War. 

ELLEN ELIZA SMITH, daughter of George and Ellen (Barnaby) Clark. 
Born at Fall River, Mass., August 4, 1834. She came with her parents to West 
Virginia, in 1839, locating on the waters of the Buckhannon River, near Sago, 



574 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Was the second wife of John L. Smith, marrying him July 6, 1855. His first wife 
being Catherine Miller, who died September 15, 1854. 

John L. Smith's children by his first wife were: James L., who married May 
Rohrbough, daughter of Perry and Martha (Hazleton) Rohrbough, now lives at 
Ashland, Ky., has two children : Jessie, wife of J. J. Mead, and John L. ; Charles 
M. married Sudie Fowkes, children : Mercer, Russell and Chauncey ; Phoebe E., 
wife of Elmer Wells, of Clarksburg. Second wife's children: Floyd G., married 
Mary Sexton, daughter of James and Lucinda (Leonard) Sexton ; child, Edith E. ; 
Alice E., wife of William Alexander, civil engineer and mechanic at New Martins- 
ville, W. Va. ; George Albert, married Amy M. Burgett, daughter of Harrison 
Burgett, child : George Albert, Jr. 

HOWARD N. SMITH, a native of Banks District, Upshur County, was born 
November 17, 1872, son of Peter J. Smith and Alcinda Brain and the grandson of 
Noah Smith and Charlotta Smith. Noah Smith was captured at Centerville with 
the Militia (See history of Upshur Militia). 

Peter J. Smith was a volunteer in Company M, 3d, West Virginia Cavalry, 
and served in that Company from the time he was mustered in until the close of 
the war. 

His mother was the daughter of Elijah Brain and the granddaughter of 
Benjamin Brain, Jr., who was the son of Benjamin Brain, Sr. This last Brain 
was captured and lived among the Indians for many years. 

The subject of this sketch married Eva M. Forinash, the daughter of Lorenzo 
D. Forinash and EHza Wymer, July 16, 1902, and unto them were given two 
children: Alcinda May and Marcela Alice. 

Mr. Smith is a farmer of Banks District and a member of the M. E. Church. 

Ira O. Smith, a brother of Howard N. Smith, was a soldier in the Spanish- 
American War. 

JAMES L. SMITH, son of Peter S. Smith, who had three wives and their 
maiden names were: Catherine Eagle, Alary Wilson and Phoebe Lee. Grandson 
of Jonathan Smith and Mary Swisher of Marion County. He was born October 
17, 1845. He is a farmer of Banks District, owning one hundred and thirty- 
four acres of land. Has retired and now lives in Buckhannon. Married Mary E. 
Curry, daughter of Robert Curry and Mary Wilson, the daughter of Isaac Wilson. 

Children : Rhoda O., wife of Warner Riggleman ; Lillie, wife of O. K. Roby ; 
Samuel C, who married Bertie Brake ; Robert G, who married Maggie Kincaid, 
and Ford Huff, who married Wilma Brady. 

JOSEPH CARPER SMITH, son of Christian and Jane (Carper) Smith, 
born July 2^, 1868. His father immigrated to this country from the South Branch 
of the Potomac River in the early part of the century. Was the owner of a large 
farm on the Buckhannon River, and at the time of his death, .\pril 15, 1874, was 
considered the wealthiest man in the County. 

He was twice married, first to Mary Skidmore and to them one child was 
born, Maud Ellen, who married James Babb. a soldier of the Civil W^ar; second, 
Jane (Carper) Smith, daughter of Adam Carper, and to them was born two 
children : Perry D. and Joseph C. 

Joseph C. Smith, was raised on the farm and farmed extensively during the 
early part of his life. His zeal for the possession of high-grade and pure bred 
cattle and horses led him into the expenditure of money that eventually involved 
himself and his mother so much that his estate was sold from him. He then took 
up the study of land surveying and was employed in the first surveying corps in 



FAMILY HISTORY. 575 

the northern part of Upshur County that surveyed the coal field for the Century 
Coal Company, helped survey the B. & N. R. R. Since that time he has been 
employed in every coa! survey made in Upshur County, and made many in other 
counties. He was elected County Surveyor in 1904. 

The father of Christian Smith, John Smith, came from Germany and was 
a soldier in the Revolutionary Army, and was corporal under General Gates. 
Served seven years. 

WILLIAM O. SMITH, born January 3, 1863, son of A. Morgan and Martha 
F. (Willoughby) Smith and the grandson of Joshua Smith, one of the oldest 
settlers of Banks District. He is a farmer, owning land in Randolph County, on 
which he is growing fine apple orchards. While his orchards are growing for 
fruition, he gives considerable of his time to lumbering. 

His first wife was Ida M. Brown, a daughter of Rev. George Brown and 
Mary (Carter) (Phillips) Brown, a daughter of Henry Carter. His second 
wife was Miss Viola Virginia Nixon, daughter of Jesse Nixon, who married 
a Miss Lewis. 

Children: Mary and Madge. 

CHARLES M. SNYDER, ex-merchant of Hinklesville, now a resident of 
lenerton. Son of George and Marietta (Bargerhoff) Snyder, and the grandson 
of Samuel Snyder, the great hunter of Stone Coal in the early part of the last 
century. Mr. Snyder had one brother, Lloyd P., and one sister, Mina, the wife 
of Silas Butcher. 

When comparatively a young man Mr. Snyder was seized with an attack of 
sciatic rheumatism, which resulted in a serious deformity of his spine, leaving 
him almost double. Mr. Snyder has been twice married, his first wife being 
Rebecca Snyder, a daughter of John W- and Elizabeth (McBride) Snyder, and 
to them was born one child, William Jesse, February 4, 1889. His second wife 
was Kate Cutright, daughter of Nebo Cutright and Sophia Burgoyne, descendant 
of General Burgoyne of Revolutionary fame, and to them were born three 
children, Bernice Grey, born June i, 1904; Stella May, born July 29, 1905, and 
Mildred Dale, born August 16, 1906. 

JOHN CHANDLER SNYDER, son af Jacob Snyder and Sarah Wamsley. 
Born December 15, 1845, on Cheat river, Randolph county, who moved therefrom 
to Upshur county, settling on Leonard Run. He is a farmer of Warren district, 
living near Hall. His first wife was Sarah Bailey, daughter of William Bailey. 
His second wife was Rachel Vangilder, daughter of Amos Vangilder, and their 
children were: Andrew Floyd, Jacob E., Minerva J., Lilly B., Coleman and 
Riker. His third wife is Mahala Brake, daughter of Lemuel and Polly Hyer 
Brake. Frederick Snyder, the grandfather, was a Revolutionary soldier. 

JOHN QUINCY SNYDER, son of Lewis Snyder and Mary Ann Brenner, 
of Highland county, Va., who immigrated from Virginia to what is now West 
Virginia in 1855, settling near Rock Cave. He was born April 7, 1848, raised on 
a farm ; is a farmer, owning two hundred and eighty acres of land on the waters 
of the Little Kanawha river, in Banks district, and is a Democrat, He married' 
Eliza J. McKisie, daughter of .A.ndrew J. McKisic and Mary Coger, and their 
children are: L. W., who married Iva Dawson;; Amos M., who married Rosa 
Butcher; John Quincy, Jr., who married Georgia Beverage; Robert E., Lewis 
M., Grover C, Minter J., Maud B, and Orval B. 

VALENTINE MONROE SNYDER, born September ig, 1871, Son of 
Ephraim Snyder and Phoebe J. Taylor and the grandson of Jacob Snyder and 
Sarah Wamsley. His grandparents emigrated from Pennsylvania to Randolph 



576 FAMILY HISTORY. 

County, W. Va., many years ago. The birthplace of V. M. is Hemlock. He was 
educated in the pubhc schools of the county, completing his education in the 
Normal and Classical Academy at Buckhannon and the National Normal Uni- 
versity at Lebanon, Ohio. He began teaching when a young man, and has pur- 
sued this profession so continuously that in seventeen years he taught twenty-one 
terms in Randolph and Upshur counties. For four years he was a merchant at 
Queens, during which time he was married to Annie M. Phillips, daughter of 
Burton Phillips and Narcissus Brake, June 5, 1901. 

Child: Paul, born October 16, 1904. 

He has three brothers and one sister, all of whom have gone West to grow 
up with the country. 

ELIZABETH (CUTTER) SPIKER, daughter of Henry and Frederica B. 
(Heller) Cutter. Born October 15, 1846. Widow of John B. Spiker. 

Children: Frederick, George Henry, Jacob K., Mary Caroline, wife of 
Archibald Earl, and Frederica, wife of Thomas Sharps. 

Her husband was a soldier in the Union army from Maryland, and moved 
from that state to West Virginia at the close of the Civil war, and to 
Buckhannon in 1885. 

JESSE WASHINGTON STARKEY, born June 22, 1825, in Harrison 
County. Son of George and Sarah D (Lowther) Starkey. Was raised on a 
farm. Enlisted at the beginning of the war in Company K, Third West Virginia 
Cavalry. After the war served apprenticeship as carpenter and stone mason, 
and moved to Upshur county, in 1894. He married Margaret Jane Hyde, Feb- 
ruary S, 1843- 

Children : Daniel M., Peter, Sarah, Martha, Bird, Robert, Amos and Rebecca. 

MRS. KATE STEWART, daughter of Jacob Rohrbough, one of the well 
known old citizens of Upshur county. Was raised in Buckhannon, and after 
the close of the war met George W. Stewart, who had been a soldier in the Forty- 
fourth Ohio Infantry in the Civil war, and had come into Upshur county for the 
purpose of pursuing his profession, that of a painter, paper hanger and politician. 
He was Constable for Buckhannon district, and was Deputy United States Mar- 
shal for a time. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have one child, whose name is Nellie, who 
married Richard Phillips, a sen of Wirt Phillips, of French Creek. 

Mrs. Stewart owns a good residence on Florida street, near College avenue. 
Is a Meihodist in religion. 

GUSTAVE F. STOCKERT, bom September 3, 1854, in Wainesborough, 
Augusta county, Virginia, son of Julius F. Stockert and Maryland 
Virginia Davis. 

Julius F. Stockert and Edward F., his brother, emigrated from Plowen, Ger- 
many, in 1847, landing in New York. From there they went to Richmond, thence 
to Staunton, where he was married to Miss Davis, the daughter of Hezekiah 
Davis and Frances Kidd, natives of Louisa county. 

Julius F., the father of the subject of this sketch, died in Lewis county, and 
the mother of the subject of this sketch was born in 1835, and also died in Lewis 
county, and her father, a native of Maryland, died in Washington, D. C, in 
the employ of the government. 

In 1871 the subject of this sketch moved with his parents from Virginia 
to Lewis County, W. Va., and worked on his father's farm until he was 23 
vears old. His education up to that time consisted of the items of knowledge 
iie could gather from books, pamphlets and papers during unemployed hours. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 577 

On the 23d day of September, 1877, he married Pooce Bailey, the daughter of 
James M. Bailey and Amanda McCue, who was born August 28, 1857, and the 
granddaughter of William Bailey. Mrs. Stockert is of Scotch-Irish 
descent on her mother's side, being related to the IMcCues of Nicholas 
County, whence she came. The ceremony of marriage was celebrated in the 
Leading Creek Baptist Church, Lewis County. Unto this union were born 
seven children, of which five are dead. The living children are: Michael F., born 
June 29, 1884; Minter G., born October 15, 1888. 

Mr. Stockert went into the lumber business in 1877, renting a sawmill, 
and has continued in that business up to the present time; has handled many 
mills and their output. In 1886 he came to Upshur County to pursue the lum- 
ber business, and after doing much custom sawing at several points in this 
County, who was owner of the Stockert lumber plant and 4,500 acres of timber 
land thereabout. He made 22 sawmill sets in his lumber business. 

ABEL STRADER is a native of Upshur County, born March 1 3, 1863, on 
Grassy Run. The son of Simon and Permelia E. (Tenney) Strader. Simon 
Strader was a son of Martin, who was the son of John Strader. The mother 
of the subject of this sketch was a daughter of Samuel Tenney, who was the 
son of James Tenney, a Revolutionary soldier, who emigrated from Massachu- 
setts with his wife, whose maiden name was Thankful Shippie, to the waters 
of the Middle Fork, in 1814. James Tenney was the son of James Tenney of 
England. On April 22, 1883, he married Mary Ours, the daughter of Nicholas 
Ours and Hettie Bryan, the daughter of James Bryan of Virginia, and the 
granddaughter of Nicholas Ours, Sr., who came here in 1800. 

Children: I. N., born March 26, 1884; Elihu M., born Ferburary 23, 1885; 
Esther L., born January 22, 1888; Quincy, born April 12, 1890. 

I. N. married O. E. Tenney ; Elihu M. married Minnie I. Hoover ; Esther 
L. married H. H. Westfall. 

Mr. Strader's father was a very devout Christian and loyal member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, was an Exhorter of that Church, and made 
frequent and earnest appeals to his neighbors on religious subjects. 

The subject of this sketch follows in the footsteps of his father in religious 
matters. He is a merchant and farmer, a tanner and blacksmith, and has done 
much carpenter work for his neighbors. 

His store is located at Nixon on the B. & O. R. R. His farm, tannery and 
blacksmith shop lie two miles north of Nixon. 

FAIRLEY ADAM STRADER, son ofjohn and Mary B. (Wolfe) Strader, 
born May 21, 1861. Has devoted his entire life to farming. Married Ella 
Sophronia Rohrbough, daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Linger) Rohrbough, 
October 13, 1886. Children: Arch D., Ralph B., Opal Victoria and Fairley 
Judson. 

HOUSTON GRANT STRADER, born March i., 1873, son of Salathiel 
Strader, whose first wife was Elizabeth Parker, whom he married June 16, 
1856, and their children are: Andrew J., John W., and Sarah J. 

Salathiel Strader's second wife, whom he married January 4, 1866, was 
Annie E. Cotter and their children were: Albert E., Ellen E., George E., 
Fielding C, Houston G., Rebecca C, and Emma M. 

The subject of this sketch married Tessie Lourena Sines, born March 5, 
1879, the daughter of David Sines and Sarah Friend, and their children are: 
Deney May, Virgie Ellen, and Roberta Catharine. 

Mr. Strader is a Methodist, a farmer, and a Republican- 



578 FAMILY HISTORY. 

His father was born Sunday, February 12, 1832, and died Sunday, July 
31, 1904. 

The subject of this sketch owns 71 acres of land near Craddock, on the 
B. & O. R. R. 

GEORGE ELLSWORTH STRADER, born May 12, 1870, married Anna 
Olatha Haymond, the daughter of Marshal! P. Haymond, December 5, 1895, 
and their children are: Iris Fern, Tressie Edith, Otto Marshall, Icy Bell. 

Mr. Strader is the son of Salathiel Strader. He lives at his father's home- 
stead, which contains 200 acres, of which 75 are improved. He is interested in 
fruit growing, and has a fine orchard. He farms his other land with success. 
Is a member of the M. E. Church, the same Church to which his father belonged, 
and in which he suddenly died after a Class Meeting. His politics are Republican. 

JOHN STRADER, farmer, of Lewis County, born February i4, 1837, son 
of John Strader, Sr., and Elizabeth Cesell and grandson of John Strader, 
whose wife's maiden name was Post. Mr- Strader is the youngest of a family 
of ten children. 

June 23, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Third West Virginia Infantry, 
under Captain P. J. Potts, afterwards under Captain S. B. Phillips, and served 
throughout the war in this company and regiment. Re-enlisted as a regular and 
was sent across the plains to guard and protect the border settlements. He 
was mustered out at Wheeling. During his service he was captured at New 
Creek and carried south by the Confederates. After the war closed he married 
Elizabeth Linger, daughter of John Linger and Louvinia Crites, and to them 
II children were given, of whom seven are now living. 

Their names are Nicholas, who married Rosa Lanham; Willis C, who 
married Julia Rexroad; Samuel F., who married Minta Winemiller ; Charles 
A., who married Cora Forinash ; T. M., who married Elna Talbot; John A., 
who married Celia Smith ; Rosa B., wife of Gideon Marsh. 

The subject of this sketch owns 70 acres of land, is a member of the M- 
E. Church. His wife was born January 16, 1847; died September 22, 1902. 

His father's second wife was Mary B. Wolfe. 

NEWTON J. STRADER, born April 19, 1858, the son of Valentine and 
Mary (Jackson) Strader, daughter of Edward Haddon Jackson, who was a 
son of John, Jr., son of John, Sr. 

Valentine Strader was a son of John Strader by his second wife, whose 
name was Cooper. 

The subject of this sketch is a farmer and school teacher of Meade District. 
Was educated at the French Creek Academy and Buckhannon High School. 
Married Rosa L. Townsend, daughter of William and Mary (See) Townsend, 
who was the daughter of Anthony See. They have two children: Leslie E.. 
employed at Ironton, Ohio, with the D. T. and P. R. R., as stenographer and 
clerk; and Clara B. 

Children of Valentine Strader: Sally, dead; L. D. Strader, dead; Rebecca 
E., Victoria C, dead ; Mollie C, dead ; Prudence T., Virginia L., dead ; Ada, 
dead ; Winfield Scott, dead : William M., Valentine, Willis, dead ; and N. J., the 
subject of this sketch. Mr. Strader is a Republican in politics. 

REV. PERRY S. STRADER, a minister of the United Brethren Church, 
now located at Freemansburg, Lewis County, was born Alay i, 1870, in Wash- 
ington District, this County. His parents were Asa and Nancy Jane (Debarr) 
Strader. His mother was a daughter of William Debarr and wife, whose 
maiden name was Reed. The grandparents of the subject of this sketch were 



FAMILY HISTORY. 579 

Isaac Strader, who was the son of John Strader and wife, whose maiden name 
was Post. 

Asa Strader was a farmer and a very devout Christian, having been a 
member of the U. B- Church for 40 years, and a class leader and local exhorter 
for 20 years prior to his death, March 10, 1891. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the rural school near his home, 
and the Normal and Classical Academy. Was converted February, 1891, and 
immediately joined the U. B. Church. Was licensed to preach in 1892, and has 
been a minister ever since, at Avon, Doddridge County, Marion County, Har- 
risville, Tannersville, Barbour and Freemansburg. 

He, married Laura M. Ward, daughter of Grafton Ward, who married 
a daughter of Rev. B. Brooks, Sr., and granddaughter of Solomon Ward of 
Harrison County. Rev. Strader's sisters are : Mary Jane, wife of Allen Napier ; 
Matilda E., wife of Wellington Strader; Parmelia, wife of Abel Clark; Ellen, 
wife of Opha Fretwell, and Maggie at home. 

SIMON J. STRADER, son of Abram Strader, who was the son of Isaac 
Strader, who was the son of John Strader, who settled one mile above Buck- 
hannon, in the eighteenth century, coming from the South Branch. His 
mother was Catherine Ward, daughter of James Ward. His father's brothers 
and sisters were: Adam, Benjamin. Asa, PoUy, Lizzie. His brothers and 
sisters were : Mary Magdaline, Philena, Mary Jane and James Worthington. He 
was born in 1845, June 21, and married Mary Susan Hamner, daughter of 
Thomas Hamner and Mariah Garland of Albermarle County, Virginia, 
who came here in 1844, and had seven children : William J., Charles, Sarah, 
Catherine, Jane, Mary and John. He is a farmer, owns 600 acres of land 
in Upshur and Webster Counties, was a member of the board of education of 
Buckhannon District for eight years, was the chief promoter of the Upshur 
County Fair. Has retired from farming and now lives in Buckhannon. 

WASHINGTON SUMMERS, born July 16, i8i4, was the oldest 
of 13 children. Had but few opportunities for education, but appreciated 
them and used them to the fullest. Was a great reader and the owner of a good 
library for his time, at his death. Was ever active in politics, and was Sheriff 
at the outbreak of the civil war. Was a strong believer in state rights, and 
went south after the secession of Virginia and cast his fortune with the Con- 
federacy. Pursuant to an order of Colonel Harris, commandant of a regiment 
of Union soldiers located at Buckhannon, his family was sent across the line 
to Eastern Virginia, in farm wagons impressed for that purpose. His property 
was seized by the soldiers and citizens and destroyed. On returning home after 
the war he was face to face with a financial loss from which he never recovered. 
He engaged in the live stock business till his death, December 9, 1883. Mr- 
Summers was noted for his southern hospitality, entertaining stranger and friend 
alike, and never turned the beggar from his door. His wife was Samantha Crites. 
daughter of Jacob Crites. 

Children : Virginia, wife of Jackson Sexton ; Lupina, wife of J. W. Harris. 

John D., practicing physician, graduate of College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons of Baltimore, married Catherine McKinley. 

Susan E.. wife of Jacob Whitsel!. 

George Jacob, married Jessie Brown and lives in Missouri. 

Phoebe L., wife of John W. Calhoun. 

M. Davis Summers, known as Jeff, born April 11, 1861, the youngest 
child, lives on the old farm, west of Buckhannon. 



580 FAMILY HISTORY. 

TALBOT FAMILY. 

H. O. TALBOT, the founder of this family on English soil, emigrated 
from Normandy at the time of William the Conquerer. This branch, which 
had set led in England, multiplied, and early in the history of Virginia, William 
Talbot, the seventh in line of ascent from the subject of this sketch, came 
to America and settled in Fairfax Count}-. \'irginia. His children were : Richard, 
Cottrell and Charitv'. Cottrell married Elizabeth Reger. the daughter of Jacob 
Reger, in 1788. Rjchard, the younger son. was bom November 16. 1764. and 
emigrated to what is now Barbour County, in 1780. escaping from his master. 
In 1788 he married Margaret Dowden. who was bom December 25, 1776, and 
to this union 13 children were born: Samuel, bom December 13, 1790 ; Mary 
Ann. bom November 7, 1792; Jacob, bom September 3. 1794; Abraham, bom 
October 16. 1796: Isaac, bom September 2, 1798; Robert, bom Februarj' 3, 
1801 ; Elisha. born Januan,- 7. 1804: Silas, bom June 11, 1806; Absalom, bom 
September 22, 1807; Elam. born July 6, 1810: Zachariah, bom April 13, 1813; 
Margaret, bom October 27, 1815: Elizabeth, bom December 15, 1819. 

Elisha married a Miss Stevens and their oldest son, bom September I2, 
1821. was Edward S. Talbot. He married Margaret E. Capito, Januarj- 20, 1842, 
and their oldest son, born April i, 1843. was Lewis Creed Talbot, who married 
Margaret S. Johnson. Februar}- 21. 1867. Their son. Homer O. Talbot, was 
bom May 24, 1868. and he married Edna Shipman, August 29, 1899. 

Lewis Creed Talbot was a Confederate soldier, enlisting in the year 1862, 
in Cap"ain Hill's Company, 62nd Mounted Infantr}-, in General Imboden's bri- 
gade. He served until the war closed. 

^largaret S. Johnson, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was a 
daughter of John N. Johnson and Margaret Alexander of Albemarle Coimty, 
\'irginia, who emigrated to what is now Upshur Countv-. in 1844, and the grand- 
daughter of Elijah Johnson and Martha Carter. Elijah Johnson was a soldier 
in the war of i8i2. 

Children of Lewis Creed Talbot: Jerusha, bora Januan,- 30. 1874 (dead): 
John E.. bom August 8, 1870, and Homer O. 

Children of Homer O. Talbot: Freda, bom June 14, 1900 (dead) : Guy N , 
born March 22. 1902. and Lois, bom March 9. 1904, and Samuel Creed, bom Sep- 
tember 25. 1906. 

Edna Shipman Talbot, the wife of the subject of this sketch, is the daughter 
of Samuel ^^^ Shipman and Cora A. Tallman and the granddaughter of John B. 
Shipman. and the great granddaughter of Nathaniel Sh-pman. of New London 
count}-. Conn., on her father's side, and the granddaughter of James C. Tallman 
and the great granddaughter of Benjamin Tallman. a nephew of Daniel Boone, 
and a soldier in the War of 1812. 

PERRY TALBOT, son of George McKenna and Sarah L. (Wilson) 
Talbot, and grandson of Samuel T. Talbot, the paternal ancestor of all the 
Talbots on the waters of French Creek, was bom August 4. 1845. and was the 
oldest child of a family of eight children, his brothers and sisters being: Charles 
W., Dr. William E.. Lloyd. Gordon B.. Oorge Page and Emily Melvenia. 

He married Charlotte Shobe. daughter of John and Nancy (Douglas) Shobe, 
and to them were bora Walter Gay. Okie S.. Ckorge and Iva Retta and Spencer S. 

^Ir. Talbot was a member of the Upshur mi'.itia. and was doing active ser\-'ce 
on September 12. 1863. at Center%-ille. when he and his comrades were captured 



FAMILY HISTORY. 581 

by the Confederates, taken to Richmond and imprisoned at Castle Thunder, from 
which thev were released March 21. 1864. 

WILLIAM DAMROX TALBOT: William Damron Talbot was born in 
what is now Banks district. L'pshur count}-. West ^'irginia, on the 5th of Sep- 
tember, 1850. a son of David and Man- Reger ( HalH Talbot. Choosing the law 
for a profession he studied at the L'niversit}- of Michigan, and graduated at that 
famous school in 1878. with the degree of L. L. B.. and was at once adni'tted to 
prac-ice in his native state. He first located at Webster Springs, but in 1S83 he 
returned to Upshur count\-, where he practiced continually with distinguished 
success until his death. He found h's profession congenial to his tastes and 
profitable from a business standpoint, and it was an open door to numerous 
official positions and poHtical honors. From i884 until his death he was Secre- 
tary of the Board of Education, which brought him at all times in touch with the 
public schools, the teachers, the pupils and their parents: from 1899 to 1901, in- 
clusive, he was Prosecuting Attorney, and was an able but fair and just prose- 
cutor of the pleas of the State : he represented his county in the Legislature in 
1901 and 1902. and in 1904 he was elected to the Senate from the Thirteenth 
district, and sen-ed during the sessions of 1905-1907, until during his attendance 
at the late session of that body at Charleston, he was stricken with typhoid pneu- 
monia, and after a short illness died on the 21st of Februan,-. 1907. His ser\-ices 
as a lawmaker for the State rounded out and perfected the work of a well-n'gh 
perfect life. He regarded first what was right, then the interests of his constitu- 
ents, and he enforced these principles with ability- and forensic power- 
Mr. Talbot held numerous other positions of honor and trust of a less im- 
portant character. He was several times a member of the Town Council, attor- 
ney for the municipal corporation. Commissioner of Accounts, an officer in the 
National Guard, a director in the Traders' National Bank, etc.. etc. 

On the 23rd of December. 1891. Mr. Talbot was united in marriage to Miss 
Jennie Dean, daughter of Solomon and Ruth Dean. His married life was most 
felicitous, and those who knew him at his home and in the family circle knew him 
at his best. His wife sun-ives him. and has lived to enjoy with him his career 
of honor, and to learn from the lips of others the esteem in which he was held. 
In Februar>-. 1903. he entered into partnership for the practice of the law with 
his cousin and nearest friend, William S- O'Brien, an association which was at 
all times mutually agreeable. 

During all the years of his mature life, Mr. Talbot was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and was prominent in its councils. He was an 
ardent Free Mason, and for several years was Master of his lodge. He was a 
Republican in politics, and held straight to his party's tenets from principles. In 
the private as well as the public walks of life he was true to what he believed to 
be right, and there was never any doubt as to where he was to be found on moral 
questions and business propositions. He did the right as God gave him t.^ 
know the right. 

MARY C. TALKINGTON. daughter of William Price and Susanna 
(Lyons') Price, bom in Wetzel county, October 10, 1850. Married E. A. Talk- 
ington. a carpenter and suneyor. at Palatine, W- Va. 

Children : William R.. Lambert, David L., Lorenzo D., Athalia M.. Howard. 
Andrew L.. Ferdinand and Ivv Dale. 

ADDISON ^lOXROE TENNEY. bom August 18, 1856. in Washington 
district. Son of Marshall, who was the son of Samuel, who was the son of 



582 FAMILY HISTORY. 

James Tenney. On his mother's side he was a son of Elmira, who was a 
daughter of Samuel Tenney, who was the son of James Tenney, Sr. Samuel 
Tenney married Dorcas Rohrbough and James Tenney, Sr., married Abigial 
Packard, of New York. 

The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and as a fanner, but spent 
his winter months in the schools near his home, where he acquired the rudiments 
of a practical education, which soon elevated him to a clerkship in the store of 
James Hanson, at Ten Mile. He held the same position with Smooth. Berthy & 
Co. at the same point, and billed out for James Hanson the first freight shipped 
from Ten Mile, W. Va. 

Mr. Tenney has always been a Republican, and has won many good positions 
by marching under this political banner- He was postmaster at Ten Mile under 
President Harrison ; constable of Washington district 'four years ; assessor of 
the First district of Upshur county four years, and sheriiif four years. Since his 
term of office as sheriff expired he has followed the mercantile and lumbering 
business, having sold his farm of i8o acres prior to his going out of office. 

His first wife was Sarah Welch, a daughter of John and Amanda (Watson) 
(Duros) Welch, of Barbour county, and the granddaughter of Samuel and 
Martha (Ratliff) Welch, whom he married in 1878, and their children are: 
Okey Blaine, Ora Dell, wife of Stanley R. Snyder, of Oklahoma; Pearl, Sidney 
Harrison and Ira Glenn. 

His second wife was Lelia Westfall, daughter of Lafayette and Anna (Rol- 
lins) Westfall and the graddaughter of Martin and Rebecca (Warner) Westfall 
and the grcatigranddaughter of George Westfall, whom he married in 1896, in 
the month of May, and their children are : Carl, Ralph, Cecil, Paul and Ruth. 

His residence is Buckhannon, W. Va. 

ANTHONY LINCOLN TENNEY, born April 9. 1883, son of Benjamin 
Allen and Delia (Casto) Tenney, grandson of Philo Tenney, Jr., who was a 
son of Philo, Sr., son of Peter, son of James Tenney. 

His mother was a daughter of William Casto, a son of David, who married 
Ann Cutright, the only daughter of John Cutright, of Sycamore Tree fame. 

William Casto, grandfather of the subject, married Rebecca Westfall, a 
daughter of George, son of Zachariah, son of Jacob, son of James Westfall. 

Anthony is a fanner, and owns seventy acres of land near Nixon P. O. His 
wife's maiden name was Bertha Ours, a daughter of Nicholas Ours, Jr. 

Children are : Delos, Emmons, Bernice and Goff. 

BENJAMIN ALLEN TENNEY, born March 10, 1862, in Barbour county. 
Son of Philo Tenney, Jr. His mother was Olive Black, daughter of James and 
Sally (Reger) Black, of Eastern Virginia. Was raised on a farm and is now 
a farmer- Married Ardelia Casto, daughter of William and Rebecca (West- 
fall) Casto. 

Children: Anthony Lincoln, Olive, Lamen, Loman, and Marley Clyde. 

JONATHAN TENNEY was a soldier in the Upshur Battery. His father, 
Peter Tenney, was the son of James Tenney. He is a farmer and merchant on 
Truby's Run, of Washington district. Republican in politics. His wife was 
Anna Cutright, daughter of Christopher Cutright and Sinai Pringle. 

Children : Milroy, Sinai, Cora, Belle, Alice, Lumma, Ord and Willie. 

He is a pensioner. 

JOSIAH TENNEY, a native of Lewis county. Born on the waters of 
Truby Run, in 1843. He enlisted in the Union army August 12, 1862, in Com- 
pany C, Third West Virginia Light .\rtillery, and was discharged at Wheeling 



FAMILY HISTORY. 583 

June 28, 1865. He was the son of Peter Tenney, who was a son of James 
Tenney, of Massachusetts. 

He married Miss Woods January 21, 1862. She was the daughter of 
Andrew Woods and Elizabeth Rowan, and the granddaughter of Joseph Rowan 
and Polly, his wife, and the great granddaughter of John Rowan, who was a 
doctor and preacher in the State of Maryland. 

Children: B. J., born January 23, 1863; James A., born September 8, 1866; 
Madaline, born August 14, 1868; Emma, born November 13, 1870; Austin, born 
March 12, 1875; Louisa, born March 7, 1878; Agnes, bom August 24, 1880; 
R. E., born July 8, 1881 ; Martha B., born June 5, 1884, and two infants. 

Mr. Tenney owns sixty acres of land on the waters of Grassy Run, in 
Washington district, and devotes himself exclusively to the cultivation of the same. 

JAMES HOMER TENNEY, son of Philo Tenney, Jr., the son of Philo 
Tenney, Sr., the son of Peter Tenney, the son of James Tenney, who emigrated 
to this country in 181 1. His mother's name was Olive Black, daughter of James 
Black. He was born December 26, 1864, raised on a farm, and owns forty 
acres of land. Has been postmaster, miller and merchant at Alton. Is now 
engaged in the lumber business. He married Mary E. Pring'.e, December 26, 
1886. His wife was the daughter of Walker Pringle, who was the son of Chaney, 
who was the son of William, who was the son of Samuel, of Sycamore notoriety. 
His wife's mother was Martha Cutright, daughter of David, who was the son of 
John Cutright, Jr., who was the son of John Cutright, Sr., of Indian fame. 

Children: Stanford, Hillery, Keifer, Tiecy, Bradford. Sterling and Stanley. 

JAMES TENNEY, the paternal ancestor of the large and numerous family 
of that name in Upshur county. Was a native of Massachusetts, and lived at 
Cold Rain, in that state at the time he immigrated to West Virginia- Little is 
known of his ancestors or his life prior to his coming to Buckhannon Settlement, 
except that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was drawing a pension 
for his services in the war of Independence up till his death, December 30, 
l84i. Some dispute exists as to the time of his emigration to the Middle Fork 
river. His daughter, Avis Tenney, afterward the wife of Nicholas Ours, bom in 
1803, claims that she was three years old when her parents moved here, which 
would make the date of their immigration 1806. James Tenney, Sr.'s, wife was 
Thankless Shippy, of Rhode Island, who was 93 years, 10 months and 20 days 
old at the time of her death. 

Their children were : James Tenney, who married Abigail Packard, of New 
York; Samuel, Josiah, Peter, Elisha, John, Philo. Reuben, died young; Clara, 
Mary, wife of Joseph Rowan ; Avis, wife of Nicholas Ours, Sr., who died 
March 22, 1875, being 72 years, 2 months and 17 days old, and whose husband 
died April 15, 1874, age 87 years and 8 months, and Thankful, wife 
of John Rowan. 

JAMES V. TENNEY, son of Marshall Tenney, and grandson of Joshua 
Tenney, was born April 14, 1855. Married Mary C. (Adeline) Gooden. 

Children: Colemon, Artie, Bertha, Annie, Orestes, Leefa, Tersy Mabel 
and Ranson R. 

MILROY TENNEY is a farmer of Meade district, owning 149 acres of 
land. Was born May 16, 1863. He is the son of Jonathan Tennev and Ann 
Cutright. On his father's side is a direct descendant from the James Tenney who 
immigrated to this country from New England in the early years of the last 
century- On his mother's side there is a direct line of descent from the John 



584 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Cutright who came here with the Pringle Brothers about the year 1770. He 
was educated in the common schools, raised on a farm, and is a farmer. 

H's first wife was Annie Tenney, daughter of John S. Tenney and Elizabeth 
Allman. Children : Ivy, Frederick, EUas and Ernest. His second wife was 
Louvernia Bond, daughter of Thomas E. Bond, Jr. Children : Mertie, Lida 
Ray and Herbert. 

SIRION TENNEY, born August 18, 1850, a native of Upshur county; son 
of Anthony R. Tenney and grandson of Samuel Tenney, the son of James Tenney. 
His mother. Rebecca, was the daughter of John Strader. 

The subject of this sketch owns sixty acres of land on the headwaters of Big 
Sand Run. Is a farmer by occupation and a carpenter by trade. He has always 
voted the Republican ticket. 

He married Emerly A. Hart, the daughter of Elijah H. Hart, the son of 
John Hart, who was the son of John Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, on March 12, 1874. His wife's mother's maiden name was Sarah 
Briggs, of German descent. 

Children : Isabella, born January 20, 1875 ; W. M- Troy, born December 22, 
1875; Robert A., born February 8, 1877; Nora Lee, born January 6, 1879; 
Bertha M., born March 10, 1881 ; Jasper, born August 13, 1883; Emerson Porter, 
bom October 4, 1884; Anna B., born February 9, 1892. 

G. W. TENNEY, bom April 6, 1866, at Tallmansville. Is a farmer and 
merchant. Owns 94 acres of land in Washington district, and is the son of 
Anihony, the son of Samuel, the son of James. He was married November 18, 
1886, to Sarah J. Osborne, the daughter of Elmore Osborne, the son of Wilson 
Osborne. Her mother was Eliza E. Wingfield, and her grandmother was Eliza 
C. Elsom. 

Children: Freeman J., born April 15, 1888; Marellus C, bom September li, 
1889; Susan Malinda, born October 7, 1891 ; James A., bom September 13, 1893; 
Cora v., born September 7, 1895; Albert Law, bom October 2Q, 1897; Odis 
Dewey, born April 17. 1900; Dolly B-, born August 10, 1902: Rosa M., bom 
June 26, 1905. 

He is a Methodist in religion and a Republican in politics. 

The subject of this sketch can trace his ancestry back to James Tenney, a 
sold'er in the Revolutionary war, who came to Upshur and raised a large family, 
who were the ancestors of all the Tenneys in Washington district and 
Upshur countv. 

SANDUSKY TENNEY, born January 13, 1854, on Truby Run. Was 
married in 1873 to Mary Strader, the daughter of Simon Strader and Parmelia 
E. Strader. Mr. Tenney's parents were Peter Tenny and Labary Rowan, 
of Maryland. 

Children: Martha Jane, Elizabeth Catharine, Peter and Simon, twins; 
Rowena Rebecca, Tabitha Matilda, Delpha Ellen, Mary Ruth. Elizabeth is the 
wife of Asbury Tenney. Martha is the wife of James Bell. Peter married 
Dolly Catherine Eskew. ' 

Mr. Tenney owns loi acres of land on Grassy Run, of Washington district. 
. He is a Methodist Protestan* in religion and a Republican in politics. 

JAMES TETER was born in Pendleton County, December 15, 1797. Died 
January, 1848. Was a son ri Jacob and Elizabeth (Holden) Teter, grandson 
of Philip Teter, of Pennsylvania, and was of German descent. Just when the 
Teters emigrated to America is not known, but we find in history that in the 



FAMILY HISTORY. 585 

forts erected in the Valley of the Kanawha that families resided in them in 1774, 
and among them was a family by the name of Teter. The Teters are said to 
have come from Pennsylvania to the Valley of Virginia, whence they entered 
Pendleton county, crossed into Randolph, Lewis, Harrison, now Barbour 
and Upshur. The Virginia land books show that Tetters owned land in 1783 in 
Barbour county. James Teter's sister, Mary, was the first white child born in 
the Valley district of Barbour county. His brothers were Jacob and Joseph, and 
his sister was Nancy. This family name is oftimes Tetter, Tretter and Teeter, 
his sister was Nancy. 

James Teter in 1820 married Barbara Reager, who was born August 11, 
1801, and who died August 22, 1885. She was a daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(West) Reager. 

An old sheepskin patent granted by Patrick Henry, October 25, 1786, now in 
possession of L. A. Teter, shows a settlement made in 1777 on the Buck- 
hannon river, and he secured a title for 286 acres, being in the County of Harrison, 
on Peck's Run, including the settlement made in the year of the Bloody Seven, 
for which he paid 30 shillings sterling. 

His father, Jacob Reager, and three brothers emigrated from Germany to 
America in 1735 to the Sheandoah Valley, Va. 

James Teter and Abram Reager, son of John, came in possession of a 
part of the land owned by John Reager. James Teter moved from the farm 
now owned by Wellington Strader to the land later owned by Alva Teter, and at 
present by B. I. Teter, this farm being a part of the land first settled by John 
Reager, as shown by a record made on the back of said patent by Alva Teter. 

To the union of James and Barbara (Reager) Tetter were born five sons: 
Alva, born October 18, 1822; John, born March 19, 1825; Jacob, bom January 
20, 1827; Isaac, born May 10, 1829; Granville, born July 21, 1835. 

John Teter married Lucinda McCoy, and their children were : James W., 
Washington, Barbara, Virginia, Mary, Martha, Cordelia and Louisa. 

Rev. Isaac Teter married Rebecca Jackson. 

Granville died in early life. 

Alva Teter was born on the land now owned by Wellington Strader, in 
1822, and died on the farm now owned by his son B. I. Teter, January 21, 1893. 
He was recruiting officer during the Civil war. 

Through perseverance, industry and economy he accumulated considerable 
wealth. He was a man of great sympathy, and often made sacrifices for the 
comforts of those who were not so fortunately situated as he. He was a magis- 
trate for fifteen years, a member of the board of education many terms, was 
deputy sherifif of Barbour county, sheriflf of Upshur county, and a member of the 
State legislature two sessions, 1863 and 1866, and he and his wife were members 
of the Reger M. E. Church. 

In 1846 he married Mary (Sharp) Hartman, who died January 31, 1847. 
One child, Mary C, was born January 21. 1847, to this union. She became 
the wife of Perry Talbot. On October 4, 1849, Alva Teter married for his sec- 
ond w'fe, Catherine Strader, the daughter of Michael and Sarah (Bennett) 
Strader, and the granddaugh'er of John Strader, who married Miss Post. Her 
brothers and sisters were: Mary, the wife of Ithiel Hinkle : Christianna, the wife 
of Edward Davis ; Betsy, wife of Joseph Ward : Granville, who married Sarah 
Ann H'nkle, and Michael, who married Lyda Lamb. 

The Straders came from Holland and settled in New Jersey before the 



586 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Revolutionary War, and some of them, moved to the South Branch in the present 
County of Hardy about 1740. 

Children of Alva and Catherine Teter were: Sarah Ellen, born July 7, 1850, 
wife of Seymour House, after May 23, 1867; James Lee, bom December 2, 
1851, and married Nancy Ward, Januar\' 2, 1873; Elizabeth, bom November 15, 
1853, wife of John KarickhoiT after December 21, 1873; Granville, whose his- 
tory is given elsewhere; John, born January 22, 1858, and married Florence 
Rohr; Cosbi. bom January 21, i860, and died July 8, 1862; Barbara Ann, born 
August II, 1862, wife of Daniel Post after May i, 1881 ; Virginia Florence, 
born June 8, 1865, died in 1894, wife of Ira Euritt; Sherman T., born December 
7, 1867, died in infancy; Lloyd Alva, born August 9, 1874; Burton Isaac, born 
January i, 1877. 

Lloyd Alva married Floda Foster Hinkle, of Cherry Hill, Upshur County, 
the daughter of Foster and Melvina (Ward) Hinkle, the granddaughter of Job 
and Margaret (Jackson) Hinkle, the great granddaughter of Jonas and Tobitha 
(Cooper) Hinkle, and the great, great granddaughter of Leonard Hinkle, a 
Hessian German emigrant. Mrs. Teter's grand parents were: ^Nlackinzy and 
Phoebe (Heavener) Ward; her great grandparents were Job and Tabitha (Cum- 
mins) Ward, German and Irish, and her great, great grandparents were Edward 
Haddon and Rebecca (Love) Jackson, who were the children of John and Mar- 
garet Hadden Jackson, who was son of John and Elizabeth (Cummins) Jackson. 
I^Irs. Teter was educated in the public schools: early joined the iMethodist Epis- 
copal Church under the ministry of Rev. C. Warmen, and has been an earnest 
and loyal member of the church ever since. 

L. A. Teter followed in the footsteps of his ancestors for several generations 
by taking up the business of live stockman. His farms consists of six hundred 
acres of valuable grazing land on the waters of Peck's Run in Upshur County 
and Stone Coal in Lewis County. His home farm is now known as Meadow View. 

To keeping and improving his land and live stock, he has devoted his energy 
and time since leaving the West Mrginia Conference Seminary, in which school 
he took his course, preparatory to farming. He and his wife are members of 
the Heaston Chapel, M. E. Church. 

Child : Heaston Alva. 

GRANVILLE TETER, one of the largest farmers in Buckhannon Dis- 
trict. His postoffice is Dell, W. Va. His farm lies on the waters of Pringle Fork 
of Stone Coal, and comprises an acreage of six hundred and two acres, and was 
formerly known as the Moon farm, but now as Glendale. On his father's side 
Mr. Teter is of German extraction, his great great grandfather, Philip Teter, 
having been an emigrant from Germany to Pennsylvania during the colonial 
times. The subject of this sketch was a son of Alva Teter, was raised on his 
father's farm until he married Bernice Brake, April 12. 1877. The date of his 
birth is fixed as March 26, 1856. During his whole life his attention has been 
given to farming, and especially to the live stock industry. He now keeps 
seventy-five head of cattle and forty head of horses and sheep on his farm. His 
children are: Bertha B.. born January, 1878, the wife of W. P. Casto, who re- 
sides at Slab Camp; Cosbie E., born November, 1880. the wife of D. P. Linger, 
since October, 1902, and lives at Vandalia ; Grace S., born September, 1883, 
died 1886: Claude W., born March, 1886; Maude M., born Februar3% 1889; 
Osa C, born June, 1896; and Avis A., bom June, 1902. 

Mr. Teter has been county commissioner for several years and held other 



FAMILY HISTORY. 587 

positions of trust and confidence; is a Republican in politics and a Methodist 
in religion. 

IRVIN TETER, born June 7, 1856, at Sunny Valley, Upshur County. 
Son of Jacob Teter and Catherine R. Loudin, the daughter of Thomas Loudin 
and Hannah Conley. His mother's death occurred January 26, 1873. His grand- 
parents were James Teter, who died January 20, 1848, and Babara Reger, who 
afterward married Peter Zinn, of Barbour County. She was the daughter of 
John Reger, and her death occurred August 21, 1885. His great grandfather, 
Jacob Teter, was married in Pendleton County, and came to the Tygarts Val- 
ley, and founded there the Teter family, of Western, Va. Jacob Teter, Sr., was 
the son of Phillip Teter, of Pendleton County. Just how Jacob Teter, Sr., came 
to settle on the Tygarts Valley River, may be shown by the Virginia Land 
Book, which notes that a Teter by the name of George owned land on the Ty- 
garts Valley, now Barbour. This was in 1787, and this same book shows that 
Teters Creek was 1 rrcd about 1783. From these incidents and records it may 
be possible that t ■■ vere two families of Teters, and their ancestors in the 
Valley of the Vir.;j,iiiia were known as the Dietricks, the German form of the 
present name, Teter. The Dietricks came from Pennsylvania to Virginia at the 
close of the Revolutionary War, and the particular branch of the family we 
write about emigrated from the Valley of Virginia to Pendleton County, thence 
to Randolph county, and then Barbour county. His grandfather had six 
children, whose names were: Infant, Alva; John, born March 19, 1825, mar- 
ried Lucinda McCoy, 1845, and have six daughters and two sons ; moved to 
Kansas in 1865, and upon retiring from business, owned several thousand acres 
of land, many cattle and horses, and had a good bank account. His second 
wife was Mrs. Maggie Winn Spillman, whom he married May 16, 1900. John 
died April 14, 1905. The fifth child of James Teter was Isaac Pearl, born May 
II, 1829, married Rebecca Jackson, October 25, 1850. Licensed as exhorter of 
the M. E. Church at a district quarterly conference held at Mt. Lebanon, 
October 18, 185 1. Two years afterwards he joined the Iowa M. E. conference, 
was chaplain of the 7th Iowa Infantry, and on the resignation of Rev. I. I. 
Stuart as chaplain of the Military Hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, was appointed by 
President Lincoln to fill the vacancy, which position he filled till the close of the 
war. He was delegate to the general conference of the M. E. Church at Cleve- 
land, in May, 1896, and died March 6, 1900. The sixth child was Granville, who 
died at the age of eight. The fourth child was Jacob, born May 20, 1827. His 
life was very active and successful. He was captain of the militia, deputy sheriff 
under his brother, Alva Teter, and was appointed deputy provost marshal for 
Barbour and Upshur County. His political faith was Democratic, his religious 
was Methodistic. He had the distinction of living in two states and three coun- 
ties, and always living on the same farm. His second wife was Mary S. Knab- 
enshue. He died August 22, 1905. His children were John Alfred, born Au- 
gust 18, 1853, died September 13. 1903; John A., married Victoria C. Post, and 
their children were Ivy and Icy. The subject of this sketch is the only living 
son of Jacob Teter, he was educated in the public schools, began farming in 
young manhood and is a prosperous farmer ; owns four hundred acres of good 
land on Peck's Run, Warren district, and is the first farmer in Upshur county 
to sell his coal on a royalty, he has just made a contract of sale to the Newcomer 
Coal Company, of Barbour County, for the coal underlying his land, which will 
bring him a handsome income and a price per acre estimated at $600. He 
was a candidate for the legislature on the Democratic ticket in 1906. 



588 FAMILY HISTORY. 

He married, October 9, 1878, Kate White, daughter of Henry West White 
and Mary Ann Paugh, tlie daughter of William Paugh and Mary Loudin, and 
her only sister married Moses Howell. 

Mrs. Teter was a granddaughter of Abram White, who settled in Barbour 
in 1834. and married a Miss Hopkins there. Her sisters and brothers living 
were: Clarence, who lives in Indiana; Jenny E., the wife of J. M. Conley, who 
lives at Bowlder, Col., and three dead. 

Children of Irvin Teter: Jacob Carl, (dead); Clara Rue, wife of T. B. 
Farnsworth, was born December 16, 1882, and Ralph White, born September 6, 
1888, now a student of the Wesleyan College of West Virginia. 

Mr. Teter and family each and all, belong to the M. E. Church at Reger 
Chapel in Barbour County, the oldest church in this section of the country, and 
he has a Bible published in 1753 in Germany and brought over to this country 
by Jacob Reger, one of his ancestors. It weighs twelve pounds, is brass mounted, 
and has dimensions of 16 inches long, 12 inches wide and 5 inches thick. 

EVAN THOMAS was born March 10, 1873, in Monmonthshire County, 
England, son of James Thomas and Elizabeth Williams, grandson of Evan 
Thomas. At the age of nine years he came with his father's family to America, 
locating at Scranton, Pa., and lived in the anthracite coal region until 1893, 
when his father moved to Pickens. He was educated both in England and 
America. Since living in West Virginia he has followed the lumber business 
as an employee of the Pickens Lumber Company, Kile & Morgan, and is now 
manager of the Keys Fannin Lumber Company, of Ashland, Ky., whose West 
Virginia branch office is at Welch, W. Va. 

WELLINGTON THOMAS, a lumberman and farmer of Mead District, 
was born August 28, 1869. His parents were Alexander Brown Thomas and 
Clarissa Vance, daughter of Wellington Vance, of Virginia, and their children 
were Wellington C, Hugh, John, William French, Charles and Wirt, Ann, 
Eliza, the wife of Martin Wolf, of Burnsville; Pearl, wife of Dr. J. B. Simon, 
and Icy. 

The subject of this sketch began operations as a lumberman at the age of 18. 
He selected this trade in order to make sufficient money to buy for him- 
self a farm, on which he could live a farmer's life after retiring from the lumber 
bus'ness. He now owns a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Meade Dis- 
trict. His lumber operations have been carried on in Webster, Randolph and 
Upshur Counties. He married Mazie K. McClintic, daughter of William Mc- 
Clintic, whose wife was a Miss Hamilton, of Pickens. 

Children: Coy, born May 20, 1902; Fay, born March 3, 1904. 

THOMAS A. THOMPSON, a merchant at Groves Tunnel, on the Coal & 
Coke Railroad. Was born August 30, 1849, in Mineral County. His parents 
were Edward P. Thompson and Margaret Simon. His father was a LTnion sol- 
dier and a member of the 7th Maryland Regiment. 

He married Mary Leonard, of Maryland, and immigrated to this county in 
1906. Children : James A. and Katherine. 

WILLIAM GARLAND TOMBLYN is a native of Nelson County, Vir- 
ginia. His birth dates February i, 1847, and his parents were Pendleton Lee 
Tomblyn and Sarah Jane Robertson, and his maternal grandparent was John 
Robertson, of Scotch-Irish descent. Tho Tomblynis were English people. His 
grandmother was Polly Lee, one of the numerous Lee family of Virginia. His 
great grandfather was William Tomblyn. He came with his father's family 



FAMILY HISTORY. 589 

from Nelson County to Augusta, and then to Upshur County. Va., settling 
near Buckhannon, in i860. 

He was raised on a farm and was a farmer until fifteen years ago, when 
he came to Buckhannon, worked in the planning mill for several years and was 
promoted to inspect lumber. 

He married for his first wife, Phoebe Catherine Calhoun, daughter of Jack- 
son, Calhoun, December 30, 1869, and their children were John Emery (dead), 
'William Early, Jackson Romeo. 

His second wife was Hanna Page Morisette, daughter of David Morisette 
and Virginia Stinson, of Buckhannon County, Va. They were married May 18, 
1887, and their children were Garland Page (dead), Ira Bruce and Isa Lee, 
twins. 

W. G. L. TOTTEN, born in Armstrong County, Pa., son of Sidney Totten 
and Lydia A. (Black) Totten; grandson of John Totten, a descendant of one of 
the two, who came from Tottenham, England, a suburb of London, and settled at 
Tottonville, Staten Island, before the Revolutionary War. From Staten Island 
they moved and founded Tottonham, N. Y. From this place the grandparent of 
the subject of this sketch moved to Armstrong County, Pa. 

John Totten was a cousin to General Totten, a solider in the War of 1812 
and the Mexican War, and was at one time chief engineer in the Uunted States 
army. 

He was a soldier in the 169th Pennsylvania Infantry during the Civil War. 
After the close of the war he took up the study of law at Greensburg, Pa., and 
was admitted to that bar in November, 1864. The next year he came to West 
Virginia and settled in Buckhannon in the month of September, where he has 
practiced ever since. 

He was the first mayor of the town of Buckhannon and was elected prose- 
cuting attorney of Upshur County in 1880, for a term of four years. 

REV. FRANK S. TOWNSEND, pastor of the First Methodist Church 
of Buckhannon, was born at East Greenwich, R. I., April 19, 1857. 

He was educated in the public schools and the East Greenwich Academy. 
For several years he taught school and studied law, but finally decided to enter 
the Methodist ministry. He also decided to take a full college course before en- 
tering upon the ministry. In 1885 he graduated from Wesleyan University at 
Middletown, Conn., taking special lessons in English literature and in the mod- 
ern history. He had joined the New York East conference about three months 
before his graduation. He continued in that conference for twelve years, busily 
engaged in pastoral work. In April, 1897, he was transferred to the West Vir- 
ginia conference and stationed at First Church in Parkersburg. After three 
years and a half there he was appointed to Buckhannon in October, 1900, and 
is in his seventh year in that church. He has been for the same leng:h of time 
chairman of the Conference Board of Examiners, and is much interested in 
that work. He is very widely read in general literature and in h'story, is fond 
of literary pursuits and is an occasional contributor to the religious papers and 
reviews. He does not, however, allow these mattters to divert him from his church 
work, to which he always faithfully attends. 

W. F. TOWNSEND, son of W. P. and Sarah E. Townsend. Born Novem- 
ber 23, 1873. He was educated in the public schools and normal of Bar- 
bour County. 

Began teaching at the age of nineteen, and followed this profession for 
eleven years in his native county. Began business life as clerk with S. H. 



590 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Simpson, then as partner at Audrey, W. Va., in April, 1903, continuing this 
partnership for one year, then he located at Teters Mill, on the Buckhannon 
River, where he still lives. 

Married Louie Sidna Jackson in 1895, the daughter of Camden Jackson, of 
Upshur County. 

Children : Louie Wynona Blanche, Bessie Grace, Haskel French, Opal 
Devere, Otto Lawman. 

SARAH ELIZABETH TRUSSLER, daughter of David W. and Frances 
Rose Harris, of Virginia, and wife of William W. Trussler, a son of James and 
Mary (Lowe) Trussler, also of Virginia nativity. 

The subject of this sketch was born July 26, 1853, in Barbour County, and 
therefore, well remembers the joining of her father to the Barbour Greys at the 
outbreak of the war. She is now a merchant at Overhill. 

Her husband is a farmer and stonecutter, a native of Nelson County, Va., 
and at one time was postmaster at Overhill, Upshur County. 

The subject of this sketch is the mother of eight living children: Alpha Jane, 
Hallie Bell, Densil Lee, William Braxton, Eva E. and Ethel A., (twins), Lilly 
Essie and George Washington. 

CHARLES D. TUEL, of Oblong, III, born December 5, i848, on the waters 
of Glady Fork, Upshur County. Son of Martin Tuel, a carpenter by trade. His 
mother's maiden name was Catherine Krise, a daughter of Jacob and Mildred 
(Williams) Krise. Her brothers and sisters were: Susan, Sarah Brake, Philip, 
a banker of Lynchburg, Va. ; James, a Confederate soldier, commonly known as 
Tifif Krise, killed at the battle of Antietam, and William, whose wife was Cathe- 
rine Hamner. 

His father, Martin Tuel, emigrated from Orange County, Va., to Upshur 
in 1848, settling on Glady Fork, and his children were : Octavia, Melissa. Lou- 
vernia, Virginia, Alonzo, Sarah and the subject of this sketch, all of whom live 
in Crawford County, 111. 

At the age of 16, the subject went with B. F. Lowe to Illinois, settling 
in Crawford County, where he grew to manhood and married Rachel .A. 
Hill a native of Illinois, and their children are: Margaret C, wife of David 
^^aught ; Lucian G., married Lizzie Hogan, of Arkansas ; Oran W., an employe 
of the government telephone service in the West; Clyde O.. and Lyneth G.. at 
home. 

HOMER O. VANTROMP, born at French Creek, September 26, 1877, and 
is the .son of John A. and Margaret J, Vantromp. Margaret J. was a daughter 
of Johnson Ward, whose wife was Martha Reger, a daughter of Abraham Reger, 
who was a daughter of Jacob Reger, the first settler of the now town of Burn- 
ersville, Barbour County, one of the pioneer Methodists of West Virginia. He 
came from Germany in 1776. (See history of Reger family). John Ward was 
a son of Job Ward, who was a son of Joshua Ward, who came from Ireland in 
the latter part of the eighteenth century. Johnson Ward was born February 
16, 1804, and married Martha Reger in 1893. In Johnson Ward's family there 
were eight children : Hanson, Mary, Abraham, Rachel, Aquilla, Margaret, David 
and Nancy, all of whom are dead excepting the last three. Johnson Ward with his 
family settled on Big Run, in Barbour County, when the surrounding country 
was almost a wilderness. His cooking utensils and other iron ware he carried 
from Winchester, Va., on a pack horse over paths made by marking trees. In 
later years he hauled salt from the Ohio River for himself and neighbors. His 
home was known for miles around, and all were welcome at his fireside. Here 



FAMILY HISTORY. 591 

the neighbors would meet and offer up prayers and songs. God would hear their 
earnest prayers and send His Spirit in such power that the forests would ring 
with praises. The weary circuit rider would find rest from his long journey, 
and no stranger ever left his door hungry, for such as they had was free to all. 
Their clothing were all made by hand. The soft clatter of the hand cards, the 
buzz of the spinning wheel and the crash of the loom could be heard week in and 
week out. He was a strong Union man and used his influence for the North. 
When West Virginia was made a State, he was one of the commissioners ap- 
pointed to lay off Barbour County into townships. After the war he moved to 
Peck's Run, thence to Lewis County, where he died January 3, 1888. 

John O. Vantromp, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Rockingham County, Va., February, 1840. He, in company with Nathaniel 
Hanna and sister, crossed the AUeghenies and settled on Peck's Run, October 
1855. He decided to procure an education ; so the winter of '60 and '61 found 
him in school in Marion County. The war soon broke up the school, and he 
joined the army. After the war was ended he completed his education and 
taught the first free school in Elk township, Harrison County. He then married 
Margaret Ward and settled on French Creek. He spent several years teaching, 
and was one of the leading teachers of Upshur County. John O. Vantromp was 
a soldier in the 4th Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry Volunteers under Colonel 
Snyder. Enlisted July, 1863, and was discharged at Wheeling March, 1864, by 
reason of expiration of term of enlistment. He has been for forty years a mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church at French Creek, and one of the good citizens of Upshur 
County. In John O. Vantromp's family there were seven children, viz ; John M., 
born October 23, 1869, completed his education at the Wesleyan College of West 
Virginia, married Alma Young October, 1906, daughter of O. B. Young ; Hubert 
A., born September 18. 1871, died December 11, 1890; Lula M., born February 
18, 1873, married to D. P. Ross, March, 1905, who died one year later; Homer O., 
subject of sketch; Iva L., born September i, 1881 ; Mary E., born July 18, 1886; 
Martha Oeleta, born January 19, 1888. 

Homer O., subject of sketch, was educated in the public schools and is now 
employed as a teacher in the Boys' Reform School of Washington, D. C. He 
worked on the farm at French Creek until the year 1903, then procured a position 
in the West Virginia Reform School as electrician. After working there for two 
and one-half years he resigned to accept the postion he now holds. 

The subject of this sketch is a member of the Sons of Veterans, and was 
Captain of C. B. See camp for two years. Afterwards he was made a member 
of the division staff. Is a Republican in politics and a Methodist in religion. 

ROBERT MACAVOY VINCENT, son of Thomas Vincent and Jane Wil- 
son, the daughter of Samuel Wilson and a Miss Keys ; grandson of Rice Vincent 
and Elizabeth Meeks, and the great grandson of John Vincent and Sarah Rice, 
emigrants respectively, from Ireland and England. Was born September 20, 1848, 
at Rock Cave, Lewis County. Was educated in the public schools, and on Sep- 
tember 28, 1875, married Rosabel M. Se.xton, daughter of James Sexton and Lu- 
cinda Leonard, the daughter of Ebenezer Leonard and Wealthy Gould, who is 
the daughter of Aaron Gould, Jr. Children : Lucinda May, born May 6, 1877, 
wife of F. F. Jones; Mollie Grey, born November 27, 1878, wife of W. H. 
Young; Rosa Maud, born September 4, 1881, wife of Thomas R. Hall. His 
second wife was Virginia Boyd, daughter of Calvin Boyd and Louisa 
Currv, who was the daughter of John Curry, Sr., whom he married February 
29, i'888. 



592 FAMILY HISTORY. 

For many years he was a farmer on :i Camp, but came to Buckhannon 
in 1891, to engage in the dairy business. He still farms, but lives in town. He 
is the owner of a curiosity in a pair of horse hames which are a hundred and 
eighteen years old, made by his great grandfather, John Vincent. 

LLOYD WAMSLEY, of yueens, born February 14, 1846, is the son of 
Noah B. Wamsley, who emigrated to this country from Hardy County, Va. He 
was raised on a farm and educated in the public schools, after the Civil War, and 
married October 6, 1867, Catherine Boyles, daughter of John Boyles and Lydia 
Hornbeck. Children: Wirt, (dead); Loretta, (^dead) ; Robert Lee, merchant at 
Ten Mile; Emma, (dead) ; Kenneth, Ira, Stephen. 

His first wife died in 1899 and he married for his second wife Anna M. 
Sharp. 

Mr. Wamsley was a soldier in the Union army, belonging to Company H, 
Tenth West Virginia Infantry, in which company he served three years. He 
owns 117 acres of land on the hill above Queens, which he farms and on which 
he lives. 

JOHN LEWIS WALKER, a tanner, son of Burton and Fanny Walker, was 
a native of Franklin County, Va. Came to West Virginia in 1901 and after a few 
months was employed by the William Flaccus Oak and Leather Company in 
their tannery at Buckhannon, W. Va., where he has continuously worked smce. 
Married Anna L. Brooks, daughter of James Brooks, of Franklin County, Va. 

Children: Hattie, born July 25, 1899; Noma, born January 16, 1901 ; James 
Clayton, born January 25, 1903. 

' ALTA LEE WARD. Born May 20, 1883. Daughter of Elmore and Flor- 
ence (Lewis) Hyre. She married November 19, 1905, Lloyd W. Ward, cap- 
penter and blacksmith, son of D. M. and Olive Ward. 

FLORA COLUMBIA WARD. Born July 22, i860. Daughter of James 
Maxwell and Abigail Osborne, the daughter of Jacob Osborne and Rachel Farns- 
■worth, the daughter of James Farnsworth and Abigail Wilcox. Her father was 
the sen of Alvin Maxwell, of Doddridge County. Mrs. Ward was raised in 
Doddridge County, and married Lee Ward, of Barbour County, son of Anthony 
Ward, in 1885, October 6. Children: Audra C... born March 19, 1899; W. L. 
Ruskin, born 1895; J. Dressel, born 1897. She owns a farm of 120 acres in 
Barbour County and good properly on College avenue, Buckhannon. 

ELIHU W. WARE, son of John Ware, a soldier in Company E, 4th West 
Virginia Cavalry during the Civil War. His mother's maiden name was Malinda 
Pritt, of Albermarle County, Va., the daughter of John Pritt and Elizabeth 
White, who was the daughter of Isaac White. 

He was raised on a farm, and up until young manhood worked about here 
.and there, wherever he could find work and hire for the same. 

In 1880 he enlisted in the regular army of the United States at Columbus, 
C, for a term of five years, which was spent half and half in the ranks and in 
■the hospital corps. Afterwards he re-enlisted in the 3d Artillery, United States 
army, and remained a member of that company for two years, seven months 
and twenty-eight days, when he returned home. 

This last service was seen at Washington, D. C. During the years he was 
in the army he was sent to South Colorado to guard the pioneer settlements 
against the Indians. He is now a farmer and plasterer and temperance lecturer. 
His services in the army wrought so heavily on his health that in consequence 
he is now a pensioner of Uncle Sam. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 593 

He married Columbia Lewis, the daughter of Teter Lewis and Elizabeth 
Abbott, June i8, 1891. 

LOUISA ELIZABETH WARNER, daughter of Valentine and Malinda 
(Lewis) Hinkle. Born in Randolph County before the formation of Upshur 
County. Was married to John William Warner, January 22, 1874. To them was 
born Ida Jane, wife of Grant Jackson, and Wilbert Vane, born May 20, 1892. 
Her husband and son are farmers and teamsters. 

MARSHALL L. WARNER, son of George and Catherine (Simon) War- 
ner, born August 16, 1844. Was a drummer in Company K, loth West Virginia, 
enlisting the 18th day of August. 1862, and participated in seventeen battles. 
Namely: Beverly, Droop Mountain, Lee Town, Maryland Heights, Snickers 
Ferry, Winchester, Alartinsburg, Berryviile, Opaquan, Fishershill, Cedar Creek, 
Middletown, Hatches Run, Petersburg, Rices Station, Richmond and Appomat- 
tox. Was mustered out June 29, 1865, at Richmond, Va. 

Married Martha Ann Harper, daughter of Warwick G. and Jane (Hyer) 
Harper, September 10, 1865, and has been farming ever since. 

Children: Thomas, Annie May, William R., Alice, Wirt, Samuel, Mary, 
John J,, and George W. 

WILLIAM WASHINGTON WARNER is a farmer of Warren District. 
He was born June 4, 183 1. His parents were William Warner and Rebecca 
Davis, among the first settlers on the waters of Hackers Creek. He was a sol- 
dier in Company M. 3d West Virginia Cavalry; was honorably discharged after 
the close of the war, and is now drawing a pension for disabilities incurred during 
his services in that company. 

He married Celia Casto, daughter of David Casto, in 1857. Children : Vir- 
ginia, wife of Edward Queen ; Louvernia, wife of John Warren ; Victoria, wife 
of Josiah Lance; Violetta, wife of Jefiferson Post; Vesta, wife of William Rohr; 
Granville Martin, who married Mina Lance ; Sherman, married Blanche Rob- 
erts : David, Cain, Robert and Daniel, single. 

ENOCH L. WAUGH, farmer and merchant at Vandalia, W, Va. Bom 
May 19, 1843, in Pocahontas County, Va. When six months old his father moved 
to Buckhannon, where he was raised and lived until his marriage, September 
ir, 1866. His first wife's maiden name was Mary S. Teets, daughter of An- 
thony and Emma (Dix) Teets. Their children were: Mary, Emma C, wife 
of P. M. Allman; Zella M., wife of H. B. Davisson ; Ibby S., wife of S. B. Rig- 
gleman; Minnie L., wife of R. H. Davisson, and Elda L., unmarried. 

His second wife was Sarah M. Horner, widow of John Horner, and daugh- 
ter of James and Elizabeth Freel, to whom he was married August 20, 1905. 
Child: Martha Elizabeth, born October, 1906. 

Was a private in 1st West Virginia Light Artillery under Capt. A. C. Moore, 
enlisting August 12, 1862, and being mustered out June 28, 1865. 

Mr. Waugh after the close of the war was a farmer near the postoffice of 
Arlington on the Little Kanawha River, until his removal to Vandalia in the fall 
of 1905. 

JACOB WAUGH, bom March 8, 1812, in Pocahontas County, Va. Son 
of James and Rebecca (McGuire) Waugh. Moved to Upshur County in 1843. 
Was assessor two terms, sixteen years circut clerk and justice of the peace for 
many years prior to his death. 

His first wife was Mary Brown, daughter of Josiah and Jane Brown. Chil- 
dren : Brown M., married Emma R. Harris ; Leah, wife of John Fultz, and Dr. 



594 FAMILY HISTORY. 

P. A. Smith of Pocahontas County; Enoch L. M. married Mary S. Teets, John 
W. W. married Mary Smith, and Homer M., married MaHssa Morrison. 

Jacob Waugh's second wife was the widow Skinner, maiden name, Margaret 
Romine. 

WARDER W. WATSON, agent of the Singer Sewing Machine Company 
for Upshur County. Came to Upshur in 1894, settling near Newlon, and was 
in the hmiber'business there for several years. He is a native of Gihner County. 
His parents were Enoch G. Watson and EUen Boyers, the daughter of Leonard 
Boyers, of Highland County, Va., who came to Gilmer County before the war, 
and was a 107 years old at his death in 1900. 

He married Emma Crites, daughter of Abram and Rebecca Ann Crites, and 
the granddaughter of Abram Crites, Sr., and Wealthy Pringle. Her parents lived 
at Selbyville. 

He owns a residence on the Island in Buckhannon. Is a Democrat, a mem- 
ber of the U. B. Church and prides himself on his English blood. 

HOMER ROY WAUGH, born January 4, 1879, near Kanawha Head, in 
Upshur County, W. Va. Is the son of Homer M. Waugh and Malissa J. (Mor- 
rison) Waugh ; grandson of Jacob Waugh, a man well known in church and 
public life in Upshur County, and Mary (Brown) Waugh, whose grandparents 
were, respectively, Scotch and Irish. Malissa J. Morrison, the mother of the 
subject of this sketch, is of Virginia parentage. 

Homer Roy Waugh was educated in the public schools of his native dis- 
trict. Banks, and at the age of fifteen years entered upon the profession of teacher, 
and soon thereafter entered the West \'irginia Conference Seminary at Buck- 
hannon, as a student, where he graduated with the Reger class of 1901 ; of this 
class he was president and class orator. In 1901 he was elected superintendent 
and principal of the Sutton high schools, which position he held successfully 
for two years. In 1904 he completed the law course at the State University, 
and later in the same year was elected prosecuting attorney of Upshur County, 
which office he now holds. He is a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity of the 
A. F. and A. M., and is a Republican in politics; was married on the 17th day 
of October, 1905 to Eliza Poole Newlon, daughter of Dr. W. P. Newlon, a well 
known physician of Braxton County, and to this union there was born, October 
3, 1906, a daughter, Mary Newlon Waugh. 

WILLIAM L. WELLS, a farmer of Webster County, was born November 
13, 1856, in Marion County, the son of Dudley C. Wells and Louvernia Boor. 
His father was a Union soldier and was killed Sept 19, 1864. 

He settled in Webster County, twenty years ago, near the postoffice of 
Replete. 

He married Martha Crane of Wetzel County, daughter of Josiah Crane. 
Children : Dora Blanche, wife of John Springle; Grace, at home. 

JULIAN R. WEST, eldest son of T. M. West and Mary Newlon, of Tay- 
lor County. 

Born October 12, 1857. His grandfather came to Taylor County from Vir- 
ginia in 1796. He is a farmer, and Democrat in politics, and after his marriage 
to Alice Smith, in 18^5, he moved to Upshur County. Children: Freda, Edna, 
lean, Mary, Grace, Elsie, Oran, Madge. 

REV. G. G. WESTFALL. Among the pioneers of Randolph, Upshur, 
Barbour and Harrison Counties is found the German name of Westfall (West- 
pha.). their ancestors came to America from Germany, that portion known as 



FAMILY HISTORY. 595 

the Westfallen, and later known as the District of Westphalia, and settled in the 
German settlements of Pennsylvania and then to the country to the south branch 
of the Potomac. 

In 1772, James Westfall and a large family of children and grandchildren, 
came from the south branch of the Potomac and settled in Tygarts Valley, select- 
ing the site of the town of Beverly, and the sons settling in different portions 
of the country. This was at the time when Virginia was making the offer of 
exemption from taxation for fifteen years and 400 acres of land and a pre-emp- 
tion to 1,000 acres more adjoining, if the settler built a log cabin on the land 
and raised a crop of corn. 

Here the Westfalls found and buried the bones of the Files (Foyles) family, 
whom the Indians had killed nineteen years before, ( 1753). 

Here also on the lands of Jacob Westfall was built the Westfall fort in 1774. 

Family tradition has it that Jacob Westfall, prominent in the early history of 
Randolph County as a member of the first county court, first sheriff, first county 
Heutenant of the militia and second county clerk, was a son of James Westfall, 
the hardy German pioneer, who settled at Beverly. 

The subject of this sketch was informed by his grandfather, the late Col. 
Watson Westfall, that Jacob was the father of Zachariah Westfall, who was a 
boy of seven when his father and grandfather came to the valley. But he does 
not know who Jacob Westfall's wife was before her marriage. 

In 1788 Zachariah Westfall married Hanna Wolfe, an English girl, the 
daughter of the widow Wolfe. Later, after his father had moved to Kentucky, 
he left the valley and moved to Hackers Creek, Va., where he located a home- 
stead. 

The children of Zachariah and Hannah (Wolfe) Westfall, were George, 
Clark, Owen, Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Cutright ; one daughter, the wife of Mr. 
Casto, one, the wife of Mr. Queen, and Ruth, the wife of John Warner, and Han- 
nah, wife of Robert Love. 

George, the oldest son, was born in Randolph County, at the old Westfall 
homestead, on the 12th day of April, 1796, and at the age of twenty years, (1816), 
he was united in marriage to Ruhama Cutright, daughter of Abram and Susan 
(Bush) Cutright. 

The children of this union were: Watson, Martin, Eli, Oliver, Enoch, 
George, Fanny, Lydia, Rebecca and Celia. 

He was united in a second marriage to Ruhama Cutright, daughter of 

Isaac and Cutr'ght. To this union one son was born. Perry. 

Watson, the eldest son, was born in Lewis County, Va.. in the year 1818, and 
at the age of twent-one years was united in marriage to Rachel Tenney, daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Dorcas (Rohrbough) Tenney. 

The children of this union were : Jasper Newton, Samuel Tenney, George 
W.. Elizabeth, Granville Dayton, Oliver, Alvin B., Rebecca Ann and Catherine. 

Jasper Newton, the eldest son, was born in Lewis County. Va., on Turkey 
Run, at the Westfall homestead (now known as the Lewis Karrichoff farm), 
May 22, 1840. and in his twenty-first year was united in marriage with Jane 
Reese, daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth (Dooms) Reese, the pioneer Reeses 
who came to this county from Augusta County, Va., where Jane was born, O' 
tober 31, 1838. This marriage was solemnized at the home of Solomon Ref 
on Hickory flats, by the late Rev. Alford Lister, of 'he M. P. Church, o- 
third day of Janury, 1861. Gen. Henry F. Westfall, of Buckhanno" 



596 FAMILY HISTORY. 

witness of this marriage. To this union were bom eleven children : Cora Alice, 
born November 12, i86i;'Mary Elizabeth, born April 22, 1863; George Gideon, 
born August 4, 1864; Alonzo A., born December 6, 1865; Claudius LeRoy, 
born July 22, 1867; Lily Virginia, born March 27, 1869; Flora, born 
February 4, 1870; Charles Henry, born January 30, 1872; Ernest Jasper, born 
March 22, 1876; Ira Newton, born October 28, 1880; Mamie Jane, born May 
10, 1884. 

George Gideon, eldest son of Jasper Newton Westfall, was born in Upshur 
County, W. Va., on the east side of the Buckhannon River, on lands then owned 
by the Rev. George Gideon Westfall, now of Beaver Falls, Pa., after whom he 
was named. He received his education in the free schools of the county, the 
old Academy of Buckhannon and the Spencerian Business College of Cleveland, 
O., at which place he also taught in the penmanship department. He began 
teaching in the public schools at the age of twenty-one, and taught for fourteen 
years. In 1894, on August 16, at the age of thirty, he was married by the Rev. 
E. R. Powers, of the M. E. Church, South, to Enmia Alice Hamrick, daughter 
of Levi and Claranda P. (Wamsley) Hamrick, of Blue Springs, Randolph 
County, W. Va., where Emma Alice was born, March 17, 1874. 

The children of this union are five : Georgia Gresham, born July 14, 1895 ; 
Mary Maurine, born January 18, 1899; Watson Wesley, born April 17, 1901 ; 
Benton Bosworth, born June 9, 1904; Lillian Lucile, born April 8. 1906. 

In 1898 George Gideon became converted and united with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at Mt. Rupert. In the same year was granted a license to 
preach and entered the local ministry, doing supply work on the following 
charges : Cowen, Winifrede, Montrose, Junior and Newlon. 

From Jacob, the first sheriflf of Randolph County, down to the present gen- 
eration, the West falls have been held in high esteem by their fellow countrymen, 
and have repeatedly been elected to positions of honor and trust. 

REV. DANIEL WESTFALL, son of Rev. Samuel T. Westfall, born in 
Upshur County. W. Va., September 18, 1871. His grandfather, Watson West- 
fall was a preacher and son of George Westfall, son of Zachariah, son of Jacob, 
son of James Westfall, of Randolph County. 

His mother's name was Clarrissa Debar, daughter of William. His grand- 
mother was Nancy Reed. 

Daniel Westfall was a student, as a boy in common schools of Upshur 
County, and later attended the West Virginia Norma! and Classical Academy of 
Buckhannon, and still later he entered the West Virginia Conference Seminary 
at the same place. He taught school for seven years, beginning at the age of 
seventeen years. Yet he never taught on any other grade than a number one 
certificate. He was converted at the age of fifteen, licensed as a local 
preacher at eighteen years and joined the West Virginia Annual Conference 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1895. Since that time he has sevred two 
charges, and (he Thomas M. E. Church, being there seven years. Was sent to 
Sistersville, W. Va., pastor of the M. E. Church. No minister of the M. E. 
conference of his age has filled a greater number of more responsible offices 
ban he. Among others he has been treasurer, a member of the educational 
mmittee, and for the last two years has been a member of the board of ex- 
•ners. 

1895 he was married to Miss Hope Webb Thatcher, a daughter of a prom- 



FAMILY HISTORY. 59T 

inent minister of the West Virginia conference, her father being J. P. Thatcher 
and her mother Sarah A. 

Hope W. Thatcher was born July i6, 1873, in Oakland, Md. Children: 
Evangaline C, S. Marie., Charles T. Winifred G., D. Fowler, Richard Ward. 

Rev. Daniel Westfall is descended from a direct line of ministers from the 
time of the Wesleys. 

DORPHA STARK WESTFALL, section boss on the B. & O. Railroad, at 
Hampton, W. Va., was born September 17, 1873, the son of Eli W. Westfall and 
Olive Conley, and the grandson of Martin Westfall and Rebecca Warner. Great 
grandson of George Westfall, who was the son of Zachariah Westfall, who was 
the son of Jacob Westfall, who was the son of James Westfall. The subject 
of this sketch is a native of the county, was raiser on a farm until fifteen years 
of age, when he began sawmilling ; followed that trade for three years and then 
went at railroading. For several years he worked for the West Virginia and 
Pittsburg Railroad as a common laborer and was promoted to foreman August 
5, 1896, with his residence at Hampton. 

He married Hettie Rollins, daughter of Albert Rollins, July 2, 1894. 

Children: Eli Benjamin, born January 24, 1895; Emerson, born July 20, 
1901 ; Eula May, born March 27, 1906. 

HOMER H. WESTFALL, a farmer and teacher of Washington District, 
Upshur County. Was born April 2, 1875. Son of Samuel T. and Clarrissa 
(DeBarr) Westfall, grandson of Watson Westfall, who was a son of George, 
who was a son of Zachariah, who was a son of Jacob, who was a son of James, 
of Randolph County. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools and at the 
West Virginia Conference Seminary. Has taught school six years in Randolph 
and Upshur Counties. 

August 30, 1905, he married Esther L. Strader, daughter of .A.bel and Mary 
(Ours) Strader, and a granddaughter of Nicholas Ours. One child has been 
born to this union, Ocie Blanche. 

Mr. Westfall is a Republican in politics, a member of the M. E. Church, 
and his daughter is eight generations removed from the Westfall, who built West- 
fall fort at Beverly. 

To Mr. Westfall the author is indebted for the many valuable favors done him 
in his task of compiling the History of Upshur County. 

IRA BURTON WESTFALL, born August 17, 1872. Son of G. D. West- 
fall and Martha Ellen Day, daughter of Solomon Day and Hannah Harper. 
Grandson of Watson Westfall. 

The subject of this sketch was married to Ida Catherine Lowe, daughter of 
William R. Lowe and Martha Mowery, and their childrei are: Lotta, born 
September 29. 1898; Veda, born July 12, 1899: William Dayton, born Septtem- 
ber 5, 1901 ; Burton J., born July 23, 1903 ; Winnie Wilma, born February 9, 
1906. 

Mr. Westfall is a building contractor and an architect. His brother and 
sisters are : Ida, died in Illinois, in 1892 ; Leonora, wife of T. W. Hinkle ; Iva 
wife of A. M. Hughes; W. E., who married Mattie Bennett, daughter of Capta- 
Bennett, and Icy, typewriter for the Burnsville Grocery Company, Braxt 
County. 

MARY E. WESTFALL. daughter of Henry and Catherine (Scott) Ba- 
man. Born June 4, 1849, in Harrison County. Married Thomas We 



598 FAMILY HISTORY. 

soldier in the Civil War. To this union have been born ten children, six now 
living. 

Mrs. Westfall's ancestors on the Scott side emigrated from Monongalia 
County and were noted Indian fighters, and are the Scotts now living in Ran- 
dolph County. 

OPHA MARSHALL WESTFALL, son of EU Westfall, Jr. His mother 
was Samantha, the daughter of Andrew Lewis. His father the son of Martin 
Westfall, who was the son of George, who was the son of Zachariah, who was 
the son of Jacob, who was the son of James. Was born February 15, 1878. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, and on leav- 
ing the same became an employe of the B. & O. Railroad Company. Has been 
on the section for several years. He has good knowledge of machinery and has 
been employed as head sawyer for many portable mills. 

He married Elva Hinkle, daughter of Gay Hinkle, who was the son of An- 
drew, who was the son of Abijah, who was the son of Jonas. 

The subject of this sketch lives at Hampton and owns property there. 

His children are: Audry, Oils and Gail. 

WILLIAM M. WESTFALL, born May 27, 1873, son of Samuel T. West- 
fall and Clarissa DeBarr, and grandson of Watson Westfall, (for further in- 
formation see biography of Rev. G. G. Westfall). 

He is a mechanic, owns property in Buckhannon and married Lizzie Dam- 
aschky, February 23, 1896, the daughter of Gustave Damaschky and Emma 
Elizabeth Batz. Her father was a soldier in the Franco-Prussian War, and came 
to Upshur in 1885. He now lives at Pittsburg. Her mother is dead. 

John W. Damaschky was a soldier in Troop C, 5th Cavalry, in the Spanish- 
American War, enlisting in Chicago, and died July i, 1902, in the Philippine 
Islands, the body being brought back to California for interment. 

Children: Lulu A., born February 2, 1897; Mary E., born January 6, 1899; 
John William Russell, born May 9, 1902 ; Wilbert Samuel, born September i, 1904. 

SAMUEL WESTFALL was born February 18, 1832, son of John H. West- 
fall and the grandson of Cornelius Westfall, who was one of the first settlers 
in the County of Randolph. His mother was Elizabeth AHman. daughter of 
George Allman. He married Almira Casto in 1855, and has been farm'ng since 
his marriage, on Sand Run. 

Children: Millard Fillmore, David M., Warren D., Julia Frances. Samuel 
S., Minerva, Austin C. 

ZEBADEE WESTFALL, brickmaker and bricklayer, bom August 30, 
1863, on Grass Run. Son of Samuel Tenney and Clarissa (DeBarr) Westlall, 
oldest child in the family of eleven, all living. Farmed until twenty-two years 
of age, since followed his occupation as brickmaker in Buckhannon. 

Married Mary Catherine Simon, born June 26, 1863, in Barbour County, 
and daughter of Moses and Mary (Thompson) Simon. 

Children: Claude, born January 22, i884; Frederck, born August 18, 1885; 
Bessie, born July 30, i888; Audree, born October 23, 1890. 

JOHN WORTHINGTON WHEELER, merchant and farmer, Malta, W. 

^a. Born October 25, 1851. Citizen of Barbour County, son of .A.bram Wheeler. 

Idier in LInion army, and Elizabeth (White) Wheeler. Grandfather, John 

'eeler, was a Presbyterian preacher of England and emigrated to this country 

re the Revolutionary War, in which he was a soldier under Washington, 
^ present at the surrender at Yorktown. Grandfather was the owner of 



FAMILY HISTORY. 599 

twenty slaves, whom he liberated early in the nineteenth century for conscience 
sake. 

John W. Wheeler married Nannie Ours of Virginia, April 14, 1881. 

Children: F. E., R. O.. N. E., J. A., S. F. and B. F. 

DR. CUMMINS EDWARD WHITE, born January 9, 1869, on Freeman's 
Creek, Lewis County. Son of A. P. White and Mary C. Fetty; grandson of 
John White, for many years justice of the peace, and Katie Jackson, an own 
aunt of Stonewall Jackson. 

He was raised on a farm and attended the winter terms of school, after com- 
pleting the course in the public schools, he took a teacher's course at the Glen- 
ville State Normal, and in 1892 completed his course in medicine at the Balti- 
more University. Upon his graduation he went to North Carolina, located at 
Fall Creek of that State and practiced his profession three years. In 1894-5 
he was a student at Johns Hopkin University ; returned home and located at 
V'andalia, where he practiced until 1902, when he came to Buckhannon. He is 
director of the Peoples Bank of West Virginia ; was a promoter and is an officer 
of the City Hospital. 

His first wife was Daisy Bond, daughter of M. L. Bond, of Lewis County, 
whom he married May 20, 1896. Child: Ross B. 

His second wife was Minnie Carper Phillips, daughter of D. J. and Cathe- 
rine Heavener Carper, who he married August 31, 1905. 

IRA T. WHITE lives near Hope, Braxton County. Owns 183 acres of 
land, on which he lives and farms very successfully. He is a native of Upshur 
County. Born January 22, 1867, son of James Newton and Matilda (Ward) 
White, of Warren District. His mother was a daughter of Aquilla Ward. His 
father was one of the most progressive farmers of Upshur County, during his 
life time. 

The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, educated in the public 
schools and about the year 1891, moved to Braxton County. Previous to this 
Tiowever, he had been a music teacher in Gilmer and Braxton Counties and had 
learned to know and love these people and had availed himself of purchasing a 
farm. 

He married Ada F. Karickhoff, daughter of Samuel W. and Violetta A. 
( Casto) Karickhoff. His wife's mother was a daughter of Job Casto. 

Children : Frederick, French, Bulah, Rosa, Frena, Roy, Samuel, Pearl. 

GEORGE H. WHITESCARVER, son of John T. and S. E. (Sinclair) 
Whitescarver, born in Taylor County, West Virginia, May 31, 1868. The name 
Whitescarver is German, and is spelled in that country as Weisgerber, this be- 
ing a name as old as the Roman empire. For history records that this family be- 
long to the German tribes, who opposed the mailclad legions of Julius Caesar. 

Prior to the Revolutionary War and six generations back from the subjejct 
of this sketch, Frederick Weisgerber, or Whitescarver, left his German home, 
crossed the blue sea and settled in Rappahanock County, Virginia, being a man 
of means in Germany and bringing those means with him, who soon bought a 
large body of land on the Rappahanock River and maintained it in a manner 
"befitting his position and means. 

His son, Frederick W. Whitescarver, was born in America, and spent the lar- 
ger part of his life on the parental plantation, and there married a Miss Browning, 
a cousin of Zachariah Taylor, and of their children, one, John S. Whitescarver, 
was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He was bom in Culpepper 



600 FAMILY HISTORY. 

County, Va., October 12, 1804, and married a Virginia lady by the name of Eliza- 
beth Griffin, and to them were given eight children, two of them still living, 
George M. Whitescarver, of Grafton, W. Va., and John T. Whitescarver, ol 
Pruntytown, W. Va. John S. came to Harrison County in 1850, settled on a farm 
in ihe northern part of the county, and there lived till his death in 1896. 

The mother of the subject of this sketch is the daughter of James Sinclair 
and Rebecca Yates Sinclair, both members of well known families of Taylor 
County. 

The subject of this sketch was born and raised on a farm until twenty- two 
years of age; was a graduate of the public schools, and had taught one term in 
the publ'c schools of this county. 

In 1892 he came to Buckhannon and went into the mercantile business, run- 
ning a hardware store, and in May of that year was married to Ella Brake, the 
daughter of Hyre Brake and • Narcissus Bailey Brake. (See history of Brake 
family). To this union one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was given. She is now 
seven years old. 

In the fall of 1894, his store was entirely destroyed by fire, that swept the 
business section of Buckhannon. 

He engaged in shipping live stock for six years after this, and then went 
into the coal and timber business, and in this last enterprise has been associated 
with some of the largest transactions in Upshur and adjoining counties. He is 
a partner of his brother, B. F., in the Whitescarver Furniture Company of Buck- 
hannon. 

He is a Baptist in religion and a Democrat in politics. 

ASHLEW WESLEY WILFONG, a farmer of Union District, was bom 
December i, 1847, son of Henry Wilfong and Martha Pritt ; grandson of Henry 
Wilfong and the great grandson of John Wilfong. Legend has it that John Wil- 
fong, the great grandfather of the Wilfong family, when very young, was taken, 
raised and started into life by a German of Bath County, Va., and through grati- 
fication of an eccentricity of this German, who raised the boy, he was named, or 
rather, re-named, Wilfong, and what his original family name was, his descend- 
ants here do not know. 

The Wilfongs came to Upshur County in 1830, and settled on Big Sand Run; 
on which is known as the Day farm. The subjejct of this sketch was born in Meade 
District ; was raised in Washington District and educated there. He was raised 
a farmer and is now owner of 112 acres of land on Little Sand Run. He de- 
votes his time and attention to the handling and raising of livestock. 

He married Elizabeth Napier, daughter of Richard A. Napier and Nancy El- 
leton, natives of Albermarle County, June 13, 1871. 

Children: Maggie Bird, James A. Garfield, John Day, and Rebecca, wife 
of Bud Simon. 

Mr. Wilfong was a soldier of Company F, 17th West Virginia Infantry, en- 
listing September 7, 1864, and being mustered out in 1865. During his services 
he captured Lieutenant Long on Birch River alone. His duty as a soldier made 
him a scout in Nicholas, Webster and Braxton Counties. He is a pensioner of 
the United States. 

JOHN J. WILFONG was born in 1845 ; enlisted in the Union army in 
i86'^, on February 17, and served until June 13, 186^. He was discharged at 
Wheeling. W. Va. 

He is the son of Henry Wilfong, Jr., who was the son of Henry Wilfong, 



FAMILY HISTORY. 601 

Sr., of Augusta County, Va. In his father's family were twelve children, eight 
sons and four daughters. The subject of this sketch owns a farm of 72^/4 acres 
of land on Little Sand Run, in Washington District, Upshur County. 

He was married on New Year day, 1866, to Celia Eunice Wilfong, daughter 
of Frederick Wilfong and Magdaline Cu: right, whose family consisted of seven 
sons and three daughters. He is a Republican in politics and a United Brethren 
in Christ. 

ROBERT E. WILFONG, son of Henry and Martha (Pritt) Wilfong. 
Born at Ten Mile July 16, 1855. Father was a soldier in the Mexican War. 
Mother rode an elephant in the John Robinson circus, exhibited at Buckhannon 
in 1876. Married Clementina Williams, of Gilmer County, March 8, 1881. 

Children: Martha Catherine, Celia Ann, WiUiam Ashley, Henry Burton, 
John Sherman, Robert Roy, Opie Glenn, Mongolia, Olive, Violia, Jesse- Herbert 
and Frances. 

WILLIAM ALONZO WILFONG, son of Henry Wilfong and Martha 
Pritt, born January 9, 1853. Raised on a farm and is a farmer of Washington 
District. 

In 1877 he married Samantha A. McClelland, daughter of Ezekial McClel- 
land, of Harrison County, and their children are: Walter W., Hulda B., Annie, 
William S., Matilda B., Belva Gay, Charles H., and Creed Wilson. 

BOYD MORGAN WILLIAMS, son of Peter Williams and Sarah E. Lemon), 
the daughter of James Lemon, was born May 21, 1870. The father of this 
sketch was one of the first school teachers in Upshur County. He lived on the 
waters of French Creek and raised a family of thirteen children, of which Boyd is 
the youngest. The subject of this sketch owns two small tracts of land in Meade 
District. Is a Republican in politics, and a member of the M. E. Church, and is 
interested in fruit growing. His grandfather was Thomas Williams, of England, 
who came to Bath County, Virginia. On December 29, 1892, Boyd M. married 
Minnie G. Dotson, daughter of Jasper A. Dotson, of Ritchie County, and their 
children are six in number and named as follows: Norvell Earl, HaUie E., 
George Washington, Effie Blanche, Lulu Gray, and Rula Anna. 

CHARLES WILLIAMS, glassblower, son of John and Mary (Henshaw) 
Williams, of Harrison County, W. Va. His father was a soldier in the Union 
army, and lives in Braxton County. He came to Buckhannon in 1905. Married 
Hallie Hacker, a direct descendant of John Hacker, of pioneer reputation. 

Children : Manley J., Carl L., and Reed H. 

DANIEL M. WILLIAMS, native of Bath County, Va., born August 29, 
1837, son of Jacob and Sarah (Smith) Williams, who moved to Barbour County 
in 1847. ^is father dying in 1849, ^^ went to live with Enoch Hall, with whom he 
remained until 1857, when he married Margaret R. See, and unto this un-on were 
born ten children, four sons and six daughters: Jacob W., Tabitha, Rachel V., 
Daniel M., Charles A., James E., Mary F., Susan D. B., Annie J., and Emma. 

On the 23d day of August, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, 15th West Vir- 
ginia Volunteer Infantry; was in the Valley campaign and with General Crook 
in his raid on Lynchburg ; lost his health and was sent to a hospital at Gallapolis, 
O., where he remained till the war ended. He now draws a pension of twenty- 
four dollars per month. He is a Methodist in religion and a Republican in poh- 
tics. 

SAMUEL WILSON, born in 1802, in Highland County, Va. His wife, 
Emma Siron, was born in 1803, in Pendleton County. They were married De- 



602 FAMILY HISTORY. 

ceniber 24. 1827, and their eldest son was John Wesley, born February 23, 1830, 
two months before they moved from Pendleton County to Beech Town Settle- 
ment on French Creek, where John Wesley was raised, educated and lived. John 
Wesley Wilson married for his first wife, Sarah Chidester, November 16. 1854 
and they have eleven children : Martha Ann, Arminta Susan, William Page, 
Sarah Jane, Mary Emma, Clara Ella. Waitman. Wesley, Dowell, Washington, 
and Lincoln. In 1878 John Wesley married Hattie Bunten, and their children 
were: Wirt, Bunten, Bulah, Maud and Winfield Clay. 

Mr. Wilson was countv survevor of Upshur Countv one term. 

GIDEON HALL WILSON, 'born August 20, 1832. Son of Rev. Samuel 
Wilson, of Frenchton. He married November 23, 1859, Lydia iMargaret Curry, 
daughter of John Curry. To this union ten children were born : Emma Florence, 
Charles William, Edward Grant, George Jay. Lanham Oliver. Samuel Foster, 
John Curry, Isaac Gideon, Mary Lucetta and Anna Delzena. On Februarj^ 6, 
1862, he with his family settled on a farm on the head waters of Sand Fork, 
which fami escaped injury from the heavy frost in the year 1859, o" J'-i^e 5th. 

For a short while he was engaged with E. E. Curry, as partner, in the mer- 
cantile business at Centerv-ille. and were compelled to haul their goods from 
Clarksburg. In the year 1872 he moved to a place on the Little Kanawha River, 
of which Alpheus Rude was the first settler. Shortly after coming to this place 
he purchased the place, together with a grist mill and saw mill and continued in 
this business until it was destroyed by fire in the vear 1890. He then turned his 
attention to lumber, which he pursued. 

Mr. Wilson's politics were Republican, and church views Methodist. It was 
largely through his influence that a Methodist Episcopal church was built near 
his home, known as Wilson Chapel. 

.Mr. Wilson died .April 15, 1896, at the age of 59 years, after a successful 
life financiallv, and renowned for his generosity to the poor. 

EDWARD GRANT WILSON, a miller at Arlington, was born February 
8. 1865, the son of Gideon H. Wilson. 

He married Amy Rose'.la Lemmons, the daughter of .\. W. C Lemmons. 
who was born February 8, 1865, February 8, 1888, and their child is Mabel Cloe, 
born May 30, 1895. 

The subject of this sketch owns and operates a large flouring mill at the 
falls of the Little Kanawha River, known as the Fidler Mill Site, which was 
first occupied by the Daniel Peck Alill. His dwelling house is nearby, the rock 
that made the backwall of the chimney of the first house at .\rlington. known 
as the Peck house. Mr. Wilson also owns the mill site of the Rudes \Ul\ at Still- 
man, formerly owned by his father. G. H. Wilson. 

GEORGE WILSON, a farmer, born March 31, 1867. the son of Gideon 
H. Wilson. He was raised on a farm and in the lumber camps owned and op- 
crated by his father. 

He married Eleanorah Philli])s. the daughter of Wallace B. Phillips and 
Elizabeth Simmons, September 23, 1891. His wife was born May 13, 1874. 
Their children are: Willa Wanna. Wallace Hall. Stillman Hale, and Ruth May. 

Mr. Wilson has been more or less in the hauling business all his life and 
has owned many good teams. He was a merchant at Arlington for two years ; 
lived at French Creek for a time, and is now a resident of Banks District. He 
belongs to the M. E. Church and is a Republican in politics. 

CHARLES WILLIAM WILSON, son of Gideon H. Wilson, born June 29, 



FAMILY HISTORY. 603 

1862. His wife, whose maiden name was Nettie Frances Riggleman, was born 
February 10, 1867. Their marriage was celebrated March 15, 1890, and to them 
are given Oscar Jay, Elva Reta, John Brennie, Kermit Graden. 

Mr. Wilson is a farmer and teamster. 

MARTIN MORGAN WILSON, born April 7, 1842, on Sand Fork, Lewis 
County, and moved to Stone Coal, Lewis County, one year later. His parents 
were James and Dolly (Smith) Wilson. His mother was a sister of John E. 
Smith, and daughter of Peter Smith. Since young manhood he has been engaged 
in the livestock business, first as a horse buyer and seller, next as a cattle dealer, 
then as shipper of cattle and sheep and horses, and last as a raiser and producer 
of live stock. He moved to Buckhannon in 1898; having rented the Levi Leonard 
farm, north and south of town. 

He married Annie Fury, born August 14, 1856, and daughter of Harrison and 
Jane (Brown) Fury, October, 1879. 

Child: Ralph . . mi'lton Wilson, born July 13, 1884, and died March 8, 1903. 

VIOLA WIL )..'. wife of Charles Wilson, daughter of Jesse and Caroline 
(Bennett) Johnson. Born in Lewis County July 9, 1867. Came to Upshur 
County three years ago. Father of Charles Wilson was James Wilson, who died 
in the Southern prison during the Civil War. Married September 27, 1888. 

Children: Ernest A., born April 8, 1889; James F., born December 16, 1891 ; 
Jesse Clarence, born September 9, 1894; Hardie Bell, born August 12, 1897. 

GEORGE CARL WILT, a native of Lewis County, was born at Jane Lew. 
May 15, 1874. His parents were George D. Wilt and Martha M. Stanley. He 
has two brothers, J. Lee Wilt and June Stanley Wilt. He was educated in the 
public schools, whence he completed his education and took up the occupation of 
farming, which he followed until 1900, when he went on the road as a salesman. 

Not liking the road he engaged himself with a lumber company on the Buck- 
hannon River, and has been a lumberman in one capacity or other ever since. 

He married Lavinia Simon, daughter of Job Simon, May 9, 1889, and to them 
have been born Laura, Catherine, Dennis Ray, Arvey, Grover, Hattie Eunice, 
Plezzie Gordie, and Harold Keith. 

He is now living at Selbyville, W. Va. 

J. L. WILT, born August 27, 1867, in Lewis County, where he was raised 
on a famr. 

June 14, 1898, he married Gertrude Crawford, the daughter of James and 
Sarah Crawford, natives of Virginia, and their children are : James Audrey, Oral 
Long, Marion Wheeler. 

Mr. Wilt is a sawmill man and a machinist, usually known about the saw 
mill as head sawyer. He is a Free Masion and Democrat. 

ANDREW WOLFE, assessor of the Second District of Upshur County, 
was born November 27, 1859, near Hemlock, Randolph County. His parents 
were Thomas A. and Anna (Zickafoose) Wolfe. His grandparents were Abram 
Wolfe, of Rockingham County, Va., and Rachel McLaughlin, also of Virginia. 
His mother, Anna Zickefoose, was a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Simmons) 
Zickefoose. From 1884 until 1887 he was a teacher in the county, which pro- 
fession he gave up in the last named year, to go on a farm. In 1892 he was em- 
ployed by the Alexander Lumber Company as a carpenter, and worked for that 
company four years. He married Celia Olive Vangilder, January 30, 1883. Mr. 
Wolfe served as assistant assessor under H. B. Morgan 1888 to 1892, and was 
elected to his present position November 8, 1904. 



604 FAMILY HISTORY. 

Children : Sanford Eldridge, born December 5, 1883 ; Elbert Norman, born 
June 5, 1885; Jefferson Joseph, born June 21, 1887; Thomas Lincoln, born June 
28, 1889; Lulu Jane, born September, 21, 1891 ; Luther, born April 4, 1894; 
Lena Sophia, bom April 7, 1896; Freeman Andrew, born April 4, 1898; Francis 
Olen, born February 14, 1901 ; Harry Edward, born December 23, 1902 ; Jos- 
phine Pearl, born August 31, 1904. 

MARY BRIDGE WOODS, born in Augusta County, Va., March 12, 
1844. daughter of Jesse and Mildred Bridge, who emigrated to this country at 
the close of the Civil War, locating in the town of Buckhannon. Siie married 
Joseph C. Woods, son of Alfred and Mary (Coyner) Woods, November i, 1868. 
He died January 5, 1904. 

Children: Ettie B., Georde Robert, Alice Mildred, Liddie and Irvine Daniel, 
P>ayard and Fannie (dead). 

RANDALL PAOLIA YOUNG, saddler. Born January 31, 1858, near 
Rock Cave, son of Edward and Rebecca H. (Bartlette) Young, and grandson of 
Pascal Paolia and Samantha (Phillips) Young. Was a teacher in the public 
schools in the county one term ; married Manda Viola Ervin, who was born Jan- 
viary 26, 1854, and daughter of Edward Augustus and Mary N. (Beverage) 
Ervin, January 6, 1878. Wife's people came from Pocahontas County. Mr. 
Young has been in the saddle business for twenty-three years. On his mother's 
side he claims to be able to trace his ancestry back three generations to a full 
blooded Turk by the name of Bartlette. 

Children: Edwin A. Young, born January 18, 1880, killed at Clarksburg, 
June 25, 1899; Lora, born September 23, 1882, and married E. B. Moore, June 
14, 1905; Harvey R.. born December 9, 1884, died November 28, 1891 ; John E., 
born September 17, 1889; Noma M., born January 14, 1892; Virgie Clara, born 
May 5, 1895; Osa V., born June 14, 1897; Edna .\.. born July 25, 1899; Nellie 
R.. born November 25, 1902. 

FESTUS RALPH YOUNG, born March 16, 1883, son of Richard P. Young 
and L. P. Simmons, the daughter of Emanuel Simmons, who was captured at Rock 
Cave in 1863 and died in Andersonville. His wife was Lucy Smith. His grand- 
parents were Festus Young and Rachel Graham, and his great grandparents 
were Robert Young and Lydia Gould, the daughter of Nathan Gould, Sr., who 
Avas the son of Samuel Gould, Jr.. the son of Samuel Gould, Sr., the son of John 
(lould, the son of Zaccheus Gould, of England. 

Robert Young lived in England in the early part of the eighteen century, 
during the reign of King George I, and was a man of letters, for he wrote fre- 
quently for the king and his son Henry, who lived during the time of King 
George II. Was captured while boating along the English coast and pressed 
into the English navy, after seven years of service, during which the war between 
England and Holland occurred. He landed at Martha's Vinyard, Mass., and 
there settled, engaged in teaching and collecting paintings. Three times he 
endeavored to return to England and as many times was ship wrecked. Henry 
Young's wife was Lydia Ross, and their eldest son was Robert Young, their 
other children were : William Freeman, Annie, Cynthia, Elizabeth and Mar- 
garet. Robert Young married Lydia Gould. 

Richard P. Young was a soldier in the Civil War, in Company E, ist West 
Virginia Light Artillery. H^s children are: Two dead, one infant and Annie; 
livng. Loyal B., Clara J., wife of George S. Wilder ; W. Corwin, who married 
Lucy Perry; Bessie L., wife of Tracy Phillips, and Clyde and Festus Ralph, who 





ULYSSES GRANT YOUNG. 



A. B. CLARK. 




SEN. W. D. TALBOTT. 




A. M. TENNEY, Jr. 





ALBERT J. ZICKEFOOSE, 
Clerk of the Circuit Court. 




.TAMES DAILEY, .1. P. 


^^^'^"t 




Wr~M 


• ^1 




■ 


4k 




4 


4* 




f 


V ^ 




^^^^ 


WILLIAM TECUMSEH MARTIN. 


DANIEL O'BRIEN HALL. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 605 

was married to Grace Lance, daughter of William Lance and Dora E. Armstrong, 
the daughter of Harvey Armstrong and Margaret McCoy, on October 4, 1905. 

ROBERT LOCK YOUNG, born November 8, 1843, and married Mary 
Brown, who was born February 15, 1844, April i, 1865. 

Children : Sarah Rachel, born February 20, 1867 ; Margaret Elizabeth, born 
October 28, 1869; William Bascom, born December 19, 1873; Judson Bird, born 
October 10, 1876; Alfred Quillen, born August 29, 1879; Henry Edward, born 
December 29, 1882 ; Lillie L. Nora, born December 9, 1884. 

STILLMAN YOUNG is the first born and the only child living of Lyman 
P. and Elizabeth (Taylor) Young. His birth is fixed at January 16, 1843. 

At the age of nineteen he enlisted in the Union army and served therein until 
the close of the war, and about a year later, July 31, 1866, he was united in 
marriage to Luverna Martin, daughter of F. H. and Amy (Low) Martin. To 
this union have been born nine sons and three daughters, as follows : Amy E., born 
May 22, 1867; Amos, born August 27, 1868; Lyman W., born July 7, 1869; Hil- 
lery B., born July 7, 1869; Edwin C, born December 26, 1870; Sheridan, born 
March 19, 1872; Melvin R., born March 3, 1874; Ida Lucinda E., born March 24, 
1876; Sanford W., born March 18, 1878; Sophia P., born September 8, 1880; 
William L., born July 22, 1883; Stillman Ellis, born January 11, 1887. Also 
Bertha Reed, who was adopted by Stillman Young, as his daughter, at the term 
of the Circuit Court of Upshur County, born December 28, 1887, and has all 
rights under her adoption, which any other of the children have. 

Of his children, three are dead, viz: Amos, died September 11, 1868; Lyman, 
W., died May 29, 1870; Sheridan, died March 19, 1872. 

Of his children, seven are married, viz: Hillery B., to Alice M. Nixon, and 
to them has been given one child, living ; Amy E., to J. L. Helmick, September 
27, 1882, and to them has been given seven living children; Edwin C, to Mahala 
C. William, April 23, 1891, and to them are given six living children; Melvin R., 
to Emma R. Lee, June 22, 1892, one dead and five living children : Ida L., to 
Sidney E. Phillips, October 2, 1895. seven living children ; Sanford W., to Ada 
F. Ashworth, May 20, 1897, four living children ; William L., to Emma E. Kelley, 
July 29, 1 900, one dead and two living children. 

The subject of this sketch has been prominent in church and politics, and there- 
fore has held the following positions : Inspector of elections, one year ; constable, 
two years ; justice of the peace, 22 years ; and member of the House of Dele- 
gates of the West Virginia Legislature, six years ; has been an ordained local 
deacon in the M. E. Church twenty-five years, was on the Frenchton Circuit 
three years, and on the Buckhannon Circuit one year. 

He now resides at Gaines. Is a merchant and postmaster there. Gaines is 
a small village on the waters of the Little Kanawha River, of fifty inhabitants, one 
general and one millinery store, one saddle and one blacksmith shop. His mother 
is still living. 

HILLERY BROWN YOUNG, son of Stillman and Louverna (Martin) 
Young, was born July 7, 1869. He was a twin, and his mate, Lyman, died in in- 
fancy. 

He was married September 17, 1896, to Alice M., daughter of Thomas G. 
and Louisa Nixon. They have one child, Troy, bom August 25, 1898. 

Mr. Young has been engaged in business pursuits since boyhood, having 
been surveying at the age of fourteen years. He was deputy under John V. 
Tenney, county surveyor of Upshur County for four years. He has practiced 



606 FAMILY HISTORY. 

law in justices courts for twenty years. He was appointed notan.- public at the 
age of twenty-one years and has held the office ever since. He has for six years 
been successfully engaged in the real estate business, having landed several large 
coal and timber deals in this and adjoining counties. 

Mr. Young is a Republican, and as such has been secretary of the board of 
education of Banks District for several years ; is now a member of the Upshur 
County Republican Executive Committee. 

He is now a resident of Arlington. 

U. G. YOUXG is the fifth child of Joseph A. Young and Mary \'irginia 
Young, and was born January 22, 1865, in Harrison County, W. \'a. His father 
moved to Harrison County when fourteen years of age from Monroe County, 
W. Va. His mother was Mary \'irginia Griifeth, and was born in Augusta 
County, Va.. and came to Harrison County, W. Va., then \^irgfinia, several years 
before the war. 

U. G. Young is of Scotch-Irish descent on both sides of his family. His 
grandmother on his mother's side was a Wallace, and traces her ancestr>- back 
to Sir William ^\'allace of Scotland. When four years of age the father of U. G. 
Young left the farm and moved to Barbour County and engaged in the milling 
business at a village known as Peel Tree. \\'. \'a., where the father still lives. 

The subject of this sketch obtained his education in the common schools, 
then taught several years and attended the National Xormal University at Leb- 
onon. O.. graduating in the law department of that school in 1888: passed his 
examination in this State before Judges W. T. Ice, of Philippi , Henry Brannon. 
now of the Supreme Court, and Judge R. F. Fleming, and was licensed to prac- 
tice law and admitted to the bar in October of 1888, while Judge Hery Brannon 
was still upon the Circuit Court bench. 

U. G. Young located in Buckhannon. Upshur County. \\. \'a., for the prac- 
tice of his profession in the fall of 1888, and has been engaged actively as such 
from that date until the present time. He was married on the nth day of July 
1893, to Lillian Cecelia Pifer, of Buckhannon. He has three children, two daugh- 
ters. Mary Eugenia, born August 7, 1894 : Marjory Cecelia, bom .August 2^, 
1900. and one sone, Ulysses Grant, Jr., born July i, 1902. 

He is actively^ identified with the M. E. Church, a teacher in the Sunday 
school, etc. 

He is one of the original stockholders of the Traders" National Bank, or- 
ganized in 1892 , is one of its directors and vice president. He is also a stock- 
holder in the Peoples Bank of ^^'est Virginia, of Buckhannon ; he is also a stock- 
holder in the Citizens Trust and Guaranty Company of Parkersburg. W. \'a.. 
also the Citizens National Bank of Redlands, California, and a member of other 
corporations. He formed a partnership for the practice of law with J. C. Mc- 
Whorter in May. 1897, which continued until Judge McWhorter was elected to 
the Circuit Court bench in 1904. 

He was elected to the State Senate in the fall of 1894 and ser\'ed in the ses- 
sions of the State Senate for the years 1895 ^^^ 1897. 

ALBERT J. ZICKEFOOSE. circuit^ clerk, bom October 13. 1864. son of 
Samson and Mary E. (Queen) Zickefoose. whose children are: Jonas J.. .■Mbert 
J.. George D.. Littleton M., Lucinda, wife of James Hick-man. Susan, wife 
of Edgar Carpenter: H. A.. Delpha J.. Ulysses Grant. Viola, wife of Oscar Jones, 
and Parley P. and May. Raised on a farm, educated in the public schools and 



FAMILY HISTORY. 607 

Normal and Classical Academy. Ten years a teacher, justice of peace from 1893 
to 1897 : merchant from 1891 to 1902 ; ; circuit clerk from 1902 to 1908 ; writes 
fire insurance. 

Married Ida M. Morgan, daughter of Littleton T. and Sophia (Brake) Mor- 
gan, December 6. 1S96. 

Chi dren: Ray M.^bom April 10, 1901 ; Ruth, bom iNIarch 30, 1903; Ethel, 
bom April 28. 1905. 

HEASTOX S. ZICKEFOOSE, merchant at Xewlon, bom December 26, 
1881, son of George \\'. Zickefoose and Man.- Jane Light, and the grandson 
of Henry Zickefoose of \'irginia. He was raised on a farm and attended public 
schools during :he winter months, and when his father could spare him from 
farm work. At the age cf twent\- he set out to make a living for himself. Me 
entered upon the mercantile bus'ness at Home, near Hemlock, and as his ex- 
perience grew his ambition increased. He next kept store at Kedron, and is now 
in the mercantile business at Xewlon. 

He married Maud Koon, daugh'er of James K. P. Koon, in 1903, and to 
this un'cn have been given two children. Dana Clara and Waneta Ruth. 

OLR'ER JESSE ZIRKLE. born April 26. 1873, son of Oliver S. Zirkle. 
and Elizabeth Reed, of Barbour County-. Parents moved to L'pshur Count)' in 
1876. settling near Indian Camp, and began clearing forests and improving land. 
The subject of this sketch was raised on th's farm until young manhood, when 
he went forth to work for himself. In 1895, April 27, he married Lyda F. 
Hrover. daughter of Gideon Hoover. Their children are Arta iMay, iEdward 
Francis. Cora Bell. Dora Audna. Floyd. 

He owns 44 acres of land near Beans Mill. 



i_ 

E 



1 1 



